RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 258 (SB 144) 2023 Regular Session Cortez
Existing 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.
New law makes technical changes.
Prior law prohibited 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.
New 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.
Prior law prohibited 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.
New 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.
Existing law provides for the specific duty of the LSRC to set the minimum number of live
races per race day at a particular track.
New law makes technical changes.
New 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.
Prior law set the minimum number of live racing days at not less than 130 at each race track.
New law reduces the number of live racing days from not less than 130 to not less than 122
at each race track.
Prior law set the minimum number of thoroughbred racing days at not less than 84 at each
race track over 21 consecutive weeks.
New 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.
Existing law sets the minimum number of thoroughbred racing days at not less than 46 days
during 12 consecutive weeks.
New law retains existing law, but specifies that the race days take place over no more than
12 consecutive weeks.
New 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.
New law provides that if the race track and the HBPA cannot reach an agreement pursuant
to new law, the LSRC may, by a 2/3 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. New 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.
New law requires any examination of financial records remain confidential.
New law requires the LSRC to release a summary of relevant facts, with any proprietary
information or trade secrets remaining confidential.
Prior law authorized 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.
New 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 June 12, 2023.
(Amends R.S. 4:147(1) and (3), 214.1, and 218.1