Virginia 2025 Regular Session

Virginia Senate Bill SB864 Compare Versions

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1-2025 SESSION
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3-SENATE SUBSTITUTE
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5-25105374D
1+OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 1/20/2025
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73 SENATE BILL NO. 864
84
95 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
106
117 (Proposed by the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology
128
13-on January 22, 2025)
9+on ________________)
1410
1511 (Patron Prior to SubstituteSenator Reeves)
1612
1713 A BILL to amend and reenact 59.1-365 and 59.1-392 of the Code of Virginia, relating to horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering; breakage.
1814
1915
2016
2117 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
2218
2319 1. That 59.1-365 and 59.1-392 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
2420
2521 59.1-365. Definitions.
2622
2723 As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
2824
2925 "Advance deposit account wagering" means a method of pari-mutuel wagering conducted in the Commonwealth that is permissible under the Interstate Horseracing Act, (15 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) of Chapter 57 of Title 15 of the United States Code, and in which an individual may establish an account with an entity, licensed by the Commission, to place pari-mutuel wagers in person or electronically.
3026
3127 "Breakage," with respect to historical horse racing, means the odd cents by which the amount payable on each dollar wagered exceeds a multiple of $0.10.
3228
3329 "Breakage," with respect to horse racing other than historical horse racing, means the odd cents by which the amount payable on each dollar wagered exceeds one cent ($0.01).
3430
3531 "Commission" means the Virginia Racing Commission.
3632
3733 "Dependent" means a son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, or other person, whether or not related by blood or marriage, if such person receives from an officer or employee more than one-half of his financial support.
3834
3935 "Drug" shall have the meaning prescribed by 54.1-3401. The Commission shall by regulation define and designate those drugs the use of which is prohibited or restricted.
4036
4137 "Enclosure" means all areas of the property of a track to which admission can be obtained only by payment of an admission fee or upon presentation of authorized credentials, and any additional areas designated by the Commission.
4238
4339 "Handle" means the total amount of all pari-mutuel wagering sales excluding refunds and cancellations.
4440
4541 "Historical horse racing" means a form of horse racing that creates pari-mutuel pools from wagers placed on previously conducted horse races and is hosted at (i) a racetrack owned or operated by a significant infrastructure limited licensee or (ii) a satellite facility that is owned or operated by (a) a significant infrastructure limited licensee or (b) the nonprofit industry stakeholder organization recognized by the Commission and licensed to own or operate such satellite facility.
4642
4743 "Horse racing" means a competition on a set course involving a race between horses on which pari-mutuel wagering is permitted and includes historical horse racing.
4844
4945 "Immediate family" means (i) a spouse and (ii) any other person residing in the same household as an officer or employee, who is a dependent of the officer or employee or of whom the officer or employee is a dependent.
5046
5147 "Licensee" includes any person holding an owner's or operator's license under Article 2 ( 59.1-375 et seq.).
5248
5349 "Member" includes any person designated a member of a nonstock corporation, and any person who by means of a pecuniary or other interest in such corporation exercises the power of a member.
5450
5551 "Pari-mutuel wagering" means the system of wagering on horse races in which those who wager on horses that finish in the position or positions for which wagers are taken share in the total amounts wagered, plus any amounts provided by a licensee, less deductions required or permitted by law and includes pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing and simulcast horse racing originating within the Commonwealth or from any other jurisdiction.
5652
5753 "Participant" means any person who (i) has an ownership interest in any horse entered to race in the Commonwealth or who acts as the trainer, jockey, or driver of any horse entered to race in the Commonwealth or (ii) takes part in any horse racing subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission or in the conduct of a race meeting or pari-mutuel wagering there, including but not limited to a horse owner, trainer, jockey, or driver, groom, stable foreman, valet, veterinarian, agent, pari-mutuel employee, concessionaire or employee thereof, track employee, or other position the Commission deems necessary to regulate to ensure the integrity of horse racing in Virginia.
