LCO No. 3181 1 of 19
General Assembly Committee Bill No. 6048
January Session, 2021
LCO No. 3181
Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
Introduced by:
(PS)
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE OPERATION OF GREY HOUND RACING
IN THE STATE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsections (i) to (s), inclusive, of section 12-574 of the 1
general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 2
thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 3
(i) The commissioner shall adopt regulations governing the operation 4
of the off-track betting system and facilities, tracks, stables [, kennels] 5
and frontons, including the regulation of betting in connection 6
therewith, to insure the integrity and security of the conduct of meetings 7
and the broadcast of racing events held pursuant to this chapter. Such 8
regulations shall include provision for the imposition of fines and 9
suspension of licenses for violations thereof. [Prior to the adoption of 10
any regulations concerning the treatment of animals at any dog race 11
track, the commissioner shall notify the National Greyhound 12
Association of the contents of such regulations and of its right to request 13
a hearing pursuant to chapter 54.] The commissioner shall have the 14
authority to impose a fine of up to (1) seventy-five thousand dollars for 15
any violation of such regulations by a licensee authorized to conduct a 16
LCO No. 3181 2 of 19
meeting or operate the off-track betting system under this section; (2) 17
five thousand dollars for any violation of such regulations by a business 18
organization licensed as an affiliate licensee authorized to exercise 19
control over an association; and (3) two thousand five hundred dollars 20
for any such violation by any other licensee licensed by the 21
commissioner. The stewards or judges of a meeting acting in accordance 22
with such regulations shall have the authority to impose a fine of up to 23
five hundred dollars for any such violation by such licensee, and the 24
players' manager of a jai alai exhibition acting in accordance with such 25
regulations shall have the authority to recommend to the judges that a 26
fine should be considered for a player who may have violated such 27
regulations. The commissioner may delegate to the stewards and judges 28
of a meeting the power to suspend the license of any occupational 29
licensee employed in this state by an association licensee for a period 30
not to exceed sixty days for any violation of such regulations. If any 31
license is suspended, such stewards and judges of a meeting shall state 32
the reasons therefor in writing. All fines imposed pursuant to this 33
section shall be paid over to the General Fund upon receipt by the 34
department. Any person or business organization fined or suspended 35
pursuant to this section shall have a right of appeal to the commissioner 36
for a hearing that shall be conducted pursuant to chapter 54. Any person 37
or business organization aggrieved by a decision of the commissioner 38
following such a hearing shall have a right of appeal pursuant to section 39
4-183. 40
(j) The commissioner [shall have the power to] may require that the 41
books and records of any licensee, other than an occupational licensee, 42
[shall] be maintained in any manner which [he] the commissioner may 43
deem best, and that any financial or other statements based on such 44
books and records [shall] be prepared in accordance with generally 45
accepted accounting principles in such form as [he] the commissioner 46
shall prescribe. The commissioner or [his] the commissioner's designee 47
shall also be authorized to visit, to investigate and to place expert 48
accountants and such other persons as [he] the commissioner may deem 49
necessary, in the offices, tracks, frontons, off-track betting facilities or 50
places of business of any such licensee, for the purpose of satisfying 51
LCO No. 3181 3 of 19
himself or herself that the department's regulations are strictly complied 52
with. 53
(k) The commissioner may at any time for good cause require the 54
removal of any employee or official employed by any licensee 55
[hereunder] under this section. 56
(l) The commissioner may, on his or her own motion or upon 57
application, exempt any person or business organization from the 58
licensing requirements of this chapter or some or all of the disclosure 59
requirements of chapter 226b, provided the applicant does not exercise 60
control in or over an integral part of any activity which is authorized 61
under this chapter. The burden of proving that an exemption should be 62
granted rests solely with the applicant. The commissioner may limit or 63
condition the terms of an exemption and such determination shall be 64
final. 65
(m) Any person aiding or abetting in the operation of an off-track 66
betting system or the conduct of any meeting within this state at which 67
racing or the exhibition of the game of jai alai shall be permitted for any 68
stake, purse or reward, except in accordance with a license duly issued 69
and unsuspended or unrevoked by the commissioner, shall be guilty of 70
a class A misdemeanor. 71
