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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
Arizona racing commission; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Arizona Racing Commission (Commission) for two years.
Background
The Commission
was established in 1949 and consists of five Governor-appointed members with
advice and consent of the Senate, two of which must have a financial interest
or substantial experience in the horse or harness racing industry. In 2015, the
Legislature established a Division of Racing within the Arizona Department of
Gaming (ADG) to work with the Racing Commission in regulating horse racing. The
Commission's duties include: 1) issuing racing dates; 2) preparing and adopting
complete rules to govern the racing meetings relating to the safety and welfare
of participating animals, the public health, safety and proper conduct of
racing and
pari-mutuel wagering and any other matter pertaining to the proper conduct of
racing within Arizona; 3) conducting hearings on applications for permits and
approving permits; and
4) conducting all reviews of applications to construct capital improvements at
racetracks.
The Commission must conduct rehearings on licensing and regulatory decisions and may hear any appeal of a decision made by the Director of the ADG. The Commission may obtain the services of the Office of Administrative Hearings on any matter that the Commission is empowered to hear. Additionally, the Commission may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books, records and documents, must establish financial assistance procedures for promoting adoption of retired racehorses and may certify animals as Arizona bred or as Arizona stallions (Laws 1949, Ch. 61; Laws 2015, Ch. 19; A.R.S. Title 5, Chapter 1, Article 1).
The Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water and House Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Joint Committee of Reference held a public meeting on January 11, 2024, to conduct a sunset review of the Commission and recommended that the Commission be continued for two years until July 1, 2026, or up to six years until July 1, 2030 (COR Report). The Commission terminates on July 1, 2024, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. ยง 41-3024.28).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2024, the Commission until July 1, 2026.
2. Repeals the Commission on January 1, 2027.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
House Action
LARA 2/5/24 DP 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/22/24 58-0-1-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 18, 2024
JT/MA/slp