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2023 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 144
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
HORSE RACING. Provides relative to horse racing. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact the introductory paragraph of R.S. 4:147(1)(a) and 147(1)(b) and R.S.
3 27:361(B)(4) and 435(D)(4), relative to horse racing; to provide for the minimum
4 number of live horse racing dates; to provide for the minimum number of live races
5 required per race day; to provide for payment of franchise fees from certain slot
6 machine proceeds to support pari-mutuel wagering facilities; to provide for
7 contributions from certain video draw poker devices proceeds to the support of pari-
8 mutuel wagering facilities; and to provide for related matters.
9 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. The introductory paragraph of R.S. 4:147(1)(a) and 147(1)(b) are hereby
11 amended and reenacted to read as follows:
12 §147. Specific duties of commission
13 The commission shall carry out the provisions of this Part, including the
14 following specific duties:
15 (1)(a) To assign the dates race meetings may be conducted in this state at a
16 any particular track, including dates which limit racing at a particular track for
17 quarter horses only, provided that:
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 144
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1 * * *
2 (b) To set the minimum number of live races required per race day at a any
3 particular track.
4 * * *
5 Section 2. R.S. 27:361(B)(4) and 435(D)(4) are hereby amended and reenacted to
6 read as follows:
7 §361. Conduct of slot machine gaming; temporary conduct
8 * * *
9 B. As a condition of licensing and to maintain continued authority for the
10 conduct of slot machine gaming at the licensed eligible facility, the owner of the
11 licensed eligible facility shall:
12 * * *
13 (4) Contribute to the support of pari-mutuel wagering facilities in the state
14 at large and the horse breeding industry by paying annually from the annual net slot
15 machine proceeds received from slot machine gaming operations at the licensed
16 facility that is eligible facility as provided in this Paragraph:
17 * * *
18 §435. Licensing by division; fees; franchise payments; enforcement activities
19 * * *
20 D.(1) * * *
21 (4) Of the amount attributable to the payment of franchise fees as required
22 in this Section, an amount equal to the avails of one-half of one percent of the
23 franchise fee rate shall be allocated as provided in R.S. 27:437 27:437(C) and
24 appropriated by the legislature as provided in R.S. 27:439 27:439(B).
25 * * *
26 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
27 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
28 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
29 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 144
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1 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SB 144 Original 2023 Regular Session Cortez
Present law provides for the specific duty of the Louisiana State Racing Commission
(LSRC) to assign the dates race meetings are authorized to be conducted in this state at a
particular track, including dates which limit racing at a particular track for quarter horses
only.
Proposed law makes technical changes.
Present law provides for the specific duty of the LSRC to set the minimum number of live
races per race day at a particular track.
Proposed law makes technical changes.
Present law, regarding slot machine gaming at race tracks, requires that, as a condition of
licensing for the conduct of slot machine gaming at race tracks, the owner of the race track
shall contribute to the support of pari-mutuel wagering facilities and the horse breeding
industry. Provides that the contribution be in the form of a fixed percentage of net slot
machine proceeds received from slot machine gaming operations at the race track.
Proposed law makes technical changes.
Present law, regarding video draw poker gaming, provides for franchise fees to be paid by
the device owner in an amount equal to a percentage of the net device revenue derived from
the operation of each video draw poker device. The amount of the percentage is based on the
type of licensed establishment. Provides that .5% of the avails shall be allocated to the La.
State Racing Commission for purse supplements and support of certain horsemen's
associations.
Proposed law makes technical changes.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 4:147(1)(a)(intro para) and 147(1)(b) and R.S. 27:361(B)(4) and 435(D)(4))
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.