(n) The majority of the membership of the board of directors of any 72
corporation licensed to operate the off-track betting system or to hold or 73
conduct any meeting within the state of Connecticut at which racing or 74
the exhibition of the game of jai alai shall be permitted for any stake, 75
purse or reward, shall be residents of the state of Connecticut. 76
(o) Any license granted under this section, other than an association 77
license authorizing the licensee to conduct a meeting or operate the off-78
track betting system, as described in subsection (a) of this section, or an 79
affiliate license authorizing the licensee to exercise control in or over an 80
association licensee, as described in subsection (e) of this section, shall 81
be effective for not more than one year from the date of issuance. Initial 82
application for and renewal of any license shall be in such form and 83
LCO No. 3181 4 of 19
manner as the commissioner shall prescribe by regulation. 84
[(p) Any person or business organization issued a license to conduct 85
dog racing shall establish a pet adoption program for the proper 86
housing and care of retired greyhounds and shall provide financial 87
support for such program and any facility operated to implement such 88
program. 89
(q) Any person or business organization issued a license to conduct 90
dog racing pursuant to subsection (c) of section 12-574c shall employ 91
persons who, at the time of employment, are recipients of assistance 92
under the state-administered general assistance program, state 93
supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family 94
assistance program or supplemental nutrition assistance program to fill 95
not less than twenty per cent of the positions created by the conversion 96
of a jai alai fronton to a dog race track if such persons have been trained 97
for such employment by public or publicly funded agencies in 98
coordination with such licensee. 99
(r) Any person or business organization issued a license to conduct 100
dog racing pursuant to subsection (c) of section 12-574c shall provide an 101
on-site child care center, as described in section 19a-77, for use by 102
employees of the dog race track. Such licensee shall employ persons 103
who, at the time of employment, are recipients of aid under chapter 302 104
or 308 to fill not less than fifty per cent of the positions at such child care 105
center if such persons have been trained for such employment by public 106
or publicly funded agencies in coordination with such licensee. 107
(s) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter to the 108
contrary, any person or business organization issued a license to 109
conduct dog racing may operate on a year-round basis and may conduct 110
such number of performances as it may elect, provided the total number 111
of such performances does not exceed five hundred eighty 112
performances in any calendar year.] 113
Sec. 2. Section 12-574c of the general statutes is repealed and the 114
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 115
LCO No. 3181 5 of 19
(a) The Department of Consumer Protection shall not issue a license 116
authorizing any person, firm, corporation or association to conduct 117
horse racing [, dog racing] or jai alai events. 118
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 119
the department may renew any license issued prior to May 23, 1979, to 120
conduct horse racing or jai alai events or issue such a license to a 121
currently operating facility. 122
[(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 123
the department may, on or after July 5, 1991, issue one additional license 124
authorizing a person or business organization to conduct dog racing to 125
a person or business organization holding a license to conduct jai alai 126
events or to the successor of such business organization upon the 127
surrender of the license to conduct jai alai events.] 128
[(d)] (c) No licensee shall move any horse race track [, dog race track] 129
or jai alai fronton to any municipality other than the municipality in 130
which such facility was located on July 5, 1991. 131
Sec. 3. Section 12-574a of the general statutes is repealed and the 132
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 133
(a) Whenever a person or business organization files an application 134
with the department for a license to conduct an activity regulated by 135
section 12-574, as amended by this act, exclusive of renewal license 136
applications, the department shall forward within five days to the town 137
clerk of the town within which such activity is proposed to be carried 138
on a statement specifying the prospective applicant, the proposed 139
activity, the site on which such activity is proposed to be conducted and 140
the fact that an application has been filed with the department. Within 141
ten days after such statement has been filed, such town clerk shall cause 142
notice of such filing to be published in a newspaper having a circulation 143
in the town wherein the activity is to be conducted. The question of the 144
approval of the conducting of such activity shall be submitted to the 145
