Horse Racing Law.

Existing law, the Horse Racing Law, generally regulates horse racing and vests the administration and enforcement of the Horse Racing Law in the California Horse Racing Board. Existing law, until January 1, 2018, requires any racing association, including a fair, that conducts thoroughbred racing to pay to the owners' organization contracting with the association with respect to the conduct of thoroughbred racing an additional 134% of the portion required to be deducted for purses for a national marketing program, as specified. Existing law requires an owners' organization to annually file a report with the board and specified committees of the Legislature accounting for the receipt and expenditure of these funds. A violation of the Horse Racing Law is a crime. This bill would extend the requirement to pay the additional percentage until January 1, 2022, and would eliminate the requirement for the owners' organization to file the report with the legislative committees. By extending the duration of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires that all money representing penalties or fines imposed by the stewards of a horse race meeting be collected by the licensee of the meeting and paid to the board within 10 days after its close. This bill would clarify that these moneys are required to be paid to the board within 10 business days after the close. Existing law prescribes the method for redistributing money in a parimutuel pool subject to payment to a claimant, but not successfully claimed. Existing law requires that 12 of the redistributable money resulting from the thoroughbred, harness, or quarter horse meetings, but excluding the meetings of the California Exposition and State Fair or county, district agricultural association, or citrus fruit fair meetings, be distributed to a welfare fund established for the benefit of horsemen and backstretch personnel. This bill would authorize, upon approval of the board, moneys in the welfare fund to be used to provide treatment for, and support the health care needs of, licensees under the Horse Racing Law, employees of racing associations, and members of horsemen's and horsewomen's organizations and other racing-related charitable organizations representing or assisting backstretch personnel, if the need for the treatment and support is related to the person's participation in the horse racing industry. 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.