5854
5955 "Permit holder" includes any person holding a permit to participate in any horse racing subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission or in the conduct of a race meeting or pari-mutuel wagering thereon as provided in 59.1-387.
6056
6157 "Person" means any individual, group of individuals, firm, company, corporation, partnership, business, trust, association, or other legal entity.
6258
6359 "Pool" means the amount wagered during a race meeting or during a specified period thereof.
6460
6561 "Principal stockholder" means any person who individually or in concert with his spouse and immediate family members, beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of the stock of any person which is a licensee, or who in concert with his spouse and immediate family members, has the power to vote or cause the vote of five percent or more of any such stock. However, "principal stockholder" shall not include a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.), as amended, which holds in inventory shares for sale on the financial markets for a publicly traded corporation holding, directly or indirectly, a license from the Commission.
6662
6763 "Race meeting" means the whole consecutive period of time during which horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering is conducted by a licensee.
6864
6965 "Racetrack" means an outdoor course located in Virginia which is laid out for horse racing and is licensed by the Commission.
7066
7167 "Recognized majority horsemen's group" means the organization recognized by the Commission as the representative of the majority of owners and trainers racing at race meetings subject to the Commission's jurisdiction.
7268
7369 "Retainage" means the total amount deducted from the pari-mutuel wagering pool for (i) a license fee to the Commission and localities, (ii) the licensee, (iii) purse money for the participants, (iv) the Virginia Breeders Fund, and (v) certain enumerated organizations as required or permitted by law, regulation, or contract approved by the Commission.
7470
7571 "Satellite facility" means all areas of the property at which simulcast horse racing is received for the purposes of pari-mutuel wagering, and any additional areas designated by the Commission.
7672
7773 "Significant infrastructure facility" means a horse racing facility that has been approved by a local referendum pursuant to 59.1-391 and has a minimum racing infrastructure consisting of (i) a one-mile dirt track for flat racing, (ii) a seven-eighths-mile turf course for flat or jump racing, (iii) covered seating for no fewer than 500 persons, and (iv) barns with no fewer than 400 permanent stalls.
7874
7975 "Significant infrastructure limited licensee" means a person who owns or operates a significant infrastructure facility and holds a limited license under 59.1-376.
8076
8177 "Simulcast horse racing" means the simultaneous transmission of the audio or video portion, or both, of horse races from a licensed horse racetrack or satellite facility to another licensed horse racetrack or satellite facility, regardless of state of licensure, whether such races originate within the Commonwealth or any other jurisdiction, by satellite communication devices, television cables, telephone lines, or any other means for the purposes of conducting pari-mutuel wagering.
8278
8379 "Steward" means a racing official, duly appointed by the Commission, with powers and duties prescribed by Commission regulations.
8480
8581 "Stock" includes all classes of stock, partnership interest, membership interest, or similar ownership interest of an applicant or licensee, and any debt or other obligation of such person or an affiliated person if the Commission finds that the holder of such interest or stock derives therefrom such control of or voice in the operation of the applicant or licensee that he should be deemed an owner of stock.
8682
8783 "Virginia Breeders Fund" means the fund established to foster the industry of breeding race horses in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
8884
8985 59.1-392. Percentage retained; tax.
9086
9187 A. Any person holding an operator's license to operate a horse racetrack or satellite facility in the Commonwealth pursuant to this chapter shall be authorized to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing subject to the provisions of this chapter and the conditions and regulations of the Commission.
9288
9389 B. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 1.25 percent to be distributed as follows: 1.0 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax and 0.25 percent to the locality in which the racetrack is located. The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection D, provided, however, that if the percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 18 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions D 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 18 percent.
9490
9591 C. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at each Virginia satellite facility on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 1.25 percent to be distributed as follows: 0.75 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, 0.25 percent to the locality in which the satellite facility is located, and 0.25 percent to the locality in which the racetrack is located. The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection D, provided, however, that if the percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 18 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions D 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 18 percent.