electors of such town at a special election called for the purpose to be 146
held not less than thirty nor more than sixty days after such publication, 147
LCO No. 3181 6 of 19
in conformity with the provisions of section 9-369, or at a regular town 148
election if such election is to be held more than sixty but not more than 149
one hundred twenty days after such publication, such question shall be 150
so submitted and the vote shall be taken in the manner prescribed by 151
said section 9-369. The town clerk shall notify the department of the 152
results of such election. The disapproval of the conducting of such 153
activity by a majority of those voting on the question shall be a bar to 154
the granting of a license to such applicant to conduct such activity at 155
such location. All costs incurred by a municipality in connection with 156
such referendum shall be paid to said municipality by the person or 157
business organization filing such application for such license. The 158
provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any licensee authorized 159
to operate the off-track betting system with respect to any off-track 160
betting facility approved prior to June 25, 1993. 161
(b) No licensee may conduct any horse racing or jai alai event on any 162
Sunday without the prior approval of the legislative body of the town 163
in which the event is scheduled to take place. 164
(c) No licensee authorized to operate the off-track betting system may 165
conduct any off-track pari-mutuel wagering on any racing program on 166
any Sunday without the prior approval of the legislative body of the 167
town in which such off-track betting facility is located. 168
[(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 169
the prior approval of the legislative body only of the town shall be 170
required in the event the department issues a license pursuant to 171
subsection (c) of section 12-574c.] 172
Sec. 4. Section 12-575 of the general statutes is repealed and the 173
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 174
(a) The department may permit at racing events, exhibitions of the 175
game of jai alai licensed under the provisions of this chapter or at off-176
track betting facilities, betting under a pari-mutuel system, so called, 177
including standard pari-mutuel, daily double, exacta, quinella, trifecta, 178
superfecta, twin trifecta, pick four and pick six betting, and such other 179
LCO No. 3181 7 of 19
forms of multiple betting as the department may determine. 180
(b) The pari-mutuel system, so called, shall not be used or permitted 181
at any location other than the race track at which the racing event is 182
licensed to be conducted or the fronton at which the game of jai alai is 183
licensed to be played or at an off-track betting facility operated by the 184
department or by a licensee authorized to operate the off-track betting 185
system. A computerized electronic totalizator system, approved by the 186
commissioner, shall be used to conduct pari-mutuel wagering at each 187
racing or jai alai event. A computerized electronic totalizator system 188
approved by the commissioner and, where authorized by subsection (b) 189
of section 12-571a, and approved by the commissioner, a simulcast 190
system shall be used to conduct pari-mutuel wagering and simulcasting 191
of off-track betting race programs at off-track betting facilities. The 192
commissioner may require any licensee to submit information 193
concerning the daily operation of such totalizator or simulcast system 194
which [he] the commissioner deems necessary for the effective 195
administration of this chapter, including records of all wagering 196
transactions, in such form and manner as [he shall prescribe] the 197
commissioner prescribes. 198
(c) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, each 199
licensee conducting horse racing events under the pari-mutuel system 200
shall distribute all sums deposited in any pari-mutuel program to the 201
holders of winning tickets therein, less seventeen per cent of the total 202
deposits plus the breakage to the dime of the amount so retained [;] and 203
each licensee conducting jai alai events shall distribute all sums 204
deposited in any pari-mutuel program to the holders of winning tickets 205
therein, less a maximum of eighteen per cent of the deposits in the win, 206
place or show pools and less a maximum of twenty-three per cent of the 207
deposits in all other pools plus the breakage to the dime of the amount 208
so retained. [; each licensee conducting dog racing events shall 209
distribute all sums deposited in any pari-mutuel program to the holders 210
of winning tickets therein, less a maximum of nineteen per cent of the 211
deposits in the win, place or show pools and less a maximum of twenty-212
seven per cent of the deposits in all other pools plus the breakage to the 213
LCO No. 3181 8 of 19
dime of the amount so retained, or, shall distribute all sums deposited 214
in all of its pari-mutuel programs conducted on any day to the holders 215
of winning tickets therein less twenty per cent of the total deposits plus 216
the breakage to the dime of the amount so retained, provided on and 217
