Bill Text: NJ A4341 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Increases from 3.2% to 5% percentage of certain dedicated purse moneys used for horsemen aid programs and the association from Standardbred racing at private racetracks.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-07-02 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee [A4341 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A4341-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Increases from 3.2% to 5% percentage of certain dedicated purse moneys used for horsemen aid programs and the association from Standardbred racing at private racetracks.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning certain amounts dedicated for programs designed to aid the horsemen and the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey from Standardbred racing at private racetracks and amending P.L.1940, c.17.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 46 of P.L.1940, c.17 (C.5:5-66) is amended to read as follows:
46. Every permitholder engaged in the business of conducting horse race meetings under this act, except the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority established pursuant to P.L.1971, c.137 (C.5:10-1 et seq.) or a lessee of the authority, shall make disposition of the deposits remaining undistributed pursuant to section 44 of P.L.1940, c.17 (C.5:5-64) as follows:
a. In the case of harness races:
(1) On a racing day designated or allotted as a charity racing day pursuant to P.L.1977, c.200 (C.5:5-44.2 et seq.), P.L.1993, c.15 (C.5:5-44.8), or section 1 of P.L.1997, c.80 (C.5:5-44.9), pay to the commission, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the commission, 1.25% of so much of the total contributions to all parimutuel pools conducted or made on any and every horse race, except that for pools where the patron is required to select two horses, the permitholder shall pay 2.25% of the total contributions and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the permitholder shall pay 5.25% of the total contributions;
(2) Hold and set aside in an account designated as a special trust account 1.15% of such total contributions in all pools, to be used and distributed as hereinafter provided and as provided in section 5 of P.L.1967, c.40 (C.5:5-88), for the following purposes and no other:
(a) 37% thereof to increase purses and grant awards for starting horses, as provided or as may be provided by rules of the New Jersey Racing Commission, with payment to be made in the same manner as payment of other purses and awards, unless otherwise provided by a contractual agreement authorized under section 11 of P.L.2013, c.266 (C.5:5-188);
(b) 55% thereof for the establishment of a Sire Stakes Program for standardbred horses, with payment to be made to the Department of Agriculture for administration as hereinbefore provided;
(c) 5% thereof to the Sire
Stakes Program for purse supplements designed to improve and promote the
standardbred breeding industry in New Jersey by increasing purses for owners of
horses
that are sired by a New Jersey registered stallion and are eligible to participate in the Sire Stakes Program. The Sire Stakes Program board of trustees shall consult with the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey before disbursing money for purse supplements;
(d) 3% thereof for other New Jersey horse breeding and promotion conducted by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
(3) Retain 7.7875%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 7.20%, of so much of such total contributions for his own uses and purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for pools where the patron is required to select two horses, the permitholder shall retain 8.7575%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 7.70%, of the total contributions and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the permitholder shall retain 11.6675%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 9.20%, of the total contributions. Each permitholder shall contribute out of its 11.6675% or 9.20% share of pools, where the patron is required to select three or more horses, a sum deemed necessary by the racing commission, to finance a prerace blood testing program, and such other testing programs which the commission shall deem proper and necessary and which shall be subject to the regulation and control of said commission.
(4) Distribute as purse money and for programs designed to aid the horsemen and the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey 7.69375%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 7.40%, of such total contributions. Expenditures for programs designed to aid the horsemen and the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey shall not exceed [3.2%] 5% of the sum available for distribution as purse money. The formula for distribution of the purse money as either overnight purses or special stakes shall be determined by an agreement between the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey and the tracks. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for pools where the patron is required to select two or more horses, the permitholder shall distribute as purse money 8.42875%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 7.90%, of the total contributions and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the permitholder shall distribute as purse money 10.63375%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 9.40%, of the total contributions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for pools where a patron is required to select three or more horses, each permitholder shall retain out of the 10.63375% or 9.40% to be distributed as purse money a sum deemed necessary by the racing commission, for use by the commission to finance a prerace blood testing program, and such other testing programs which the commission shall deem proper and necessary and which shall be subject to the regulation and control of said commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sum available for distribution as purse money under this subsection may be distributed as provided by a contractual agreement authorized under section 11 of P.L.2013, c.266 (C.5:5-188).
(5) In the case of races on a racing day other than a charity racing day, distribute to the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey for the administration of a health benefits program for horsemen .29375% of such total contributions, except that for pools where the patron is required to select two or more horses, the amount shall be .52875%, and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the amount shall be 1.23375%.
(6) In the case of races on a racing day other than a charity racing day, distribute to the Sire Stakes Program for standardbred horses .05% of such total contributions, except that for pools where the patron is required to select two or more horses, the amount shall be .09%, and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the amount shall be .21%.
