Horse racing: workers' compensation.

Existing law, until January 1, 2014, authorizes a quarter horse racing association to deduct an additional 0.5% of the total amount handled in its exotic parimutuel pools and a harness racing association to deduct an additional 1% of the total amount handled in conventional parimutuel pools of harness races, under certain conditions, for workers' compensation insurance costs of trainers and owners, as specified, with any funds not expended for this purpose in the year in which they are collected to either be used for the following year's workers' compensation costs or to benefit the purse pool, as specified. If the racing association and the organization representing horsemen and horsewomen cannot agree on the manner of distribution of these funds to defray the costs of workers' compensation insurance, the matter is required to be submitted to the California Horse Racing Board for a decision. This bill would also authorize a fair to deduct an additional 0.5% of the total amount handled in exotic parimutuel pools of races for any breed, other than races solely for thoroughbreds. This deduction would also be for similar purposes and subject to similar conditions as the quarter horse racing association and harness racing association authorizations discussed above. This authorization would also expire on January 1, 2014. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.