after July 1, 1992, each licensee conducting dog racing events on July 5, 218
1991, shall allocate four per cent of all sums deposited in any pari-219
mutuel program to purses, one-quarter of one per cent to capital 220
expenditures for alterations, additions, replacement changes, 221
improvements or major repairs to or upon the property owned or leased 222
by any such licensee and used for such racing events, and one-quarter 223
of one per cent to promotional marketing, to reduce the costs of 224
admission, programs, parking and concessions and to offer 225
entertainment and giveaways. Each licensee conducting dog racing 226
events shall, on an annual basis, submit to the department certified 227
financial statements verifying the use of such allocations for purses, 228
capital improvements and promotional marketing.] 229
(2) Each licensee conducting horse racing or jai alai events may carry 230
over all or a portion of the sums deposited in any pari-mutuel program, 231
less the amount retained as herein provided, in the twin trifecta, pick 232
four or pick six pari-mutuel pool to another pool, including a pool in a 233
succeeding performance. 234
(d) Each licensee conducting horse racing events under the pari-235
mutuel system shall pay to the state, and there is hereby imposed: (1) A 236
tax on the total money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool on each and 237
every day the licensee conducts racing events, pursuant to the following 238
schedule: 239
T1 Total Wagered Tax
T2 0 to $100,001 3.25% on the entire pool
T3 $100,001 to $200,001 3.75% on the entire pool
T4 $200,001 to $300,001 4.25% on the entire pool
T5 $300,001 to $400,001 4.75% on the entire pool
LCO No. 3181 9 of 19
T6 $400,001 to $500,001 5.25% on the entire pool
T7 $500,001 to $600,001 5.75% on the entire pool
T8 $600,001 to $700,001 6.25% on the entire pool
T9 $700,001 to $800,001 6.75% on the entire pool
T10 $800,001 to $900,001 7.25% on the entire pool
T11 $900,001 to $1,000,001 7.75% on the entire pool
T12 $1,000,001 and over 8.75% on the entire pool
and (2) a tax equal to one-half of the breakage to the dime resulting 240
from such wagering. The commissioner shall by regulation adopted in 241
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 designate the percentage 242
of the difference between the seventeen per cent specified in subsection 243
(c) of this section and the tax specified in this subsection, which shall be 244
allocated as prize or purse money for the horses racing at each facility. 245
[(e) Each licensee conducting dog racing events under the pari-246
mutuel system shall pay to the state, and there is hereby imposed: (1) 247
(A) A tax at the rate of two per cent on the total money wagered in the 248
pari-mutuel pool on each and every day the licensee conducts racing 249
events or (B) on or after July 1, 1993, in the case of any licensee licensed 250
prior to July 5, 1991, (i) a tax at the rate of two per cent on any amount 251
up to and including fifty million dollars of the total money wagered in 252
the pari-mutuel pool in any state fiscal year during which a licensee 253
licensed prior to July 5, 1991, conducts racing events, (ii) a tax at the rate 254
of three per cent on any amount in excess of fifty million dollars and up 255
to and including eighty million dollars of the total money wagered in 256
the pari-mutuel pool in any state fiscal year during which a licensee 257
licensed prior to July 5, 1991, conducts racing events, and (iii) a tax at 258
the rate of four per cent on any amount in excess of eighty million 259
dollars of the total money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool in any state 260
fiscal year during which a licensee licensed prior to July 5, 1991, 261
conducts racing events, and (2) a tax equal to one-half of the breakage 262
to the dime resulting from such wagering.] 263
[(f)] (e) Each licensee operating a fronton at which the game of jai alai 264
LCO No. 3181 10 of 19
is licensed to be played under the pari-mutuel system shall pay to the 265
state and there is hereby imposed: (1) (A) A tax at the rate of two per 266
cent on any amount up to and including fifty million dollars of the total 267
money wagered on such games, (B) a tax at the rate of three per cent of 268
any amount in excess of fifty million dollars and up to and including 269
eighty million dollars of the total money wagered on such games, and 270
(C) a tax at the rate of four per cent on any amount in excess of eighty 271
million dollars of the total money wagered on such games, and (2) a tax 272
equal to one-half of the breakage to the dime resulting from such 273
wagering. 274
[(g)] (f) The licensee authorized to operate the system of off-track 275
betting under the pari-mutuel system shall pay to the state and there is 276
hereby imposed: (1) A tax at the rate of three and one-half per cent on 277
the total money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool on each and every day 278
the licensee broadcasts racing events, and (2) a tax equal to one-half of 279
the breakage to the dime resulting from such wagering. 280
[(h)] (g) The commissioner shall assess and collect the taxes imposed 281
