New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S02612

Introduced
1/21/25  
Refer
1/21/25  
Engrossed
6/10/25  
Refer
6/10/25  

Caption

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.

Impact

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.

Summary

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.

Contention

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.

Companion Bills

NY A08206

Same As 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.

Previously Filed As

NY S01611

Relates to horsemen's health, welfare, pension and administrative benefits for harness racing licensees in the absence of contractual obligations; requires that 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 as a condition of racing require an association or corporation to withhold and pay eight percent of all unpaid and existing monies and to pay such sum to the horsemen's organization quarterly at facilities located in Westchester and Nassau county.

NY A03475

Relates to horsemen's health, welfare, pension and administrative benefits for harness racing licensees in the absence of contractual obligations; requires that 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 as a condition of racing require an association or corporation to withhold and pay eight percent of all unpaid and existing monies and to pay such sum to the horsemen's organization quarterly at facilities located in Westchester and Nassau county.

NY A00752

Provides that antitrust laws shall not apply to any joint agreement entered into, in consultation with and jointly approved by the state gaming commission and the attorney general, by or among non-profit associations, thoroughbred racing associations or corporations, harness racing associations or corporations, quarter horse racing associations or corporations and regional off-track betting corporations to coordinate the dates and times under which they will conduct programs of racing and offer pari-mutuel wagering; provides that such laws shall not apply to agreements entered into to sell, transfer, assign or purchase the rights to broadcast, simulcast, electronically transmit or offer pari-mutuel wagering on horse races.

NY A06829

Relates to the date of school district annual organizational meetings; allows boards of education to meet on any date on or before the Monday after July 20th for their annual organizational meeting.

NY S06348

Enacts the "tenants organizing act"; allows tenants' groups, committees or other tenants' organizations to invite outside guests or visitors including elected officials, services providers, housing lawyers, etc. without being required to pay fees; defines "tenants' organization"; provides for activities that tenants' organizations can take part in; provides for the manner in how a tenants' organization is established.

NY A07057

Enacts the "tenants organizing act"; allows tenants' groups, committees or other tenants' organizations to invite outside guests or visitors including elected officials, services providers, housing lawyers, etc. without being required to pay fees; defines "tenants' organization"; provides for activities that tenants' organizations can take part in; provides for the manner in how a tenants' organization is established.

NY S04922

Prohibits approved organizations providing coverage under the child health insurance plan from discriminating against health care providers which do not participate in the organization's health care network.

NY A09541

Prohibits approved organizations providing coverage under the child health insurance plan from discriminating against health care providers which do not participate in the organization's health care network.

NY S05745

Requires state agencies to provide labor organizations with certified payroll records of the contractors hired to perform public work by such agency.

NY A04476

Provides for the amount to be paid by off-track betting corporations to regional harness tracks from out-of-state and out-of-country simulcast revenue.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.