text:
In performing its responsibilities, the board shall do all of the following:

(a) Establish safety standards governing the uniformity and content of the track base and racing surface, inner and outer rails, gates and gaps, turf, access and egress to the track, lighting for night racing, equipment for horse and rider, drainage, communications, veterinary services, medical and ambulance services, and other track facilities in order to improve the safety of horses, riders, and workers at the racetrack.

(b) Designate a steward at all horse racing meetings to be responsible for enforcing compliance with safety standards.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


kind: section

code: BPC

text:
(a) Every racing association and racing fair licensed pursuant to this article shall maintain, staff, and supply an on-track first aid facility, that may be either permanent or mobile, and which shall be staffed and equipped as directed by the board. A qualified and licensed physician shall be on duty at all times during live racing, except that this provision shall not apply to: (1) a quarter horse racing association if there is a hospital situated no more than 1.5 miles from the racetrack and the racetrack has an agreement with the hospital to provide emergency medical services to jockeys and riders, or (2) a harness racing association if there is a hospital situated no more than 2.5 miles from the racetrack and the harness racing association has an agreement with the hospital to provide emergency medical services to injured drivers. An ambulance licensed to operate on public highways provided by the track shall be available at all times during live racing and shall be staffed by two emergency medical technicians licensed in accordance with Division 2.5 (commencing with Section 1797) of the Health and Safety Code, one of whom may be an Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic, as defined in Section 1797.84 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) Each racing association and racing fair shall adopt and maintain an emergency medical plan detailing the procedures that shall be used in the event of an on-track injury. The plan shall be posted in each jockey room in English and Spanish.

(c) Prior to every race meeting, the racing association or racing fair shall contact area hospitals to coordinate procedures for the rapid admittance and treatment of emergency injuries.

(d) Each racing association or racing fair shall designate a health and safety manager and assistant manager, who shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this section and one of whom shall be on duty at all times when live racing is conducted. The health and safety manager may, at the discretion of the racing association, be the person designated to perform risk management duties on behalf of the association.

(e) The stewards shall investigate and prepare a report with respect to all on-track accidents involving jockeys that occur during the performance of their duties. The report shall, at a minimum, identify the circumstances of the accident, the likely causes, and the extent of any injuries. The investigation shall be commenced no later than the next live racing day and shall be completed expeditiously. Upon completion of the report, it shall immediately be sent by facsimile or electronic mail to the entity certified to provide health and welfare for jockeys pursuant to Section 19612.9, to the jockey or his or her representative, the racing association, and the owner and trainer of the horse the jockey was riding at the time of the accident.

(f) The board shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section no later than July 1, 2007.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 19, Sec. 1. Effective June 2, 2008.)

division: 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS

chapter: 4. Horse Racing

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators

path: 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS > 4. Horse Racing > 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no license shall be issued to conduct a horse racing meeting upon a track unless the track has been inspected by the board within 30 days prior to the date of application for a license and the track has been approved by the board as conforming to the racetrack safety standards set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 19481.

(b) The board shall adopt regulations to establish standards governing the employee housing provided to backstretch personnel at licensed racetracks. These regulations shall be commensurate with the housing standards established in the Employee Housing Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 17000) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code), and shall consider the following:

(1) The health and safety of the human and equine population and the necessity for humans and horses to live in close proximity.

(2) The housing needs of state or county facilities with live racing meetings of no more than 43 days in duration that do not operate as year-round training facilities. The board shall specifically consider the different needs of these facilities compared to permanent facilities or other state and county facilities that function on a year-round basis, including state and county fair facilities that operate as year-round training facilities where horses are stabled and workers live.

(3) Compliance of facilities with racing meetings of 19 days or less, even if they operate as a year-round training facility, with this subdivision shall be contingent on funding in the Budget Act of 2002 (Chapter 379 of the Statutes of 2002).

(c) Commencing January 1, 2004, the board, with assistance from the California Department of Housing and Community Development or a local building department or other local entity designated by the jurisdiction in which the racetrack is located, shall annually inspect the living conditions of backstretch employee housing to ensure compliance with the housing standards established by the board, the findings or results of which shall be submitted to the board. No license shall be issued to a racing association to conduct a horse race meeting unless the board has inspected the housing conditions that exist on the racetrack’s backstretch and determined the living conditions to be in compliance with the standards established by the board in subdivision (b).