by this chapter under such regulations as [he] the commissioner may 282
prescribe, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. All taxes 283
hereby imposed shall be due and payable by the close of the next 284
banking day after each day's racing or jai alai exhibition. If any such tax 285
is not paid when due, the commissioner shall impose a delinquency 286
assessment upon the licensee in the amount of ten per cent of such tax 287
or ten dollars, whichever amount is greater, plus interest at the rate of 288
one and one-half per cent of the unpaid principal of such tax for each 289
month or fraction of a month from the date such tax is due to the date of 290
payment. Subject to the provisions of section 12-3a, the commissioner 291
may waive all or part of the penalties provided under this subsection 292
when it is proven to [his] the commissioner's satisfaction that the failure 293
to pay such tax within the time required was due to reasonable cause 294
and was not intentional or due to neglect. Failure to pay any such 295
delinquent tax upon demand may be considered by the commissioner 296
as cause for revocation of license. 297
LCO No. 3181 11 of 19
[(i)] (h) The commissioner shall devise a system of accounting and 298
shall supervise betting at such track, fronton or off-track betting facility 299
in such manner that the rights of the state are protected and shall collect 300
all fees and licenses under such regulations as [he] the commissioner 301
shall prescribe, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. 302
[(j)] (i) The amount of unclaimed moneys, as determined by the 303
commissioner, held by any licensee other than by licensees authorized 304
to operate a jai alai fronton [, dog race track] or the off-track betting 305
system on account of outstanding and uncashed winning tickets, shall 306
be due and payable to the commissioner, for deposit in the General Fund 307
of the state, at the expiration of one year after the close of the meeting 308
during which such tickets were issued. If any such unclaimed moneys 309
are not paid when due, the commissioner shall impose a delinquency 310
assessment upon the licensee in the amount of ten per cent of such 311
moneys or ten dollars, whichever amount is greater, plus interest at the 312
rate of one and one-half per cent of the unpaid principal of such moneys 313
for each month or fraction of a month from the date such moneys are 314
due to the date of payment. Subject to the provisions of section 12-3a, 315
the commissioner may waive all or part of the penalties provided under 316
this subsection when it is proven to [his] the commissioner's satisfaction 317
that the failure to pay such moneys to the state within the time required 318
was due to reasonable cause and was not intentional or due to neglect. 319
[(k)] (j) The commissioner may authorize deputies and the 320
Commissioner of Revenue Services or his or her agents are authorized 321
to enter upon the premises at any horse racing event, jai alai exhibition 322
or off-track betting race event for the purpose of inspecting books and 323
records, supervising and examining cashiers, ticket sellers, pool sellers 324
and other persons handling money at said event and such other 325
supervision as may be necessary for the maintenance of order at such 326
event. 327
[(l)] (k) (1) The commissioner shall pay each municipality in which a 328
horse race track is located, one-quarter of one per cent of the total money 329
wagered on horse racing events at such race track, except the 330
LCO No. 3181 12 of 19
commissioner shall pay each such municipality having a population in 331
excess of fifty thousand one per cent of the total money wagered at such 332
horse racing events in such municipality. The commissioner shall pay 333
each municipality in which a jai alai fronton [or dog race track] is located 334
one-half of one per cent of the total money wagered on jai alai games [or 335
dog racing events] at such fronton, [or dog race track,] except the 336
commissioner shall pay each such municipality having a population in 337
excess of fifty thousand one per cent of the total money wagered on jai 338
alai games [or dog racing events] at such fronton [or dog race track] 339
located in such municipality. The commissioner shall pay each 340
municipality in which an off-track betting facility is located one and 341
three-fifths per cent of the total money wagered in such facility less 342
amounts paid as refunds or for cancellations. The commissioner shall 343
pay to both the city of New Haven and the town of Windsor Locks an 344
additional one-half of one per cent of the total money wagered less any 345
amount paid as a refund or a cancellation in any facility equipped with 346
screens for simulcasting after October 1, 1997, located within a fifteen-347
mile radius of facilities in New Haven and Windsor Locks. Payment 348
shall be made not less than four times a year and not more than twelve 349
times a year as determined by the commissioner, and shall be made 350
from the tax imposed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section for horse 351
