Horse racing: out-of-state or out-of-country harness or quarter horse races.

Under the Horse Racing Law, the California Horse Racing Board is authorized to permit a harness or quarter horse association conducting a horse race to accept wagers on the results of out-of-state, out-of-country, and other designated harness or quarter horse races, if specified conditions are met, including that the association conducts at least 7 live races and imports not more than 10 races on live racing days. That law also provides that an association that is authorized to import races pursuant to these provisions, may, at its sole discretion, import fewer than the maximum number of harness or quarter horse races that are authorized. The Horse Racing Law also provides that, for up to 2 races per night, for each race that is not imported under the maximum authorized by these provisions on a particular night of racing, the association may add a race to the number of races allowable under the maximum authorization on another night of racing. That law also provides, however, that no more than 2 races may be added under these provisions to the number allowable on a single night, and the total number of imported races over a calendar year may not exceed the total number of imported races authorized pursuant to these provisions. This bill would increase the number of races that may be added per night to 3 races. Under existing law, revenues distributed to the state from horse racing are required to be deposited in the Fair and Exposition Fund and are continuously appropriated to the Secretary of Food and Agriculture for various regulatory and general governmental purposes. By increasing the number of races that may be added per night under these provisions, this bill would authorize additional wagering, and would thus increase the amount of continuously appropriated license fees, thereby making an appropriation.