AR SB293

Any increase in licensing fees designated by the Arkansas Racing Commission after January 1, 2017, shall be deposited into a cash fund of the Division of Racing within the Department of Finance and Administration for both horse racing and dog racing operations.

Commission-approved funds from the cash account may be used to pay for drug testing and other expenses related to regulation of horse racing and dog racing in Arkansas.

Changed fingerprinting requirements from mandatory to discretionary, allowing the commission to require applicants for horse owner, trainer, jockey, and jockey agent licenses to be fingerprinted at the commission's discretion rather than as a blanket requirement.

Changed fingerprinting requirements for greyhound owners and trainers to discretionary, with the commission authorized to require fingerprints if deemed necessary rather than mandating them for all applicants.

Fingerprints required by the commission shall be forwarded to the Department of Arkansas State Police for statewide criminal and noncriminal background checks for both horse racing and dog racing licensees.