racing, subsection (e) of this section [for dog racing, subsection (f) of this 352
section] for jai alai games and subsection [(g)] (f) of this section for off-353
track betting. (2) [If, for any calendar year after the surrender of a license 354
to conduct jai alai events by any person or business organization 355
pursuant to subsection (c) of section 12-574c and prior to the opening of 356
any dog race track by such person or business organization, any other 357
person or business organization licensed to conduct jai alai events is 358
authorized to conduct a number of performances greater than the 359
number authorized for such licensee in the previous calendar year, the 360
commissioner shall pay the municipality in which the jai alai fronton for 361
which such license was surrendered was located, rather than the 362
municipality in which the jai alai fronton conducting the increased 363
performances is located, one-half of one per cent of the total money 364
wagered on jai alai games for such increased performances at the 365
LCO No. 3181 13 of 19
fronton which conducted the additional performances, except the 366
commissioner shall pay each such municipality having a population in 367
excess of fifty thousand one per cent of the total money wagered on jai 368
alai games for such increased performances at such fronton. (3) During 369
any state fiscal year ending on or after June 30, 1993, the commissioner 370
shall pay each municipality in which a dog race track was operating 371
prior to July 5, 1991, one per cent of the total money wagered on dog 372
racing events at such dog race track. (4) During the state fiscal year 373
ending June 30, 2001, each municipality in which a dog race track was 374
operating prior to July 5, 1991, shall pay the Northeast Connecticut 375
Economic Alliance, Inc. two-tenths of one per cent of the total money 376
wagered on dog racing events at any dog race track operating prior to 377
July 5, 1991. (5)] In the event a licensee incurs a loss from the operation 378
of a pari-mutuel facility, as determined by the commissioner, the 379
legislative body of the city or town in which such facility is located may 380
direct the commissioner to credit or rebate all or a part of the revenue 381
otherwise due to the municipality back to the facility. In no case shall 382
such credit and such reimbursement exceed the amount of the licensee's 383
loss, and in no fiscal year shall these provisions affect the total fees paid 384
to the state by the authorized operator of the off-track betting system on 385
its off-track betting activities. 386
Sec. 5. Section 12-578 of the general statutes is repealed and the 387
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 388
(a) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the 389
provisions of chapter 54, governing registration and the issuance and 390
annual renewal of licenses and payment of annual nonrefundable 391
application fees for the same in accordance with the following schedule: 392
(1) Registration: (A) Stable name, one hundred dollars; (B) 393
partnership name, one hundred dollars; and (C) colors, twenty dollars. 394
[; (D) kennel name, one hundred dollars.] 395
(2) Licenses: (A) Owner, one hundred dollars; (B) trainer, one 396
hundred dollars; (C) assistant trainer, one hundred dollars; (D) jockey, 397
forty dollars; (E) jockey agent, for each jockey, one hundred dollars; (F) 398
LCO No. 3181 14 of 19
stable employees, including exercise boy, groom, stable foreman, hot 399
walker, outrider, twenty dollars; (G) veterinarian, one hundred dollars; 400
(H) jockey apprentice, forty dollars; (I) driver, one hundred dollars; (J) 401
valet, twenty dollars; (K) blacksmith, twenty dollars; (L) plater, twenty 402
dollars; (M) concessionaire, for each concession, two hundred fifty 403
dollars; (N) concessionaire affiliate, for each concession of the 404
concessionaire, two hundred fifty dollars; (O) concession employees, 405
twenty dollars; (P) jai alai players, one hundred dollars; (Q) officials and 406
supervisors, one hundred dollars; (R) pari-mutuel employees, forty 407
dollars; (S) other personnel engaged in activities regulated under this 408
chapter, twenty dollars; (T) vendor, for each contract, two hundred fifty 409
dollars; (U) totalizator, for each contract, two hundred fifty dollars; (V) 410
vendor and totalizator affiliates, for each contract of the vendor or 411
totalizator, two hundred fifty dollars; (W) gaming employee, forty 412
dollars; (X) nongaming vendor, two hundred fifty dollars; (Y) gaming 413
services, five hundred dollars; and (Z) gaming affiliate, two hundred 414
fifty dollars. For the purposes of this subdivision, "concessionaire 415
affiliate" means a business organization, other than a shareholder in a 416
publicly traded corporation, that may exercise control in or over a 417
concessionaire; and "concessionaire" means any individual or business 418
organization granted the right to operate an activity at [a dog race track 419
or] an off-track betting facility for the purpose of making a profit that 420
receives or, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment, can be 421