9692
9793 D. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack and each Virginia satellite facility on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid:
9894
9995 1. Eight percent as purses or prizes to the participants in such race meeting;
10096
10197 2. Seven and one-half percent and all of the breakage and the proceeds of pari-mutuel tickets unredeemed 180 days from the date on which the race was conducted, to the operator;
10298
10399 3. One percent to the Virginia Breeders Fund;
104100
105101 4. Fifteen one-hundredths percent to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine;
106102
107103 5. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation;
108104
109105 6. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Horse Industry Board; and
110106
111107 7. The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as appropriate under subsection B or C.
112108
113109 E. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth involving wagering other than win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 2.75 percent to be distributed as follows: 2.25 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, and 0.5 percent to the locality in which the racetrack is located. The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection G, provided, however, that if the percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 22 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions G 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 22 percent.
114110
115111 F. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at each Virginia satellite facility on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth involving wagering other than win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 2.75 percent to be distributed as follows: 1.75 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, 0.5 percent to the locality in which the satellite facility is located, and 0.5 percent to the locality in which the racetrack is located. The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection G, provided, however, that if the percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 22 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions G 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 22 percent.
116112
117113 G. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack and each Virginia satellite facility on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth involving wagering other than win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid:
118114
119115 1. Nine percent as purses or prizes to the participants in such race meeting;
120116
121117 2. Nine percent and the proceeds of the pari-mutuel tickets unredeemed 180 days from the date on which the race was conducted, to the operator;
122118
123119 3. One percent to the Virginia Breeders Fund;
124120
125121 4. Fifteen one-hundredths percent to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine;
126122
127123 5. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation;
128124
129125 6. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Horse Industry Board; and
130126
131127 7. The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as appropriate under subsection E or F.
132128
133129 H. On pari-mutuel wagering generated by simulcast horse racing transmitted from jurisdictions outside the Commonwealth, the licensee may, with the approval of the Commission, commingle pools with the racetrack where the transmission emanates or establish separate pools for wagering within the Commonwealth. All simulcast horse racing in this subsection must comply with the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.).
134130
135131 I. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack on simulcast horse racing transmitted from jurisdictions outside the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain 1.25 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows: 0.75 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, and 0.5 percent to the Virginia locality in which the racetrack is located.
136132
137133 J. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at each Virginia satellite facility on simulcast horse racing transmitted from jurisdictions outside the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain 1.25 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows: 0.75 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, 0.25 percent to the locality in which the satellite facility is located, and 0.25 percent to the Virginia locality in which the racetrack is located.
138134
139135 K. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack and each Virginia satellite facility on simulcast horse racing transmitted from jurisdictions outside the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain 1.3 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows:
140136
141137 1. One percent of the pool to the Virginia Breeders Fund;
142138
143139 2. Fifteen one-hundredths percent to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine;
144140
145141 3. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation;
146142
147143 4. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Horse Industry Board; and
148144
149145 5. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Thoroughbred Association for the promotion of breeding in the Commonwealth.
150146
151147 L. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack on simulcast horse racing transmitted from jurisdictions outside the Commonwealth, involving wagering other than win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain 2.75 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows: 1.75 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, and 1.0 percent to the Virginia locality in which the racetrack is located.
152148
153149 M. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at each Virginia satellite facility on simulcast horse racing transmitted from jurisdictions outside the Commonwealth, involving wagering other than win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain 2.75 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows: 1.75 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, 0.5 percent to the locality in which the satellite facility is located, and 0.5 percent to the Virginia locality in which the racetrack is located.
154150
155151 N. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack and each Virginia satellite facility on simulcast horse racing transmitted from jurisdictions outside the Commonwealth, involving wagering other than win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain 1.3 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows:
156152
157153 1. One percent of the pool to the Virginia Breeders Fund;
158154
159155 2. Fifteen one-hundredths percent to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine;
160156
161157 3. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation;
162158
163159 4. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Horse Industry Board; and
164160
165161 5. Five one-hundredths percent to the Virginia Thoroughbred Association for the promotion of breeding in the Commonwealth.
