SB 1144 Summary

• Adds one percent of in-state horse racing handle to be allocated monthly to a nonprofit organization representing a majority of state horse breeders, with funds distributed to purses, breeder awards, and the retired racehorse adoption fund.

• Implements phased allocation of the one percent in-state handle starting at 34% in fiscal year 2019-2020, increasing to 67% in 2020-2021, and reaching full one percent allocation in 2021-2022 and thereafter.

• Establishes procedures for track stewards to eject or exclude licensed persons from racing meetings if their participation is detrimental to racing integrity, with appeals available to the director and commission within specified timeframes.

• Requires the commission to adopt rules ensuring due process and property rights protections for persons subject to ejection or exclusion determinations and administrative reviews.

• Allows the nonprofit breeder organization to contribute up to $25,000 annually from allocated monies to the retired racehorse adoption fund and requires annual reporting to state officials on fund distributions.