expected to receive more than twenty-five thousand dollars or twenty-422
five per cent of its gross annual receipts from such activity at such [track 423
or] facility. 424
(b) The commissioner shall require each applicant for a license under 425
subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section to submit to state and 426
national criminal history records checks before such license is issued. 427
The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection 428
shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. 429
Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 12-572 of the general statutes is 430
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 431
1, 2021): 432
LCO No. 3181 15 of 19
(a) The commissioner may establish or authorize the establishment of 433
such off-track betting facilities throughout the state for the purpose of 434
receiving moneys wagered on the results of races or jai alai games as [he 435
shall deem] the commissioner deems will serve the convenience of the 436
public and provide maximum economy and efficiency of operation, 437
provided the establishment of such a facility in any municipality for the 438
purpose of receiving moneys on the results of races or jai alai games 439
shall be subject to the approval of the legislative body of such 440
municipality which shall be given only after a public hearing on the 441
same. Until the effective date of transfer of ownership of the off-track 442
betting system, moneys received at such facilities shall be deposited in 443
a betting fund from which daily payments, in such amount as the 444
commissioner deems suitable, shall be made. If an operator of an off-445
track betting facility intends to conduct wagering on [dog racing events 446
or] jai alai games, such operator (1) shall conduct wagering on [dog 447
racing events or] jai alai games conducted by any association licensee 448
which offers such [racing events or] games for off-track betting, 449
provided such operator obtains the written consent of such licensee, and 450
(2) may conduct wagering on out-of-state [dog racing events or] jai alai 451
games when no such association licensee is conducting such [racing 452
events or] games, provided such operator has complied with the 453
provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection. No operator of an off-454
track betting facility shall conduct wagering on any [dog racing event 455
or] jai alai game if such [racing event or] game is conducted within forty 456
miles of such facility unless such operator has obtained the written 457
consent of the licensee conducting such [racing event or] game. An 458
operator of an off-track betting facility may conduct wagering on out-459
of-state dog racing events. 460
Sec. 7. Section 12-559 of the general statutes is repealed and the 461
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 462
The commissioner may employ stewards for thoroughbred racing, 463
judges for harness racing [, greyhound racing] and jai alai, and 464
veterinarians who shall be exempt from classified service, and may 465
employ, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, such other employees as 466
LCO No. 3181 16 of 19
may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The 467
commissioner shall require such persons to submit to state and national 468
criminal history records checks before being employed. The criminal 469
history records checks required pursuant to this section shall be 470
conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. All persons employed 471
pursuant to this section, with the exception of any steward, judge or 472
veterinarian, shall be residents of the state at the time of and during the 473
full term of their employment. 474
Sec. 8. Subsection (b) of section 17a-713 of the general statutes is 475
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 476
1, 2021): 477
(b) The program established by subsection (a) of this section shall be 478
funded by imposition of: (1) A fee of one hundred thirty-five dollars on 479
each association license, for each performance of jai alai [or dog racing] 480
conducted under the provisions of chapter 226, provided no such 481
licensee shall contribute more than forty-five thousand dollars in any 482
one year; (2) a fee of twenty-five dollars for each teletheater performance 483
on each operator of a teletheater facility; and (3) the amount received 484
from the Connecticut Lottery Corporation pursuant to section 12-818. 485
The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall collect the fee from 486
each association licensee or such operator on a monthly basis. The 487
receipts shall be deposited in the General Fund and credited to a 488
separate, nonlapsing chronic gamblers treatment and rehabilitation 489
account which shall be established by the Comptroller. All moneys in 490
the account are deemed to be appropriated and shall be expended for 491
the purposes established in subsection (a) of this section. 492
Sec. 9. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 19a-342 of the 493
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 494
thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 495