166162
167163 O. Moneys payable to the Commonwealth shall be deposited in the general fund. Gross receipts for license tax purposes under Chapter 37 ( 58.1-3700 et seq.) of Title 58.1 shall not include pari-mutuel wagering pools and license taxes authorized by this section.
168164
169165 P. All payments by the licensee to the Commonwealth or any locality shall be made within five days from the date on which such wagers are received by the licensee. All payments by the licensee to the Virginia Breeders Fund shall be made to the Commission within five days from the date on which such wagers are received by the licensee. All payments by the licensee to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, the Virginia Horse Industry Board, and the Virginia Thoroughbred Association shall be made by the first day of each quarter of the calendar year. All payments made under this section shall be used in support of the policy of the Commonwealth to sustain and promote the growth of a native industry.
170166
171167 Q. If a satellite facility is located in more than one locality, any amount a licensee is required to pay under this section to the locality in which the satellite facility is located shall be prorated in equal shares among those localities.
172168
173169 R. Any contractual agreement between a licensee and other entities concerning the distribution of the remaining portion of the retainage under subsections I through N and subsections U V and V W shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.
174170
175171 S. The recognized majority horsemen's group racing at a licensed race meeting may, subject to the approval of the Commission, withdraw for administrative costs associated with serving the interests of the horsemen an amount not to exceed two percent of the amount in the horsemen's account.
176172
177173 T. The legitimate breakage from each pari-mutuel pool for live, historical, and simulcast horse racing shall be distributed as follows:
178174
179175 1. Seventy percent to be retained by the licensee to be used for capital improvements that are subject to approval of the Commission; and
180176
181177 2. Thirty percent to be deposited in the Racing Benevolence Fund, administered jointly by the licensee and the recognized majority horsemen's group racing at a licensed race meeting, to be disbursed with the approval of the Commission for gambling addiction and substance abuse counseling, recreational, educational, or other related programs.
182178
183179 U. The legitimate breakage from each pari-mutuel pool for historical horse racing shall be distributed as follows:
184180
185181 1. Seventy percent to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund established pursuant to 37.2-314.2; and
186182
187183 2. Thirty percent to be deposited in the Racing Benevolence Fund, administered jointly by the licensee and the recognized majority horsemen's group racing at a licensed race meeting, to be disbursed with the approval of the Commission for gambling addiction and substance abuse counseling, recreational, educational, or other related programs.
188184
189185 V. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering on historical horse racing on the first 3,000 terminals authorized, the licensee shall retain 1.25 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows:
190186
191187 1. a. If generated at a racetrack, 0.5 percent to the locality in which the racetrack is located; or
192188
193189 b. If generated at a satellite facility, 0.25 percent to the locality in which the satellite facility is located and 0.25 percent to the Virginia locality in which the racetrack is located;
194190
195191 2. To the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund established pursuant to 37.2-314.2, 0.01 percent;
196192
197193 3. To the (i) Virginia Breeders Fund, (ii) Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine for its equine programs, (iii) Virginia Horse Center Foundation, and (iv) Virginia Horse Industry Board, 0.025 percent each; and
198194
199195 4. The remainder to the Commonwealth as a license tax.
200196
201197 V. W. On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering on historical horse racing on the 2,000 terminals authorized by the seventh enactment of Chapters 1197 and 1248 of the Acts of Assembly of 2020, the licensee shall retain 1.6 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows:
202198
203199 1. a. If generated at a racetrack, 0.64 percent to the locality in which the racetrack is located; or
204200
205201 b. If generated at a satellite facility, 0.32 percent to the locality in which the satellite facility is located and 0.32 percent to the Virginia locality in which the racetrack is located;
206202
207203 2. To the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund established pursuant to 37.2-314.2, 0.01 percent;
208204
209205 3. To the (i) Virginia Breeders Fund, (ii) Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine for its equine programs, (iii) Virginia Horse Center Foundation, and (iv) Virginia Horse Industry Board, 0.025 percent each; and
210206
211207 4. The remainder to the Commonwealth as a license tax.