(d) The board may assess a reasonable fee upon racing associations to defray the costs associated with the inspections provided for in subdivision (c).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 296, Sec. 21. (AB 1023) Effective January 1, 2012.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
(a) (1) The board may, at any time, immediately suspend a license to conduct a racing meeting when necessary to protect the health and safety of the horses or riders that are present at the racing meeting.

(2) The suspension shall require a vote of at least four members of the board.

(3) The suspension shall remain in effect until the board determines that the matters jeopardizing the health and safety of the horses or riders that are present at the racing meeting have been adequately addressed.

(4) As a condition of lifting the suspension, the board may require a licensee to comply with additional safety standards or other requirements as it deems necessary or desirable for the best interests of horse racing and the purposes of this chapter.

(5) The suspension is not a revocation subject to the proceedings required by Section 19461, regardless of any effect on a license issued under this chapter.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), an emergency meeting may be called at any time by the chairperson of the board, the executive director, or by a majority of the members of the board to consider suspending a license to conduct a racing meeting when there exists an emergency situation involving matters upon which prompt action is necessary to protect the health and safety of the horses or riders that are present at the racing meeting.

(2) An emergency meeting held pursuant to this section is exempt from the 10-day notice requirement of Section 11125 of the Government Code or the 48-hour notice requirement of Section 11125.4 of the Government Code if the delay necessitated by those requirements would significantly and adversely impact the board’s ability to protect the health and safety of the horses or riders that were present at the racing meeting.

(3) Before the commencement of the emergency meeting, the board shall make a finding in open session that the delay necessitated by providing the 10-day notice required by Section 11125 of the Government Code or 48 hours before a meeting as required by Section 11125.4 of the Government Code would significantly and adversely impact the board’s ability to protect the health and safety of the horses or riders that are present at that racing meeting. The finding shall be adopted by a vote of at least four members of the board. Failure to adopt the finding shall terminate the meeting.

(4) Newspapers of general circulation and radio or television stations that have requested notice of meetings pursuant to Section 11125 of the Government Code shall be notified by the executive director, or a designee thereof, at least one hour before the emergency meeting by telephone. Notice shall also be made available on the board’s internet website as soon as is practicable after the decision to call the emergency meeting has been made. Notwithstanding Section 11125 of the Government Code, the board may take action at the emergency meeting on an item of business involving the emergency situation that is not included in the agenda, if any, that accompanies a notice provided pursuant to this paragraph.

(5) The minutes of the emergency meeting, a copy of the rollcall vote, and any action taken at the meeting shall be posted for a minimum of 10 days in a public place as soon after the meeting as is possible.

(c) (1) It is unlawful to conduct a racing meeting under a license suspended pursuant to this section or, if the suspension is lifted, without meeting a condition imposed pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a).

(2) The board shall review any action taken under this section within 10 calendar days.

(3) Nothing in this section supersedes or limits the board’s authority to suspend or deny a license under any other law, rule, or regulation.

(d) The board shall adopt emergency regulations pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code to implement this section. The board may readopt, pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, any emergency regulation authorized by this section that is the same as, or substantially equivalent to, an emergency regulation previously adopted as authorized by this section. No such regulation shall be readopted on an emergency basis pursuant to this section more than a total of two times. Notwithstanding any other law, the initial adoption of emergency regulations and the readoption of emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be deemed an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 22, Sec. 1. (SB 469) Effective June 26, 2019.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
No license to conduct a horse racing meeting shall be issued to any of the following:

(a) Any nonprofit corporation entitled to an exemption from any tax imposed by this State.

(b) Any applicant who proposes to conduct a horse racing meeting for the benefit of any such nonprofit corporation or under any arrangement pursuant to which such nonprofit corporation is to share in the receipts of the licensee from the conduct of such meeting, whether by rentals or otherwise.