(7) In the case of races on a racing day other than a charity racing day, distribute to the Backstretch Benevolency Programs Fund created pursuant to P.L.1993, c.15 (C.5:5-44.8) .025% of such total contributions, except that for pools where the patron is required to select two or more horses, the amount shall be .045%, and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the amount shall be .105%.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no admission or amusement tax, excise tax, license or horse racing fee of any kind shall be assessed or collected from any permitholder by the State of New Jersey, or by any county or municipality, or by any other body having power to assess or collect license fees or taxes.
b. In the case of running races:
(1) Where the amount derived from the parimutuel handle, excluding the handle derived from intertrack wagering, does not exceed $1 million per day based on such contributions accumulated and averaged during the calendar year, the permitholder shall:
(a) On a racing day designated or allotted as a charity racing day pursuant to P.L.1977, c.200 (C.5:5-44.2 et seq.), P.L.1993, c.15 (C.5:5-44.8), or section 1 of P.L.1997, c.80 (C.5:5-44.9), pay to the commission, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the commission, .30% of so much of the total contributions to all parimutuel pools conducted or made on any and every horse race, except that for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the permitholder shall pay 1.30% of the total contributions.
(b) Hold and set aside in an account designated as a special trust account .05% of such total contributions to be used and distributed for State horse breeding and development programs, research, fairs, horse shows, youth activities, promotion and administration, as provided in section 5 of P.L.1967, c.40 (C.5:5-88).
(c) Retain 9.991%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 9.85%, of such total contributions for his own uses and purposes. For pools where the patron is required to select two horses, the permitholder shall retain 11.061%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 10.92%, of the total contributions and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the permitholder shall retain 13.941%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 13.33%, of the total contributions. Each permitholder shall contribute out of its 13.941% or 13.33% share of pools, where the patron is required to select three or more horses, a sum deemed necessary by the racing commission, to finance a prerace blood testing program, and such other testing programs which the commission shall deem proper and necessary and which shall be subject to the regulation and control of the commission.
(d) Distribute as purse money and for programs designed to aid the horsemen and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association 6.141%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 6.00%, of such contributions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for pools where the patron is required to select two horses, the permitholder shall distribute as purse money 7.071%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 6.93%, of such contributions and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the permitholder shall distribute as purse money 9.631%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 9.02%, of the total contributions. Expenditures for programs designed to aid the horsemen and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association shall not exceed 2.5% of the sum available for distribution as purse money from all parimutuel pools. The formula for distribution of the purse money as either overnight purses or special stakes shall be determined by an agreement between the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the permitholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for pools where a patron is required to select three or more horses, each permitholder shall retain out of the 9.631% or 9.02% to be distributed as purse money a sum deemed necessary by the racing commission, for use by the commission to finance a prerace blood testing program, and such other testing programs which the commission shall deem proper and necessary and which shall be subject to the regulation and control of the commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sum available for distribution as purse money under this subsection may be distributed as provided by a contractual agreement authorized under section 12 of P.L.2013, c.266 (C.5:5-189).
(e) Deduct and set aside in a special trust account for the establishment and support by the commission of the thoroughbred breeding industry in New Jersey .8% of such total contributions, except that for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the amount shall be 1.3%. The money in the special trust account shall be used to: (i) improve purses for closed races; (ii) provide awards to owners and breeders of registered New Jersey bred horses who earn portions of purses in open or closed races at New Jersey race tracks or in closed races at an out-of-State track as part of a multi-state event to promote thoroughbred breeding, and to owners of stallions posted on the official stallion roster of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey, which sire such New Jersey bred money earners; and (iii) provide awards to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders' Association for programs beneficial to thoroughbred breeding in this State. In any calendar year in which there is a surplus in the special trust account, the surplus funds may be used to provide awards to breeders or owners of registered New Jersey bred horses who earn portions of purses in races at an out-of-State racetrack held at least 30 days before the start of the first thoroughbred meet of the calendar year of more than 10 days' duration at a racetrack in this State or at least 30 days following the conclusion of the last thoroughbred meet of the calendar year of more than 10 days' duration at a racetrack in this State. The New Jersey thoroughbred award program shall be administered and disbursed by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey subject to the approval of the commission. The special trust account to be established pursuant to this paragraph shall be separate and apart from the special trust account established and maintained pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this paragraph.
(f) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1986, c.19.)
(g) In the case of races on a racing day other than a charity racing day, distribute to the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey .012% of such total contributions, except that for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the amount shall be .052%.
(h) In the case of races on a racing day other than a charity racing day, distribute to the Backstretch Benevolency Programs Fund created pursuant to P.L.1993, c.15 (C.5:5-44.8) .006% of such total contributions, except that for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the amount shall be .026%.
(i) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2002, c.103).
(j) Except as otherwise provided by law, not be subject to an admission or amusement tax, excise tax, license or horse racing fee of any kind by the State of New Jersey, or by any county or municipality, or by any other body having power to assess or collect license fees or taxes.
(2) Where the amount derived from the parimutuel handle, excluding the handle derived from intertrack wagering, exceeds $1 million per day based on such contributions accumulated and averaged during the calendar year, the permitholder shall:
(a) On a racing day designated or allotted as a charity racing day pursuant to P.L.1977, c.200 (C.5:5-44.2 et seq.), P.L.1993, c.15 (C.5:5-44.8), or section 1 of P.L.1997, c.80 (C.5:5-44.9), pay to the commission, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the commission, .50% of so much of the total contributions to all parimutuel pools conducted or made on any and every horse race.
