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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
racing; handle; breeders; award fund
(NOW: breeders' award fund; racing; handle)
Purpose
Allocates one percent of the total horseracing pari-mutuel pool monies to a nonprofit organization to award to Arizona-bred horses that place in races in Arizona and to promote the adoption of retired racehorses.
Background
In 2015, the Legislature established the Division of Racing within the Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) and transferred duties of the former Department of Racing into the Department of Gaming. The Division of Racing is responsible for the regulation and supervision of pari-mutuel horse racing and wagering conducted in Arizona including the issuance of racing permits (A.R.S. Title 5, Chapter 1).
Pari-mutuel wagering is a system of betting that provides for the distribution among the winning patrons of at least the total amount wagered less amounts withheld pursuant to statute. The handle is the total amount of money contributed to all pari-mutuel pools by bettors (A.R.S. § 5-101).
The Retired Racehorse Adoption Fund, administered by the Department, provides financial assistance to approved nonprofit enterprises to promote the adoption of retired racehorses (A.R.S. § 5-113).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Department to allocate one percent of the horseracing handle to a nonprofit organization that:
a) represents a majority of horse breeders in Arizona;
b) maintains a financial bond; and
c) has previously contracted with the Department to provide data, statistics and other information.
2. Directs the nonprofit organization to establish the Arizona Horse Breeders' Fund as a separate fund for the receipt of allocated racing handle monies and to use fund monies to
a) add monies to purses and provide purse awards to Arizona-bred horses that finish in first, second or third place in races held in Arizona; and
b) contribute a portion of monies to the Retired Racehorse Adoption Fund.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
LAG 2/21/19 DPA/SE 7-0-0-0
3rd Read 3/4/19 58-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 11, 2019
KN/gs