Under the proposed amendments, the California Horse Racing Board maintains the discretion to decide on allocations of racing weeks for various types of horse racing including thoroughbred, harness, and quarter horse racing. Current stipulations highlight maximum allocations per zone, with thoroughbred racing permitted up to 44 weeks in the northern zone and 49 weeks in the combined central and southern zones. The allocation could also influence the operational efficiency of racing events by ensuring a balanced schedule across regions.
Summary
Senate Bill No. 879, introduced by Senator Wilk, aims to amend Section 19531 of the Business and Professions Code concerning allocations related to horse racing in California. The primary focus of SB 879 is to authorize the California Horse Racing Board to allocate racing weeks and conditions under which horse racing events can take place across different zones of the state. This bill proposes to make non-substantive changes to improve clarity and consistency in the existing legislation governing horse racing.
Contention
One notable aspect of this bill revolves around the allocation guidelines that restrict the ability of thoroughbred associations to schedule races if another thoroughbred association is conducting races on the same date within the same time frame in the southern zone. This regulation could be a point of contention among various racing associations vying for scheduling opportunities and could incite discussions on whether it adequately addresses the competitive nature of the horse racing industry in California.