ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 4597
with committee amendments
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JUNE 26, 2024
The Assembly Budget Committee reports favorably and with
committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4597.
Under current law, off-track wagering licenses are first issued to
horse racing permit holders. Licensees are required to meet certain
New Jersey Racing Commission rules and timelines for the
establishment, construction, and operation of off-track wagering
facilities. Violation of racing commission rules and regulations are
grounds for the commission to revoke, suspend, or deny a renewal of a
license.
This bill provides for the automatic renewal, without conditions, of
an off-track wagering license. As long as a licensee files the
appropriate forms and pays all relevant fees to the commission, their
license will continue to be renewed.
The bill removes the provisions which allow for the denial of a
license renewal. However, the bill allows the racing commission to
continue to suspend or revoke a license for noncompliance with the
commission’s rules.
Current law also provides for a preference system for the award of
a license forfeited by a horse racing permit holder, first to a
horsemen’s organization and then to any other well-suited entity. This
bill removes these provisions.
The bill allows for the racing commission to use its discretion to
establish the timeframe for renewal of license, rather than the fixed
annual renewal under current law.
The bill specifies that nothing in the off-track and wagering
account law would limit the ability of horsemen’s organizations to
enter into agreements with horse racing permit holders for the
operation of off-track wagering facilities.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS :
These committee amendments make the bill identical to S3455
(1R).
The committee amendments ensure that the only requirements for
the automatic renewal of an off-track wagering license will be the
submission of any required forms and the payment of a renewal fee, as
established by the Racing Commission. 2
The committee amendments also remove the provisions of the bill
which modified certain requirements for the operation of simulcasting
facilities.
The amendments also remove the provisions of the bill which
would have reduced the number of annual races required to be
conducted by thoroughbred permit holders from 50 to 25.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.