AB 1152 Summary

• Removes requirement that outriders be licensed as stewards and racing officials; instead requires outrider licensure under general provisions for persons participating in horse racing, with authority for the board to require written and oral examinations.

• Authorizes the California Horse Racing Board to allocate racing dates to thoroughbred associations at alternative racetrack locations in the central or southern zones if their original central zone racetrack is unavailable, effective July 1, 2010.

• Exempts harness racing meetings from the 0.00295 advance deposit wagering deduction calculation (capped at $2,000,000); establishes separate 0.00295 deduction for harness racing (capped at $500,000) distributed to horsemen welfare funds.

• Removes the requirement that jockeys have ridden a minimum of 1,250 parimutuel races to qualify for the defined contribution retirement plan, making the plan available to all California-licensed jockeys who retired on or after January 1, 2009.

• Declares the act an urgency statute effective immediately to enable efficient allocation of racing dates and ensure compliance with federal law regarding the jockey retirement plan.