The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SB 144 Reengrossed 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 prohibits the conducting of any thoroughbred race meetings having the same or
overlapping dates for such race meetings at thoroughbred race tracks within a radius of 100 miles
of each other.
Proposed law prohibits, to the extent possible, the conducting of any thoroughbred race meetings
having the same or overlapping dates for such race meetings at thoroughbred race tracks within the
state.
Present law prohibits the conducting of any quarter horse race meetings having the same or
overlapping dates for such race meetings at quarter horse race tracks within a radius of 100 miles of
each other.
Proposed law prohibits, to the extent possible, the conducting of any quarter horse race meetings
having the same or overlapping dates for such race meetings at quarter horse race tracks within the
state.
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.
Proposed law requires the LSRC to make an annual report to the governor and the legislature
regarding the race calendar, field size, the number of races, handle, attendance, the effect of
overlapping race days compared to previous years, and any other relevant matters along with any
recommendations to improve the racing industry in the state.
Present law sets the minimum number of live racing days at not less than 130 at each race track.
Proposed law reduces the number of live racing days from not less than 130 to not less than 122 at
each race track.
Present law sets the minimum number of thoroughbred racing days at not less than 84 at each race track.
Proposed law reduces the number of thoroughbred racing days from not less than 84 to not less than
76 at each race track.
Proposed law authorizes the LSRC to reduce the number of race days by up to 21 upon a showing
by the race track and the HBPA that the reduction would be in the best interests of the industry.
Proposed law provides that if the race track and the HBPA cannot reach an agreement pursuant to
proposed law, the LSRC may, by a two-thirds vote of the membership, reduce the number of race
days by up to 21 upon a showing by the race track that without the reduction of race days the
association would experience imminent financial distress.
Proposed law requires the LSRC to examine all financial records of the race track and any relevant
financial records of any affiliates for the purpose of determining equitable cost allocation. Proposed
law requires any examination of financial records remain confidential. Proposed law requires the
LSRC to release a summary of relevant facts, with any proprietary information or trade secrets
remaining confidential.
Present law authorizes the LSRC to collect a license fee not to exceed 4% of the total amount
wagered at each offtrack wagering facility (OTB) on historic horse racing (HHR) machines to cover
administrative costs.
Proposed law reduces the fee on HHR machines to 1 & ½% to be distributed as follows:
1. 67% to the LSRC.
2. 14% to the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association for promotion of the appropriate
breeding industry and for breeder awards.
3. 7% to the Louisiana Quarterhorse Breeders Association for promotion of the appropriate
breeding industry and for breeder awards.
4. 6% to the local governing authority where the OTBs are located.
5. 6% to the local law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction where the OTBs are
located.
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. Provides that 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) and (3), 214.1, and 218.1 and R.S. 27:361(B)(4) and 435(D)(4))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the original bill
1. Makes technical changes.
2. Adds provision that prohibits, to the extent possible, the conducting of any
thoroughbred race meetings having the same or overlapping dates for such race
meetings at thoroughbred race tracks within the state.
3. Adds provision that prohibits, to the extent possible, the conducting of any quarter
horse race meetings having the same or overlapping dates for such race meetings at
quarter horse race tracks within the state.
4. Reduces the number of thoroughbred racing days from not less than 84 to not less
than 60, nor more than 70 at each race track.
5. Reduces the number of quarter horse racing days from not less than 46 to not less
than 40, nor more than 46 at each race track.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Changes the required number of live horse racing days a race track must operate in
order to conduct offtrack or other authorized wagering from not less than 130 days
to not less than 122 days.
2. Changes the required number of live thoroughbred horse racing days a race track
must operate in order to conduct offtrack or other authorized wagering from not less
than 84 days to not less than 76 days. 3. Adds requirement that the LSRC make an annual report to the governor and the
legislature regarding the race calendar, field size, the number of races, handle,
attendance, the effect of overlapping race days compared to previous years, and any
other relevant matters along with any recommendations to improve the racing
industry in the state.
4. Adds provision that if the race track and the HBPA cannot reach an agreement
pursuant to proposed law, the LSRC may, by a two-thirds vote of the membership,
reduce the number of race days by up to 21 upon a showing by the race track that
without the reduction of race days the association would experience imminent
financial distress.
5. Reduces the fee on HHR machines to 1 & ½% to be distributed as follows:
(a)67% to the LSRC.
(b)14% to the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association for promotion of
the appropriate breeding industry and for breeder awards.
(c)7% to the Louisiana Quarterhorse Breeders Association for promotion of the
appropriate breeding industry and for breeder awards.
(d)6% to the local governing authority where the OTBs are located.
(e)6% to the local law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction where the
OTBs are located.