Apr
8
Written by:
Mark Lavergne
4/8/2011 12:51 PM
“It does not expand gambling in this state,” said Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas), about the bill he carried this morning to continue the Texas Racing Commission for six years. By the time nearly two dozen amendments had been heard, the legislation indeed did not.
The Racing Commission sunset bill, and for that matter any Racing Commission bill, has historically been watched closely for attempts to sneak amendments on that would expand the footprint of gambling in the state.
So what did it do? It addresses problems of “perpetual” licenses. Some of the state's licensed race tracks have not held races in years or even decades, yet the Racing Commission has not had the authority to revoke those licenses.
The bill distinguishes between “active” and “inactive” licenses, and gives the commission authority to declare an active license “inactive.”
The bill says that if a license holder has a license but is not operating an actual active racetrack, he must come before the commission annually for an audit to determine if he is taking good faith steps toward racing at their facilities. It requires the commission to establish criteria for renewing inactive licenses. It clarifies that the Racing Commission has the authority to renew or revoke an active license.
Currently there are three greyhound racetracks in Texas, all long the gulf coast and all active. There are nine horse tracks in the state – only four of which are currently active. One of the horse tracks has been inactive since 1989.
The bill also clarifies that internet wagering is illegal. The bill amends the Texas Racing Act to read: “A person may not accept, in person, by telephone, or over the Internet, a wager for a horse race or greyhound race conducted inside or outside this state from a person in this state unless the wager is authorized under this Act.”
House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Chairman Mike Hamilton (R-Mauriceville) got the bill amended to say that after license applicant’s background check is completed, the Racing Commission has 120 days to decide whether to accept the application or not accept it, so long as the applicant has complied with the statutory requirements. In the past it has taken over 1,000 days for the commission to decide, Anchia said.
Rep. Will Hartnett (R-Dallas) brought an amendment to require licensees to hold their first race no more than three years after their license is declared inactive. If you don’t have a first race three years from today or from the issuance of your license in the future, you lose your license. It “forces these folks to put up or shut down in three years,” Hartnett said.
Anchia said this does not preclude the commission from annually reviewing inactive licenses.
After the bill passes, Anchia said, the Racing Commission will be completely self-funding.
The bill passed on a voice vote.