HASBSB144 TYLERT 2691
SENATE SUMMARY OF HOUSE AMENDMENTS
SB 144 2023 Regular Session Cortez
KEYWORD AND SUMMARY AS RETURNED TO THE SENATE
HORSE RACING. Provides relative to horse racing. (gov sig)
SUMMARY OF HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO THE SENATE BILL
1. Makes technical changes.
2. Adds provision specifying that the minimum number of thoroughbred horse
racing days be conducted during no more than 21 consecutive weeks.
3. Adds provision specifying that the minimum number of quarter horse racing
days be conducted during no more than 12 consecutive weeks.
4. Changes portions of the historic horse racing fee allocation as follows:
(a)From 14% to 11.5% to the La. Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
(b)From 7% to 5% to the La. Quarterhorse Breeders Association.
(c)From 6% to 8.25% to local governments.
(d)From 6% to 8.25% to local law enforcement agencies.
DIGEST OF THE SENATE BILL AS RETURNED TO THE SENATE
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.
Page 1 of 2 HASBSB144 TYLERT 2691
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 over 21 consecutive weeks.
Proposed law reduces the number of thoroughbred racing days from not less than 84 to not
less than 76 at each race track over no more than 21 consecutive weeks.
Present law sets the minimum number of thoroughbred racing days at not less than 46 days
during 12 consecutive weeks.
Proposed law retains present law, but specifies that the race days take place over no more
than 12 consecutive weeks.
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 2/3's 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 1.5% to be distributed as follows:
1. 67% to the LSRC.
2. 11.5% to the La. Thoroughbred Breeders Association for promotion of the
appropriate breeding industry and for breeder awards.
3. 5% to the Louisiana Quarterhorse Breeders Association for promotion of the
appropriate breeding industry and for breeder awards.
4. 8.25% to the local governing authority where the OTBs are located.
5. 8.25% to the local law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction where the OTBs
are located.
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))
______________________
Alan Miller
Senior Attorney
Page 2 of 2