Nothing in this section prohibits the board, in its discretion, from issuing a license to conduct a horse racing meeting to any corporation to which it has, prior to September 7, 1955, issued a license to conduct such a meeting.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 1828.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
Unless the board finds that the purpose of this chapter will be better served thereby, no license to conduct a horseracing meeting at any track shall be issued to any person or held by any person having any financial interest in the conduct of any horseracing meeting by any other person at any other track in this State.

Ownership of stock in one corporation by another corporation constitutes a financial interest within the meaning of this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1963, Ch. 2059.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text: Unless the board finds that the purpose of this chapter will be better served thereby, no person licensed under this article to conduct a horseracing meeting at any place, track or inclosure shall own or acquire any stock or hold or obtain any other financial interest in any other track of another such licensee or in the operation thereof, or in the operation of authorized wagering on the results of horseraces at any such other track.

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
The board shall not issue a license to conduct a horse racing meeting at any place, track or inclosure, not used for horse racing meetings prior to July 1, 1941, unless prior to the beginning of the construction or preparation of such track for horse racing meetings, the board, upon application in such form as it may require, has determined that the conduct of horse racing meetings at such track will be in the public interest and will subserve the purposes of this chapter.

This section does not apply in respect to any track of not less than five-eighths of one mile in circumference or length partially or entirely in the infield of a mile track constructed and operated by a thoroughbred licensee under this article provided that such infield track is to be used solely for thoroughbred racing.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 33. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text: Notwithstanding Section 19485, any licensed racing association operating a racetrack may construct another track of not less than one-half mile in circumference or length partially or entirely in the infield of such track, if prior to the beginning of construction or preparation of such track for horse race meetings, the board has determined upon application, in such form as it may require, that the conduct of horse race meetings at such track will be in the public interest and subserve the purposes of this chapter. A license may be granted to any harness racing association to conduct a harness racing meeting upon such a track of less than one mile.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 35. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
(a) Every license issued under this article shall specify the following:

(1) The name of the person to whom it is issued.

(2) The track where the horse racing meeting to which it relates is to be held or conducted.

(3) The days and hours of the day when the meeting will be permitted.

(4) The number and types of races to be run on each day of the meeting.

(5) The number of useable stalls available for the meeting.

(6) The name of the person responsible for supervising the maintenance of racetrack safety standards.

(b) The license shall also recite the payment to, and receipt by, the board of the deposit to secure payment of the license fee required by this article.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 36. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
A license issued under this article is not transferable nor does it permit the conduct of a horse racing meeting at any track not specified therein.

If, however, the track specified in a license becomes unsuitable for racing because of fire, flood, or other catastrophe, the meeting or any remaining portion thereof may be conducted at any other track specified by the board in the same area. The board may specify any other track within the area for the conduct of the meeting, whether or not such conduct would result in increasing the number of racing days in the county or area in which such track is situated. Before any other track is so specified, the board shall obtain the consent of the person licensed to conduct a meeting at the track which has become unsuitable for racing and of the owners and operators licensed to conduct a meeting at such other track.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 37. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text: Each application for a license to conduct a horse racing meeting shall be accompanied by a deposit to secure the payment of any license fee imposed by this article, in the form of a certified check payable to the Treasurer of the State of California, in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 38. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
(a) Subject to Sections 19491.5 and 19491.6, and except as provided in Section 19491.7, every association which conducts a racing meeting shall pay as an additional license fee one-half of the breakage deducted pursuant to Section 19597 on the first twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000) or less, excluding wagering at a satellite wagering facility, of the total amount handled in the parimutuel pools relating to its meeting and all of the breakage deducted on amounts so handled in excess of twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000), excluding wagering at a satellite wagering facility.

(b) Every association which conducts a racing meeting shall distribute the remaining one-half of the breakage deducted pursuant to Section 19597 on the first twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000) or less, excluding wagering at a satellite wagering facility, of the total amount handled in the parimutuel pools relating to the meeting as additional purses and for additional commissions in the same proportion, as between purses and commissions, as provided in Sections 19611, 19612, 19612.6, and 19614.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), one-half of all the breakage deducted pursuant to Section 19597 at fair racing meetings shall be retained and distributed as additional commissions.

