What's happening
This bill updates terminology in racing laws, replacing references to the "board" with "commission" and clarifies steward appointment procedures.
Why it matters
Shifts regulatory authority. by replacing all references to the outdated "state racing and wagering board" (and "board") with the current "commission," which could affect how rules are interpreted, enforced, and appealed within the industry.
Clarifies appointment and replacement procedures. for race stewards, specifying that if a steward cannot serve, a "person" (not just a board member) designated by the commission can fill the role, potentially broadening the pool of eligible replacements and increasing operational flexibility.
Removes language on uncompensated service. , which could imply that designated replacement stewards may now be paid, potentially professionalizing the process and attracting more qualified individuals to act as stewards when needed.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Improve Horse Racing Oversight
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
- Referred to rules
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6390
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 7, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ADDABBO -- (at request of the New York State Gaming Commission) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to improvement of operation in thoroughbred racing
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 218 of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, as amended by chapter 140 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
§ 218. Stewards at race meetings. There shall be three stewards to supervise each running race meeting conducted pursuant to sections two hundred five and two hundred six of this article. One of such stewards shall be the official steward of the [board] commission, one shall be appointed by the jockey club or by the national steeplechase and hunt association as may be appropriate, and one shall be appointed by the corporation conducting such race meeting. Such stewards shall exercise such powers and perform such duties at each race meeting as may be prescribed by the rules of the [state racing and wagering board] commission. During the absence or inability to act of an official steward of the [board] commission, or in the event of the failure or inability to appoint either of the other two stewards, the powers and duties of such steward shall be exercised and performed [without compensation] by a [member of the board] person designated by the [board] commission for that purpose.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09117-01-9
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 improvement of operation 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 of a steward appointed by the Gaming Commission to act or the failure or inability to appoint either of the other two stewards.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 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 the Thoroughbred racing steward if the appointed State steward is absent or unable to act, or if 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). Technical revisions would change references from the former Racing and Wagering Board to the Gaming Commission.
Section 2 would make the bill effective immediately.
Justification
Current law is carried forward from the former Racing and Wagering Board, which merged into the Gaming Commission in 2013. The member s of the former 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 race- track, if necessary. The members of the Gaming Commission, on the other hand, are uncompensated volunteers who have jobs outside of government. See Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law § 102. 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. See Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law § 102(2). 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
S5376 passed the Senate in 2017 and 2018. The substantively similar S7190 passed the Senate in 2016.
Fiscal implications
There would be minimal fiscal impact. There has been no need for the designation of a temporary steward since the creation of the Commission in 2013,but should the need arise, it would likely be appropriate for the Commission to compensate such a designee for performing steward duties.
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.