Horse racing: thoroughbred racing: California-bred bonus program.

Existing law, the Horse Racing Law, provides for the regulation of horse racing in this state. Violations of the Horse Racing Law are generally misdemeanors. Existing law provides for owner premiums, and breeder and stallion awards, as specified. Existing law provides various definitions for purposes of these provisions, including a definition for "certain claiming races." This bill would revise the definition of "certain claiming races" for those purposes. Existing law requires any association conducting a race meeting that includes thoroughbred racing to deposit certain sums with the official registering agency for thoroughbred horses, and requires that official registering agency to distribute a portion of those sums annually to the California-bred race fund for the promotion of California-bred races and for purses for California Cup Day and other California-bred races, and to the owner fund for owner premiums, as provided. This bill would require the official registering agency to also distribute a certain portion of those sums annually to the California-bred bonus program, which would be required to be administered by the official registering agency, for payment of bonuses to California-bred horses in maiden allowance races in California. This bill would also require the organization responsible for negotiating purse agreements on behalf of thoroughbred horsemen participating in racing meetings to pay, from purse revenues generated, to the official registering agency for the purpose of the California-bred bonus program the same amount as the official registering agency, not to exceed $2,000,000 annually, as specified. By imposing new requirements under the Horse Racing Law, the violation of which would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.