Payment of the fee shall be made weekly on account during each meeting, and the amount attributable to breakage shall be reported as a separate item.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 39. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a) of Section 19491, an association, including the California Exposition and State Fair or a county or district agricultural association fair, which conducts, or whose predecessor association has conducted, a horseracing meeting during the preceding year at which the total amount handled in the parimutuel pools operated by the association, or by such predecessor association, is not more than two hundred fifty million dollars ($250,000,000), excluding wagering at a satellite wagering facility, shall be exempt from payment of that portion of the license fee provided in subdivision (a) of Section 19491 on the amount handled by it under one hundred twenty-five million dollars ($125,000,000), excluding wagering at a satellite wagering facility. All the money accruing pursuant to this section shall be distributed as purses. In addition, an association which conducts, or whose predecessor association has conducted, a horseracing meeting during the preceding year at which the total amount handled in the parimutuel pools operated by the association or predecessor association is more than two hundred fifty million dollars ($250,000,000), excluding wagering at a satellite wagering facility, shall be exempt from the payment of that portion of the license fee provided in subdivision (a) of Section 19491 on the amount handled in excess of twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000) but not in excess of fifty million dollars ($50,000,000).

“Predecessor association,” as used in this section, means a person who was previously licensed to conduct racing of the same kind and at the same racing facility as the presently existing association.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the amendment to this section at its 1970 Regular Session shall be deemed to be a clarification of the effect of this section, and that such amendment does not constitute a substantive change.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1285, Sec. 1.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text: Except as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 19612, the exempt amount retained by the association shall be regularly deposited in a separate account with a depository approved by the board. The funds deposited shall be distributed as purses.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1043, Sec. 9.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all breakage deducted pursuant to Section 19597 by an association licensed to conduct harness racing shall be used to fund the California Standardbred Sires Stakes Program as set forth in subdivision (f) of Section 19619.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 595, Sec. 3.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
Upon the termination of the horse racing meeting for which a license has been granted:

(a) If the licensee has fully paid the license fee imposed by this article, the sum deposited with the application for the license shall be returned to the licensee.

(b) If the licensee fails, refuses, or neglects to pay such fee, the amount thereof shall be deducted from the sum deposited and the balance, if any, shall be returned to the licensee.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 1828.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text: If by reason of any cause beyond control, and through no fault or neglect of any licensee, and when the licensee is not in default, it becomes impossible for the licensee to hold or conduct racing upon any day authorized by the board, the board, in its discretion and at the request of the licensee, may either return any fee paid by the licensee for racing on that day or, as a substitute for such day, may specify any other day for the holding or conducting of racing by the licensee.

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text: Except as provided in this chapter, no license or excise tax or fee in excess of one hundred dollars ($100) for each racing day shall be assessed against or collected from any licensee by the State or by any county, city, district, or any other body having the power to assess or collect any license, tax, or fee.

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
Any person who is licensed to conduct a horse racing meeting at any place, track or inclosure which is leased by him from the state, shall not transfer any such property to any other person, whether licensed under this chapter or not, for the purpose of furnishing such other person a place, track or inclosure at which it may conduct a horse racing meeting, unless such transfer is first submitted to the Department of General Services and the department finds that its terms and provisions are just and reasonable and approves of it.

As used in this section, “transfer” includes any sublease, permit to use, license to use, and any other transaction or arrangement of any kind or nature whereby any right to the use or possession of property, or any part thereof, for the purpose of conducting a horse racing meeting is conferred upon any person.

The provisions of this section which are applicable to a person licensed under this chapter to conduct a horse racing meeting shall also apply to any person to whom a transfer is made by such a licensee in accordance with this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 40. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 4. Licenses for Track Operators


text:
(a) A jockey who agrees to exercise a racehorse shall be paid no less than the standard rate that is paid to exercise riders unless the jockey has been employed to ride that racehorse in a parimutuel race or the jockey is engaged in an official timed and recorded workout. If there is a dispute over the standard rate for exercising a horse, the steward shall determine the rate.

(b) The board shall adopt regulations no later than July 1, 2007, consistent with existing practice of the stewards, that provide both of the following:

(1) Establish the circumstances under which a jockey is entitled to receive a mount fee when he or she is removed from a mount prior to scratch time.

