HLS 14RS-4675 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 130
BY REPRESENTATIVE CONNICK
AUDITS/AUDITING: Directs the legislative auditor to perform a performance audit of the
Louisiana State Racing Commission regarding horse racing facilities and offtrack
wagering facilities located in the parishes of Orleans and Jefferson
A RESOLUTION1
To direct the legislative auditor to perform a performance audit of the Louisiana State2
Racing Commission and its regulatory efforts with respect to horse racing facilities3
and offtrack wagering facilities located in the parishes of Orleans and Jefferson, to4
determine whether the commission is ensuring compliance by those facilities with5
the health, safety, and welfare standards required by law and administrative rule, to6
determine whether the commission is enforcing compliance with respect to the7
allocation of resources regarding horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering as compared8
to the operation of video draw poker devices and slot machines, and to report its9
findings to the House of Representatives at least thirty days prior to the 2015 Regular10
Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.11
WHEREAS, in 1987, the Louisiana Legislature authorized offtrack wagering at pari-12
mutuel wagering facilities; and13
WHEREAS, in 1991, the Louisiana Legislature authorized the operation of video14
draw poker devices at offtrack wagering facilities and at horse racing facilities; and15
WHEREAS, in 1997, the Louisiana Legislature authorized slot machine gaming at16
eligible live horse racing facilities; and17
WHEREAS, although these measures have provided much needed revenue to the18
horse racing industry, the primary purpose of offtrack wagering facilities and horse racing19 HLS 14RS-4675 ORIGINAL
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facilities is to provide live horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering to the citizens of1
Louisiana; and2
WHEREAS, horse racing has been conducted in Louisiana for more than one3
hundred forty years and has played a vital role in the history of Louisiana; and4
WHEREAS, the racing industry has contributed millions of dollars to the state of5
Louisiana and has facilitated the ownership, breeding, and racing of quality horses in this6
state; and7
WHEREAS, Act No. 276 of the 1940 Regular Session of the Legislature established8
the Louisiana State Racing Commission; and9
WHEREAS, Louisiana law requires the Louisiana State Racing Commission to10
institute and maintain a regulatory program for the business of racing horses which assures11
the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare by safeguarding the people of this12
state against corrupt, incompetent, dishonest, and unprincipled horse racing practices13
through the comprehensive regulation and control of the horse racing industry; and14
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Racing Commission has adopted rules which15
provide that a veterinarian shall ensure that horses are stabled in individual box stalls with16
separate feeding and watering facilities, that the stables and immediate surrounding area are17
maintained in approved sanitary conditions at all times, that satisfactory drainage is18
provided, and that manure and other refuse are promptly and properly removed; and19
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has a compelling interest in maintaining the20
proper racing facilities, which are essential to protecting the health and safety of the jockeys,21
trainers, stewards, breeders, horsemen, and patrons, as well as the horses.22
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby23
direct the legislative auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Louisiana State Racing24
Commission and its regulatory efforts with respect to horse racing facilities and offtrack25
wagering facilities located in the parishes of Orleans and Jefferson to determine whether the26
racing commission is ensuring compliance by those facilities with the health, safety, and27
welfare standards required by law and administrative rule.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative auditor determine if the Louisiana29
State Racing Commission is enforcing compliance with respect to the amount of resources30 HLS 14RS-4675 ORIGINAL
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any offtrack pari-mutuel wagering facility or horse racing facility located in Orleans and1
Jefferson parishes is allocating to the efficient and safe conducting of horse racing versus2
the operation of slot machines and the operation of video draw poker devices.3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative auditor shall report its findings4
to the House of Representatives at least thirty days prior to the 2015 Regular Session of the5
Legislature of Louisiana.6
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Connick HR No. 130
Directs the legislative auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Louisiana State Racing
Commission and its regulatory efforts with respect to horse racing facilities and offtrack
wagering facilities located in the parishes of Orleans and Jefferson to determine whether the
commission is ensuring compliance by those facilities with the health, safety, and welfare
standards required by law and administrative rule.
Further directs the legislative auditor to conduct an audit of the Louisiana State Racing
Commission to determine whether the commission is enforcing compliance with respect to
the amount of resources any offtrack pari-mutuel wagering facility or horse racing facility
located in the parishes of Orleans and Jefferson is allocating to the efficient and safe
conducting of horse racing versus the operation of slot machines and the operation of video
draw poker devices.
Requires the legislative auditor to report its findings to the House of Representatives at least
30 days prior to the 2015 R.S.