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)]
HB 738 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Dustin Miller
Abstract: Authorizes the La. State Racing Commission to approve the transfer of slot machine
proceeds for certain races and provides relative to the distribution of video draw poker device
revenues to supplement purses for certain horse races.
Present law (R.S. 4:147.1) authorizes the La. State Racing Commission (commission), upon
agreement of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the involved licensed
eligible facilities, to approve the transfer of slot machine proceeds received for thoroughbred race
purses from one licensed eligible facility to another licensed eligible facility to supplement
thoroughbred purses at a thoroughbred race meet. Further provides that the funds transferred
pursuant to present law shall be awarded within one year from the date of transfer.
Proposed law further authorizes the commission, upon agreement of the Horsemen's Benevolent and
Protective Association and the involved licensed eligible facilities, to approve the transfer of slot
machine proceeds received for quarter horse race purses from one licensed eligible facility to another
licensed eligible facility to supplement quarter horse purses at a quarter horse race meet.
Proposed law further provides that upon agreement of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective
Association and the involved licensed eligible facilities, the commission may approve the transfer
of a race meet, for either or both thoroughbred races and quarter horse races, from one licensed
eligible facility to another licensed eligible facility. The transfer of a race meet pursuant to proposed
law includes the transfer of all applicable purse funds that would have been required to be paid at
the racing meeting. Pursuant to proposed law, provisions of present law governing the payment of
purses required at the licensed eligible facility receiving the race meeting shall remain in full force
and effect as if the race meeting had not been moved to the licensed eligible facility receiving the
race meeting.
Present law (R.S. 27:438) requires revenues earned to supplement purses for horsemen to be
disbursed, accounted for, and used as follows:
(1)Monies earned for purse supplements from devices located at a racing facility currently
conducting live racing shall be in addition to all other monies currently provided for purses
and purse supplements under other provisions of law and shall be used at the current race
meeting.
Proposed law retains present law. (2)Monies earned for purse supplements from devices located at an eligible racing facility not
currently conducting live racing shall be placed in an interest-bearing account until the first
day of the next live race meeting conducted at that facility, at which time the accumulated
monies and interest earned on such monies shall be added to all other monies currently
provided for purses and purse supplements at that race meeting under other provisions of the
law and shall be used at that race meeting.
Proposed law retains present law in part, but changes the way that accumulated monies are to be
handled, as outlined in proposed law.
(3)Monies earned for purse supplements from devices located at an eligible off-track wagering
facility shall be used for purse supplements at the racing facilities of the owners of the off-
track wagering facility where the net device revenues were earned. Where such facilities are
jointly owned, the monies earned for purse supplements at that facility shall be divided in
direct proportion to ownership of the facility for use at their respective racing facilities.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the following parameters:
1. At the licensed eligible facility in Orleans Parish, the net video draw poker device revenues shall
be disbursed and used as follows:
(a)12.5% of the net video draw poker device revenues shall be used to supplement purses for
quarter horse races at that licensed eligible facility as authorized by present law, up to a
maximum amount of $1,000,000 dollars per state fiscal year, of which 25% for each state
fiscal year shall be distributed to the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association,
1993 Inc., to be used to satisfy the Settlement Amount of $1,000,000 as defined in and
pursuant to the class action settlement agreement approved by the court in the lawsuit
Soileau v. Churchill Downs La. Horseracing Co., et al, Parish of Orleans, Civil District
Court, Division G, No. 2014-3873.
(b) The remainder of the net video draw poker device revenues shall be allocated to purse
supplements for thoroughbred horse races at that licensed eligible facility as authorized by
present law per state fiscal year.
2. For licensed eligible racing facilities required by law to run more than 20 quarter horse racing
days, the net video draw poker device revenues shall be disbursed and used as follows:
(a)30% of the net video draw poker device revenues shall be used to supplement purses for
quarter horse races at that licensed eligible facility as authorized by present law and
(b) 70% of the net video draw poker device revenues shall be used to supplement purses for
thoroughbred races at that licensed eligible facility as authorized by present law.
3. Monies earned for purse supplements in accordance with proposed law shall be in addition to all
other monies currently provided for purses and purse supplements under other provisions of present law, shall be the net of sums payable to the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, 1993
Inc. from purses and purse supplements in accordance with the law, and shall be placed in the
appropriate breed account, an interest bearing account, until distributed in accordance with proposed
law.
Proposed law clarifies that distribution of device revenues is from video draw poker devices and
clarifies that monies earned from such revenues shall be placed in the appropriate quarter horse and
thoroughbred account.
Proposed law provides a contingent effective date.
(Amends R.S. 4:147.1(D) and R.S. 27:438(A) and (B)(1)-(3); Adds R.S. 4:147.1(E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the original bill:
1. Remove the requirement that the race meet transferred be conducted and completed
within one year of the commission's approval.
2. Specify that references to "breed" means either quarter horse or thoroughbred.
3. Change the allocation of monies earned from purse supplements from video draw poker
devices located at an eligible racing facility not currently conducting live racing to follow
guidelines in proposed law.
4. Redesignate provisions of proposed law outlining allocation of certain monies.
5. Add the requirement that monies earned for purse supplements in accordance with
proposed law be in addition to all other monies currently provided for purses and purse
supplements under other provisions of present law, shall be the net of sums payable to
the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, 1993 Inc., from purses and purse
supplements in accordance with the law, and be placed in the appropriate breed account,
an interest bearing account, until distributed in accordance with proposed law.
6. Restore present law which requires distribution of funds pursuant to present law.
7. Provide an effective date contingent on a class action settlement agreement being
approved by the court and becoming final and non-appealable.
8. Make technical changes.