(2) Establish the circumstances under which a jockey is entitled to receive both a mount fee and the riding fee when he or she is removed from a mount after scratch time.

(c) The paymaster of a racing association or racing fair shall not disburse any sum from a jockey’s compensation to any person other than the jockey except with the written permission of the jockey, upon order of the board, or pursuant to a court or administrative order.

(d) For the purposes of this section the following definitions apply:

(1) “Scratch time” means the time designated by the purse agreement when final changes in racing programs must be made.

(2) “Riding fee” means the amount of money, whether calculated as a percentage of the purse or by any other means, that is due to a jockey in addition to the jockey mount fee as a result of the performance of a racehorse in a race.

(3) “Mount fee” is the fee that is paid a jockey who accepts a mount on a racehorse.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 329, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2006.)

article: 4.5. Jockeys

path: 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS > 4. Horse Racing > 4.5. Jockeys


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(1) Professional jockeys are vital to the horse racing industry and the work they perform is very dangerous.

(2) The minimum wage that jockeys receive in a horse race is established by the board as a minimum jockey riding fee. Jockeys may earn additional compensation if the horse they are racing is a winning mount, a second place mount, or a third place mount.

(3) The minimum jockey riding fee has not kept up with inflation or the cost of living. Since 1970, the state minimum wage has increased at more than twice the rate that the average jockey riding fee increased over the same period.

(4) The riding fee should be increased at least as much on a percentage basis as the state minimum wage, so that the average full-time jockey can earn an income sufficient to provide for the basic necessities of life.

(b) (1) Effective January 1, 2010, the scale of minimum jockey riding fees for losing mounts established by the board shall be increased by ten dollars ($10) per mount from the rate in effect on December 31, 2009. Effective January 1, 2012, the scale of minimum jockey riding fees for losing mounts established by the board shall be increased by ten dollars ($10) per mount from the rate in effect on December 31, 2011, except the three lowest fees on the scale shall be increased by five dollars ($5) per mount. Thereafter, the scale of minimum jockey riding fees for losing mounts shall be increased whenever the state minimum wage is increased by the percentage of that increase.

(2) Effective January 1, 2010, the minimum amount awarded to the jockey who finishes second or third in a race shall be increased by ten dollars ($10) over the amount required to be paid on December 31, 2009. Effective January 1, 2012, the minimum amount awarded to the jockey who finishes second or third in a race shall be increased by five dollars ($5) over the amount required to be paid on December 31, 2011. This subdivision shall apply to races in which the purse is nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine dollars ($9,999) or less.

(c) No jockey shall be paid less than the minimum jockey riding fees established pursuant to this section.

(d) Nothing in this section prohibits the board from increasing the minimum jockey riding fee above the minimum level required by this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 296, Sec. 22. (AB 1023) Effective January 1, 2012.)

article: 4.5. Jockeys


text: Notwithstanding any other law, the board shall not permit any portion of an entry, nomination, or other fee paid by an owner to be deducted from a jockey riding fee unless the entry, nomination, or other fee is paid exclusively by the owner and not reimbursed by any other person or entity.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 434, Sec. 1. (AB 1226) Effective September 30, 2013.)

article: 4.5. Jockeys


text:
(a) No racehorse shall be ridden at a racetrack unless the rider is equipped with a safety helmet and safety vest.

(b) No later than July 1, 2006, the board shall conduct an investigation, including at least one public hearing, to determine whether the use of safety reins would provide jockeys and exercise riders greater protection from accidents and injuries than conventional reins. Should the board determine that the use of safety reins would provide greater protection for jockeys and exercise riders than conventional reins, it shall adopt a regulation no later than July 1, 2007, mandating the use of approved safety reins whenever a racehorse is ridden at a racetrack. The regulation adopted by the board may phase in the use of safety reins, but in the event safety reins are mandated, the board shall not permit the use of conventional reins in a parimutuel race for longer than 18 months following the adoption of the regulation.

(c) The board shall approve any model of safety helmet, safety vest, and mandatory safety rein, if required, in use at a racetrack.

(d) For the purposes of this section, a “safety rein” is a type of rein that is reinforced with a wire cable, nylon strap, or other safety device or material that is attached to the bit and designed to maintain control of the horse should the rein break.

