HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 177

BYRepresentatives Patrick, Crane, C. Smith, J. Williams, May, Brough, Lewis, Chandler, Nealey, Schmidt, Ferguson, Cole, Bumgarner, Silver and Schoon

Increasing horse racing commission to five members and providing for legislative members.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (8)

     Signed by Representatives Wang, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; R. King, O'Brien, Patrick, Sanders, Sayan and C. Smith.

House Staff:Joan Elgee (786-7166)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR FEBRUARY 25, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Horse Racing Commission regulates and licenses all horse race meets, owners, trainers, and jockeys.  The commission is composed of three members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate for six year terms.  One of the commissioners must be a race horse breeder of at least one year's standing.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Horse Racing Commission is expanded from three to five members, one new member to be appointed for a term ending in 1991 and the other for a term ending in 1993.  When making appointments, the governor shall consider geographic diversity.

Four ex officio legislative members shall also serve on the commission.  One shall be from each of the minority and majority parties of the house and the senate.  The ex officio members shall assist in the policy making, rather than administrative, functions of the commission, and shall collect data deemed essential to future legislative proposals and exchange information with the commission.  While engaged in commission business, the legislators shall be paid allowances from the Horse Racing Commission fund.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  A requirement that the commissioners represent the thoroughbred and other breeds is deleted.  Provisions requiring at least two of the members to represent both the east and west sides of the state is changed to a requirement that the governor consider geographic diversity.  Language specifying that the legislative members are to assist in the policy rather than administrative making function is added.

Fiscal Note:    Requested February 26, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Bob Dellenger and Doug Neyhart, Washington State Standardbred Association.

House Committee - Testified Against: Ralph Vacca, Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:     The Horse Racing Commission should be more equitable and support all breeds.

House Committee - Testimony Against: No changes in the commission are needed.  The bill restricts the governor and the additional administrative costs are unjustified.