HBA-DMH H.B. 2484 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2484
By: Wilson
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
3/23/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Racing Commission (commission) is responsible for ensuring fair
wagering, safe racing, and helping the racing industry grow as an asset to
the state's economy. The commission was continued by the legislature under
recommendation from the Sunset Advisory Commission on September 1, 1997.
House Bill 2484 modifies language relating to breed registry, new racetrack
locations, and tax collection to clarify changes made in 1997.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2484 amends the Texas Racing Act to authorize a horse breed
registry by rule to restrict  the eligibility of its horses for accredited
Texas-bred awards or purse supplements when the horse runs in mixed racing.
The bill removes the provision that specifies the Texas Appaloosa Horse
Club as the appropriate breed registry for Appaloosa horses. 

The bill prohibits the Texas Racing Commission (commission) from approving
the location of a racetrack within 100 miles of an existing Class 1
racetrack unless the affected Class 1 racetrack consents to the new
location.  If intrastate wagering pools are combined between tracks, the
bill provides that the receiving track, rather than the track where the
race originates, is responsible for the state's share of the pari-mutuel
pool. 

The bill repeals law relating to the employment of former commission
members and employees, racetrack license requirements for residency and
operation, and  racetrack ownership. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.