What's happening
This bill changes the composition of the local advisory board for the Belmont racetrack facility, specifying how its 15 members are appointed.
Why it matters
Shifts local representation. By specifying that several board members must reside in Elmont and that other slots go to local village mayors and boards, the bill aims to ensure the communities directly surrounding Belmont racetrack have a stronger voice in decisions and oversight.
Balances stakeholder interests. The new composition divides appointments among county, town, village, racing association, and Queens Community Board representatives, reflecting a broader range of local and organizational interests that may be impacted by racetrack operations.
May affect local influence on racetrack policy. With more defined and localized representation, the advisory board could more effectively raise and address neighborhood concerns related to traffic, noise, development, and community benefits from the racetrack.
Could set a precedent for other facilities. These changes could serve as a model for how other large venues or facilities structure local advisory boards to provide more targeted and effective community input.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Change Belmont Board Makeup
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A2317B
- Amended on third reading 5481b
- Amended on third reading 5481a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.658
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Change Belmont Board Membership
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5481--B Cal. No. 658
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 2, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAPLAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading -- again amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to the composition of the local advisory board for the Belmont racetrack facility
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 6 of section 212 of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, as added by chapter 18 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
6. Within thirty days following the appointment of the members of the franchise oversight board, the members of the oversight board shall establish a local advisory board for each racing operation comprised of the following members to meet at least twice yearly:
a. The local advisory board for the Saratoga racetrack facility shall be comprised of fifteen members and include five designees from each of the following: the board of supervisors, the mayor of the city of Saratoga and the franchised corporation.
b. The local advisory board for the Aqueduct racetrack facility shall be comprised of fifteen members, nine of whom shall be designees of New York City Queens Community Board Ten, three designees of the franchised corporation and three designees of the video lottery gaming operator.
c. The local advisory board for the Belmont racetrack facility shall be comprised of fifteen members to be appointed as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05145-07-9
S. 5481--B 2
(i) Five members from Nassau county to be appointed by the Nassau county executive. Four of such members must reside in the hamlet of Elmont.
(ii) Two members from the town of Hempstead to be appointed by the supervisor of the town of Hempstead. Both members must reside in the hamlet of Elmont.
(iii) Two members to be appointed by the mayor of the village of Floral Park, subject to village board approval.
(iv) One member to be appointed by the mayor of the village of South Floral Park, subject to village board approval.
(v) Three members to be appointed by the New York Racing Association, Inc.
(vi) Two members to be appointed by the New York City Queens Community Board 13.
The members of the local advisory boards shall serve for a period of two years. In the event of a vacancy occurring during a term of appointment by reason of death, resignation, disqualification or otherwise such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The members of the local advisory board shall serve without compensation, except that each member shall be allowed the necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties pursuant to this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to the composition of the local advisory board for the Belmont racetrack facility
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation constitutes a fifteen member advisory board for Belmont.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 creates a 15 member Belmont racetrack advisory board. Of these members five are designees of Nassau County of which four must be resi- dents of Elmont, two members from the town of Hempstead where both must be Elmont residents, three designees by NYRA, one member by South Floral Park, two by Queens Community Board 13, and two designees of the village of Floral Park, Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
This legislation creates a fifteen member advisory panel for the Belmont Racetrack. Under current law both the Saratoga and Aqueduct racetracks have advisory panels, so that this legislation seeks to create parity between these three racetracks. Further, this legislation seeks to provide representation to Elmont, Floral Park, South Floral Park, Nassau County, town of North Hempstead, Queens County and NYRA. The goal of this advisory board is to work as a liaison between NYRA and the local communities to ensure the public's voice is heard as it relates to oper- ation of the Belmont racetrack.
Prior legislative history
Similar to A.8627 of 2018.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
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.