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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 42
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1182
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to improvement of operations in thoroughbred racing
Purpose of the bill
This bill would change the procedure for persons to act as temporary substitute stewards in Thoroughbred racing in the absence or inability to act of a steward appointed by the Gaming Commission or the failure or inability to appoint either of the other two stewards.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill would amend section 218 of the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law to allow the Gaming Commission to designate a person to exercise the powers and duties of a Thoroughbred racing steward (racing official) if: (i) the appointed State steward is absent or unable to act; or (ii) there is a failure or inability to appoint either of the other two stewards (one of which is appointed by the Jockey Club and the other of which is appointed by the racetrack). Two technical revisions would change references from the former Racing and Wagering Board to the Gaming Commission.
Section 2 of the bill would make it effective immediately.
Justification
Current law is carried forward from the former Racing and Wagering Board, which merged into the Gaming Commission in 2013. The members of the Racing and Wagering Board had been compensated, full-time employees of the State. As such, it was realistic to add to their job duties the necessity of filling in for a steward at a Thoroughbred racetrack when needed.
The members of the Gaming Commission, on the other hand, are uncompensated volunteers who have jobs outside of government. It would be unduly burdensome for any Commission member to devote uncompensated time to performing temporary steward duties. Furthermore, a Commissioner may lack a background and expertise in on-track racing matters. Thoroughbred operations would be improved if, in the absence of a steward, the Gaming Commission could designate a person to perform such duties and have the flexibility to compensate such person for doing so, should the Commission deem it appropriate.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.