AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Across the state, match races between horses or greyhounds are being held at private brush tracks. The Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) believes there are between 30 and 50 of these tracks in operation. DPS reports that these events can draw anywhere from 30 to 40 patrons on the low end and up to 2,000 for bigger tracks. This bill amends the mass gatherings code to allow a county's local law enforcement and health officials to determine, through a permit process, if certain standards for public health and safety are sufficiently being met at these events.
As proposed, S.B. 917 amends current law relating to the applicability of the Texas Mass Gatherings Act to certain horse and greyhound races.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 751, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 751.0021, as follows:
Sec. 751.0021. APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN HORSE AND GREYHOUND RACES. (a) Provides that this chapter applies to a horse or greyhound race that attracts or is expected to attract at least 100 persons, except that this chapter does not apply if the race is held at a location at which pari-mutuel wagering is authorized under the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
(b) Provides that this section does not legalize any activity prohibited under the Penal Code or other state law.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.