(e) For the purposes of this section, a “conventional rein” is any rein other than a safety rein.

article: 4.5. Jockeys


text:
No later than July 1, 2006, the board shall approve and participate in a health assessment study of jockeys that will provide information relevant to the determination of an appropriate jockey scale of weights and weight control practices that will maximize jockey health and safety.

(a) The study shall be conducted under accepted scientific principles, shall be peer reviewed, and shall be performed under the auspices of a university based director with expertise in sports medicine, nutrition, or occupational safety and health. The study director shall be independent of the horse racing industry.

(b) The board shall form a committee to provide input and advice on the design of the study. The committee shall include members of the board, and representatives of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the Jockey’s Guild, the California Thoroughbred Trainers, the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association, the California Authority of Racing Fairs and of the racetracks. However, the board shall insure that no member of the committee nor any other person shall attempt to improperly interfere with study design or execution or compromise its integrity.

(c) The study shall be funded by private sources. Nothing in this section shall prevent the participation of racing regulatory bodies outside of California in the study.

(d) Upon completion of the study the board shall review the findings at a public hearing. If the board determines, upon review of the study, that the current scale of weights for jockeys is detrimental to jockey health and safety, it shall adopt regulations to establish weight or body composition requirements appropriate to maintain jockeys in a healthy and safe physical condition.

article: 4.5. Jockeys


text:
(a) Every steward and racing official not required to be licensed under Article 4 (commencing with Section 19480) shall be licensed by the board pursuant to this article. Any license issued pursuant to this article shall include a current photograph of the licensed person.

(b) No person required to be licensed pursuant to this article may participate in any capacity in any horse race meeting without a valid and unrevoked license. The board shall determine the fixed license fee which shall be paid in order to receive a license pursuant to this article.

(c) As used in this section, “racing official” means the starter, timer, paddock judge, horseshoe inspector, horse identifier, official veterinarian, racing veterinarian, associate judge, placing judge, patrol judge, clerk of scales, clerk of the course, and any other person acting as an official at any horse racing meeting.

history: (History: Amended (as amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 650) by Stats. 2010, Ch. 53, Sec. 1. (AB 1152) Effective July 9, 2010. Operative January 1, 2011, pursuant to effective date of Stats. 2009, Ch. 650.)

article: 5. Stewards and Racing Officials

path: 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS > 4. Horse Racing > 5. Stewards and Racing Officials


text:
(a) The board shall require applicants for license as a steward or as an official veterinarian to pass both a written and an oral examination.

(b) The board may admit to the steward examination any person who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) Has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or of a felony.

(2) Has been given a physical examination by a licensed physician and surgeon within 60 days prior to the date of application for the steward’s examination, indicating at least 20-20 vision or vision corrected to at least 20-20, and normal hearing ability.

(3) Possesses at least one of the following qualifications:

(A) Has at least five years of experience in the parimutuel horse racing industry as a licensed trainer, jockey, or driver.

(B) Has at least 10 years of experience in the California parimutuel horse racing industry as a licensed owner whose experience, knowledge, ability, and integrity relative to the industry are known to the board.

(C) Has at least three years of experience as a licensed racing official, racing secretary, assistant racing secretary, or director of racing.

(D) Has experience in the horse racing industry of a character and for a length of time sufficient, as determined by the board, to qualify the person as having experience substantially equivalent to the experience described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).

(c) The board may admit to the official veterinarian examination any person who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) Is currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state.

(2) Is currently in good standing with the California Veterinary Medical Board.

(3) Has current veterinary malpractice insurance.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 77, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

article: 5. Stewards and Racing Officials


text:
(a) The board shall prepare both written and oral examinations. All examinations shall be standardized and, in the case of oral examinations, tape recorded. Written examinations may be administered by members of the board staff. Oral examinations for stewards shall be conducted by a panel of not less than three board members. Oral examinations for official veterinarians shall be conducted by a panel of not less than one board member, the equine medical director, and the executive director.

(b) The board shall provide a detailed outline of the subjects to be covered by the oral and written examinations for a license to every person who requests the outline.

