HB5903 Summary

• Amends Section 30 of the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 to modify the composition of the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders Fund Advisory Board, increasing breeder representatives from 2 to 3 and restructuring horsemen's association representation by county (Madison County and Cook County separately).

• Establishes a Thoroughbred Breeder's Program Task Force to be appointed by the Governor by September 1, 1999, with representatives from breeders, horsemen's associations, race tracks, and state officials to make recommendations to the General Assembly by March 1, 2000.

• Maintains 8.5% of privilege taxes on thoroughbred racing meetings directed to the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders Fund for purse supplements, stakes awards, breeding incentives, county fair races, educational and research programs, and scholarships for equine veterinary students.

• Requires organization licensees to conduct at least 2 races daily and 6 races weekly limited to Illinois-conceived and/or Illinois-foaled horses, with conditions commensurate with available horse quality.

• Mandates 12.5% of first prize money from races involving Illinois horses be distributed as breeders' awards: 11.5% to breeders and 1% to the breeder representative organization for verification and promotion services.