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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 130
BY REPRESENTATIVE CONNICK
A RESOLUTION
To direct the legislative auditor to perform a performance audit of the Louisiana State
Racing Commission and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board 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, to determine whether the commission and
board are enforcing compliance with respect to the allocation of resources regarding
horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering as compared to the operation of video draw
poker devices and slot machines, and to report its findings to the House of
Representatives at least thirty days prior to the 2015 Regular Session of the
Legislature of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, in 1987, the Louisiana Legislature authorized offtrack wagering at pari-
mutuel wagering facilities; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, the Louisiana Legislature authorized the operation of video
draw poker devices at offtrack wagering facilities and at horse racing facilities; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, the Louisiana Legislature authorized slot machine gaming at
eligible live horse racing facilities; and
WHEREAS, although these measures have provided much needed revenue to the
horse racing industry, the primary purpose of offtrack wagering facilities and horse racing
facilities is to provide live horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering to the citizens of
Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, horse racing has been conducted in Louisiana for more than one
hundred forty years and has played a vital role in the history of Louisiana; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 130
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WHEREAS, the racing industry has contributed millions of dollars to the state of
Louisiana and has facilitated the ownership, breeding, and racing of quality horses in this
state; and
WHEREAS, Act No. 276 of the 1940 Regular Session of the Legislature established
the Louisiana State Racing Commission; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana law requires the Louisiana State Racing Commission to
institute and maintain a regulatory program for the business of racing horses which assures
the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare by safeguarding the people of this
state against corrupt, incompetent, dishonest, and unprincipled horse racing practices
through the comprehensive regulation and control of the horse racing industry; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Racing Commission has adopted rules which
provide that a veterinarian shall ensure that horses are stabled in individual box stalls with
separate feeding and watering facilities, that the stables and immediate surrounding area are
maintained in approved sanitary conditions at all times, that satisfactory drainage is
provided, and that manure and other refuse are promptly and properly removed; and
WHEREAS, Act No. 7 of the 1996 First Extraordinary Session of the Legislature
created the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and provided that the board shall have the
regulatory authority to regulate the operation of video draw poker devices at pari-mutuel
wagering facilities and the operation of slot machines at live horse racing facilities; and
WHEREAS, the operation of video draw poker devices at pari-mutuel wagering
facilities and slot machine gaming at live horse racing facilities require that percentages of
revenue derived from the operation of these devices be used to contribute to the horse racing
industry; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has a compelling interest in maintaining the
proper racing facilities, which are essential to protecting the health and safety of the jockeys,
trainers, stewards, breeders, horsemen, and patrons, as well as the horses.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby
direct the legislative auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Louisiana State Racing
Commission and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and their regulatory efforts with
respect to horse racing facilities and offtrack wagering facilities located in the parishes of
Orleans and Jefferson to determine whether the racing commission is ensuring compliance ENROLLEDHR NO. 130
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by those facilities with the health, safety, and welfare standards required by law and
administrative rule.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative auditor determine if the Louisiana
State Racing Commission and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board are enforcing
compliance with respect to the amount of resources any offtrack pari-mutuel wagering
facility or horse racing facility located in Orleans and Jefferson parishes 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.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative auditor determine if the Louisiana
Gaming Control Board is enforcing compliance with respect to the operation of video draw
poker devices and slot machines at any offtrack pari-mutuel wagering facility or horse racing
facility located in Orleans and Jefferson parishes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative auditor shall report its findings
to the House of Representatives at least thirty days prior to the 2015 Regular Session of the
Legislature of Louisiana.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES