HLS 25RS-1026 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 503
BY REPRESENTATIVE ROBBY CARTER
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
RACING/HORSE: Provides relative to horse racing
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 4:141 and 147(A)(2)(d) and R.S. 27:607, relative to horse racing;
3 to provide with respect to the horse racing industry; to provide for legislative intent;
4 to provide for the powers and duties of the Louisiana State Racing Commission; to
5 provide with respect to pari-mutuel wagering; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 4:141 and 147(A)(2)(d) are hereby amended and reenacted to read
8as follows:
9 §141. Legislative intent and policy
10 A. The legislature hereby finds and declares it to be the public policy of this
11 state that pari-mutuel wagering facilities which offer live horse racing have
12 historically made great contributions to the economic development of the state at
13 large and particularly the agricultural and horse breeding industries.
14 B. It is the policy of the state of Louisiana in furtherance of its responsibility
15 to provide revenues for the operation of state government for its people, to
16 acknowledge and declare that the providing of funds and financial assistance to
17 licensed horse racing tracks in the state of Louisiana constitutes an authorized public
18 function and purpose of the state of Louisiana, to encourage forceful and honest
19 statewide control of horse racing for the public health, safety, and welfare by
20 safeguarding the people of this state against corrupt, incompetent, dishonest and
21 unprincipled horse racing practices;
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HB NO. 503
1 (1) To institute and maintain a program to encourage and permit
2 development of the business of horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering thereon on
3 a high plane.
4 (2) To institute and maintain a program to encourage and permit
5 development of the breeding and ownership of race horses in the state.
6 (3) To institute and maintain a regulatory program for the business of racing
7 horses, which program assures the protection of public health, safety and welfare,
8 vesting with the commission forceful statewide control of horse racing with full
9 powers to prescribe rules and regulations and conditions under which all horse racing
10 is conducted with wagering upon the result thereof with the state.
11 (4) To institute and maintain a program to provide financial assistance that
12 will encourage and permit the development of the business of horse racing by
13 licensed horse racing tracks in the state of Louisiana.
14 (5) To institute and provide a program for the regulation, ownership,
15 possession, licensing, keeping, and innoculation of animals on premises under its
16 control and supervision not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of the state
17 livestock and sanitary board.
18 B. C. This Chapter is an exercise of the police powers of the state to promote
19 the public health, safety and welfare.
20 * * *
21 §147. Specific duties of commission
22 A. The commission shall carry out the provisions of this Part, including the
23 following specific duties:
24 * * *
25 (2)
26 * * *
27 (d) The commission may appoint up to three other stewards to be
28 compensated by it and assign to each such duties as are consistent with this Part;
29 however, such other stewards shall not serve as a steward in the stewards stand
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HB NO. 503
1 during any race meeting conducted under the provisions of this Part, except with the
2 written consent of the association conducting such race meeting.
3 * * *
4 Section 2. R.S. 27:607 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
5 §607. Operators; sports lounge required; responsibilities; pooling
6 * * *
7 H.
8 * * *
9 (2) A sports wagering licensee that is an association as defined in R.S. 4:143
10 and is also the holder of a license as defined in R.S. 27:353 and provided for in
11 Chapter 7 of this Title may conduct pari-mutuel wagering in its retail sports book
12 lounge if the pari-mutuel wagering is conducted in accordance with a board and the
13 Louisiana State Racing Commission approved plan of operation as required in R.S.
14 4:213(C).
15 * * *
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 503 Original 2025 Regular Session Robby Carter
Abstract: Provides relative to horse racing.
Present law provides for legislative intent regarding horse racing.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that the legislature hereby finds and declares it
to be the public policy of this state that pari-mutuel wagering facilities which offer live horse
racing have historically made great contributions to the economic development of the state
at large and particularly the agricultural and horse breeding industries.
Present law provides for the La. State Racing Commission's (commission) ability to appoint
stewards.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that the commission may appoint up to three
stewards.
Present law provides for who may conduct pari-mutuel wagering in its retail sports book
lounge if the pari-mutuel wagering is conducted in accordance with a La. Gaming Control
Board and commission approved plan of operation as required.
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HB NO. 503
Proposed law adds clarification language.
(Amends R.S. 4:141 and 147(A)(2)(d) and R.S. 27:607)
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