(b) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 31-40q, no person 496
shall smoke: (A) In any building or portion of a building, partially 497
enclosed shelter on a rail platform or bus shelter owned and operated 498
or leased and operated by the state or any political subdivision thereof; 499
LCO No. 3181 17 of 19
(B) in any area of a health care institution; (C) in any area of a retail food 500
store; (D) in any restaurant; (E) in any area of an establishment with a 501
permit issued for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-20a, 502
30-21, 30-21b, 30-22, 30-22c, 30-28, 30-28a, 30-33a, 30-33b, 30-35a, 30-37a, 503
30-37e or 30-37f, in any area of an establishment with a permit for the 504
sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-23 issued after May 1, 505
2003, and, on and after April 1, 2004, in any area of an establishment 506
with a permit issued for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 507
30-22a or 30-26 or the bar area of a bowling establishment holding a 508
permit pursuant to subsection (a) of section 30-37c; (F) within a school 509
building or on the grounds of such school; (G) within a child care facility 510
or on the grounds of such child care facility, except, if the child care 511
facility is a family child care home, as defined in section 19a-77, such 512
smoking is prohibited only when a child enrolled in such home is 513
present; (H) in any passenger elevator, provided no person shall be 514
arrested for violating this subsection unless there is posted in such 515
elevator a sign which indicates that smoking is prohibited by state law; 516
(I) in any dormitory in any public or private institution of higher 517
education; or (J) on and after April 1, 2004, in any area of [a dog race 518
track or] a facility equipped with screens for the simulcasting of off-track 519
betting race programs or jai alai games. For purposes of this subsection, 520
"restaurant" means space, in a suitable and permanent building, kept, 521
used, maintained, advertised and held out to the public to be a place 522
where meals are regularly served to the public, "school" has the same 523
meaning as provided in section 10-154a and "child care facility" has the 524
same meaning as provided in section 19a-342a, as amended by this act. 525
Sec. 10. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 19a-342a of the 526
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 527
thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 528
(b) (1) No person shall use an electronic nicotine delivery system or 529
vapor product: (A) In any building or portion of a building owned and 530
operated or leased and operated by the state or any political subdivision 531
thereof; (B) in any area of a health care institution; (C) in any area of a 532
retail food store; (D) in any restaurant; (E) in any area of an 533
LCO No. 3181 18 of 19
establishment with a permit issued for the sale of alcoholic liquor 534
pursuant to section 30-20a, 30-21, 30-21b, 30-22, 30-22a, 30-22c, 30-26, 30-535
28, 30-28a, 30-33a, 30-33b, 30-35a, 30-37a, 30-37e or 30-37f, in any area of 536
establishment with a permit issued for the sale of alcoholic liquor 537
pursuant to section 30-23 issued after May 1, 2003, or the bar area of a 538
bowling establishment holding a permit pursuant to subsection (a) of 539
section 30-37c; (F) within a school building or on the grounds of such 540
school; (G) within a child care facility or on the grounds of such child 541
care facility, except, if the child care facility is a family child care home 542
as defined in section 19a-77, such use is prohibited only when a child 543
enrolled in such home is present; (H) in any passenger elevator, 544
provided no person shall be arrested for violating this subsection unless 545
there is posted in such elevator a sign which indicates that such use is 546
prohibited by state law; (I) in any dormitory in any public or private 547
institution of higher education; or (J) in any area of [a dog race track or] 548
a facility equipped with screens for the simulcasting of off-track betting 549
race programs or jai alai games. For purposes of this subsection, 550
"restaurant" means space, in a suitable and permanent building, kept, 551
used, maintained, advertised and held out to the public to be a place 552
where meals are regularly served to the public, and "school" has the 553
same meaning as provided in section 10-154a. 554
Sec. 11. Section 12-574d of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective 555
October 1, 2021) 556
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 October 1, 2021 12-574(i) to (s)
Sec. 2 October 1, 2021 12-574c
Sec. 3 October 1, 2021 12-574a
Sec. 4 October 1, 2021 12-575
Sec. 5 October 1, 2021 12-578
Sec. 6 October 1, 2021 12-572(a)
Sec. 7 October 1, 2021 12-559
Sec. 8 October 1, 2021 17a-713(b)
Sec. 9 October 1, 2021 19a-342(b)(1)
Sec. 10 October 1, 2021 19a-342a(b)(1)
LCO No. 3181 19 of 19
Sec. 11 October 1, 2021 Repealer section
Statement of Purpose:
To prohibit greyhound racing in the state.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]
Co-Sponsors: REP. D'AGOSTINO, 91st Dist.; REP. ELLIOTT, 88th Dist.
H.B. 6048