AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, when granted a license by the Texas Racing Commission (TRC) to construct and operate a horse or greyhound racetrack for pari-mutuel betting, the licensee is given a temporary license to operate a pre-opening simulcast facility while the track is being built. This temporary license expires after two years, at which point the licensee must either open the racetrack or close the pre-opening simulcast facility.
This bill extends that temporary license to six years in order to allow the licensee a sufficient amount of time to operate a pre-opening simulcast facility. C.S.S.B. 1340 allows these businesses to have more time to advertise and raise money. This bill applies only to an association that has been granted a temporary license by TRC and who have not yet opened a race track.
C.S.S.B. 1340 amends current law relating to the temporary operation of a race track extension location.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Article 179(e), V.T.C.S., by amending Section 6.15, to authorize the Texas Racing Commission (TRC), after an association has been granted a license to operate a racetrack and before the completion of construction at the designated place for which the license was issued, to, on application by the association, issue a temporary license that permits the association to conduct races at a location in the same county for a period expiring six, rather than two, years after the date of issuance of the temporary license or on the completion of the permanent facility, whichever occurs first.
SECTION 2. Requires TRC to grant an extension of up to four years for any association currently in possession of an unexpired temporary license as described in Section 1 of this bill.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.