(b) Hold and set aside in an account designated as a special trust account .05% of such total contributions to be used and distributed for State horse breeding and development programs, research, fairs, horse shows, youth activities, promotion and administration, as provided in section 5 of P.L.1967, c.40 (C.5:5-88).
(c) Retain 9.305%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 9.07%, of such total contributions for his own uses and purposes. For pools where the patron is required to select two horses, the permitholder shall retain 10.375%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 10.14%, of the total contributions and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the permitholder shall retain 13.545%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 13.31%, of the total contributions. Each permitholder shall contribute out of its 13.545% or 13.31% share of pools, where the patron is required to select three or more horses, a sum deemed necessary by the racing commission, to finance a prerace blood testing program, and such other testing programs which the commission shall deem proper and necessary and which shall be subject to the regulation and control of the commission.
(d) Distribute as purse money and for programs designed to aid the horsemen and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association 6.815%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 6.58%, of such contributions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for pools where the patron is required to select two horses, the permitholder shall distribute as purse money 7.745%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 7.51%, of such contributions and for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the permitholder shall distribute as purse money 10.085%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 9.85%, of the total contributions. Expenditures for programs designed to aid the horsemen and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association shall not exceed 2.5% of the sum available for distribution as purse money from all parimutuel pools. The formula for distribution of the purse money as either overnight purses or special stakes shall be determined by an agreement between the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the permitholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for pools where a patron is required to select three or more horses, each permitholder shall retain out of the 10.085% or 9.85% to be distributed as purse money a sum deemed necessary by the racing commission, for use by the commission to finance a prerace blood testing program, and such other testing programs which the commission shall deem proper and necessary and which shall be subject to the regulation and control of the commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sum available for distribution as purse money under this subsection may be distributed as provided by a contractual agreement authorized under section 12 of P.L.2013, c.266 (C.5:5-189).
(e) Deduct and set aside in a special trust account for the establishment and support by the commission of the thoroughbred breeding industry in New Jersey .8% of such total contributions, except that for pools where the patron is required to select three or more horses, the amount shall be 1.29%. The money in the special trust account shall be used to: (i) improve purses for closed races; (ii) provide awards to owners and breeders of registered New Jersey bred horses who earn portions of purses in open or closed races at New Jersey race tracks or in closed races at an out-of-State track as part of a multi-state event to promote thoroughbred breeding, and to owners of stallions posted on the official stallion roster of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey, which sire such New Jersey bred money earners; and (iii) provide awards to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders' Association for programs beneficial to thoroughbred breeding in this State. In any calendar year in which there is a surplus in the special trust account, the surplus funds may be used to provide awards to breeders or owners of registered New Jersey bred horses who earn portions of purses in races at an out-of-State racetrack held at least 30 days before the start of the first thoroughbred meet of the calendar year of more than 10 days' duration at a racetrack in this State or at least 30 days following the conclusion of the last thoroughbred meet of the calendar year at a racetrack of more than 10 days' duration in this State. The New Jersey thoroughbred award program shall be administered and disbursed by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey subject to the approval of the commission. The special trust account to be established pursuant to this paragraph shall be separate and apart from the special trust account established and maintained pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this paragraph.
(f) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1986, c.19.)
(g) In the case of races on a racing day other than a charity racing day, distribute to the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey .02% of such total contributions.
(h) In the case of races on a racing day other than a charity racing day, distribute to the Backstretch Benevolency Programs Fund created pursuant to P.L.1993, c.15 (C.5:5-44.8) .01% of such total contributions.
(i) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2002, c.103).
(j) Except as otherwise provided by law, not be subject to an admission or amusement tax, excise tax, license or horse racing fee of any kind from any permitholder by the State of New Jersey, or by any county or municipality, or by any other body having power to assess or collect license fees or taxes.
(cf. P.L.2013, c.266, s.2).
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under current law, each racetrack authorized to conduct horse racing in this State must distribute amounts remaining after payments are made to winning bettors according to established formulas. These distributions fund various horse racing industry purposes. Under one particular distribution requirement, a Standardbred racetrack, other than a New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority racetrack or a lessee of the authority, must distribute as purse money and for programs designed to aid the horsemen and the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey 7.69375%, or in the case of races on a charity racing day 7.40%, of such amounts. That particular distribution requirement further provides that expenditures for programs designed to aid the horsemen and the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey must not exceed 3.2% of the sum available for distribution as purse money. Under the bill, that 3.2% will increase to 5% to codify a contractual agreement between the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey and the private Standardbred racetrack in this State. This increase in the percentage of such purse moneys that can be used to aid the Standardbred horsemen is the same percentage available for that purpose under the distribution formula applicable to sums from Standardbred racing generated at a racetrack operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority or a lessee of the authority, therefore making this particular provision consistent for Standardbred racing in this State.
