Relates to welfare, medical, and retirement plans provided by a horsemen's organization in the absence of contractual obligations; provides in the absence of a contract between the licensed harness racing corporation or association and the representative horsemen's organization, the state gaming commission shall require such corporation or association to pay to the horsemen's organization an amount determined in accordance with the previously negotiated contract for welfare, medical, or retirement plans, including any associated costs, provided by the horsemen's organization to participants in racing at the licensed harness racing facility; provides the amounts shall be paid monthly from the horsemen's gross purse enhancement amount from video lottery gaming.
The bill stipulates that in the absence of a contract, the state gaming commission will mandate that licensed harness racing associations withhold a negotiated percentage of unpaid and existing revenue, directing these funds to the appropriate horsemen's organization on a quarterly basis. This provides a framework to secure financial backing for welfare and medical plans for backstretch employees in the harness racing sector, aiming to enhance worker conditions in a highly specialized industry.
Bill S02612 aims to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and breeding law in New York, specifically addressing the health, welfare, pension, and administrative benefits for harness racing licensees. The bill emphasizes the need for provisions that would take effect in instances where there are no contractual obligations between licensed harness racing corporations and the representative horsemen's organization. The intent is to safeguard financial interests, ensuring that horsemen receive benefits even when traditional agreements are lacking.
Notably, discussions surrounding this bill may touch upon the complexities of fund allocation and the potential criticisms regarding its enforcement. Legislators may debate whether the provisions are sufficient in guaranteeing equitable distribution of benefits among workers employed in harness racing, particularly concerning those who are not part of the representative organizations. The validation process for ensuring representation by at least fifty-one percent of owners and trainers may also spark debates about fairness and the accountability of the organizations involved.