(c) The results of the oral and written examinations for a steward’s license shall be a public record.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 650, Sec. 2. (AB 1575) Effective January 1, 2011.)

article: 5. Stewards and Racing Officials


text: Racing officials shall be licensed by the board pursuant to rules and regulations that the board may adopt, and upon payment of a license fee fixed and determined by the board.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 871, Sec. 8.)

article: 5. Stewards and Racing Officials


text:
(a) A license issued under this article shall be issued for a period not to exceed three years, which the board may, by regulation, establish. The board may establish a license fee schedule consistent with the different period for which these licenses may be granted.

(b) The license shall be valid at all horse racing meetings in this state during the period for which it is issued, unless it is suspended or revoked before the expiration of the period.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 354, Sec. 2. (AB 1768) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 5. Stewards and Racing Officials


text: The board may, at any time, require the removal of any racing official or employee in any case where it has reason to believe that the official or employee has been guilty of any dishonest practice in connection with horse racing, has failed to comply with any condition of the licensee’s license, or has violated any law or any rule or regulation of the board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 45. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 5. Stewards and Racing Officials


text:
(a) The board, upon due consideration, may overrule any steward’s decision other than a decision to disqualify a horse due to a foul or a riding or a driving infraction in a race, if a preponderance of the evidence indicates any of the following:

(1) The steward mistakenly interpreted the law.

(2) New evidence of a convincing nature is produced.

(3) The best interests of racing and the state may be better served.

(b) However, any decision pertaining to the finish of a race, as used for purposes of parimutuel fund distribution to winning ticketholders, may not be overruled. Furthermore, any decision pertaining to the distribution of purses may be changed only if a claim is made in writing to the board by one of the involved owners or trainers, and a preponderance of the evidence clearly indicates to the board that one or more of the grounds for protest, as outlined in regulations adopted by the board, has been substantiated. The chairperson of the board may issue a stay of execution pending appeal from a steward’s decision if the facts justify the action.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1052, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)

article: 5. Stewards and Racing Officials


text:
(a) The respondent in an enforcement proceeding that alleges the use of a prohibited substance, as defined under class I, class II, or class III of the board’s schedule of prohibited substances, may elect to have the proceeding referred, for administrative adjudication and preparation of a proposed decision for action by the board, to either a Board of Stewards or a hearing officer appointed by the board. The board shall select the hearing officer from a pool jointly developed by a representative from each of the following organizations:

(1) The board.

(2) A racing association.

(3) The trainers’ organization.

(4) The horse owners’ organization.

(b) The hearing before a duly appointed hearing officer or Board of Stewards shall commence no later than 90 days after the filing of the accusation. The hearing date may be extended only upon a showing of good cause to the earliest possible hearing date beyond the 90-day period, provided a written order and the reasons for the continuance are filed with the board.

(c) No later than 20 days before the hearing, the licensee shall post a bond with the paymaster of purses for the amount of the purse or purses in question and received by the licensee. The bond shall be in cash, or a surety bond that meets the requirements of the board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 417, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

article: 5. Stewards and Racing Officials


text:
(a) (1) The board shall contract with persons licensed as stewards pursuant to this article to perform the duties of stewards at horse racing meets. The board shall also contract with licensed veterinarians pursuant to this article to perform the duties of official veterinarians at horse racing meets. Contracts shall be upon any terms that the board, the stewards, and the official veterinarians may mutually agree upon and may contain different rates of compensation based upon the experience of the steward or official veterinarian.

(2) The board shall establish a committee of at least two board members to meet at least quarterly with representatives of the stewards, so that recommendations of the stewards can be discussed as necessary. These meetings may be scheduled the same day as regular board meetings or at the convenience of the board. Representatives of associations may attend and participate in these meetings, or portions thereof, when items directly affecting the associations are discussed.

(3) The board shall provide remuneration, including any fringe benefits, to stewards, to the official veterinarian, and for the costs of laboratory testing relating to horse racing.

(b) Stewards, official veterinarians, and other racing officials appointed or approved by the board, and while performing duties required by this chapter or by the board, shall be entitled to the same rights and immunities granted public employees by Article 3 (commencing with Section 820) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code.

(c) The Legislature finds and declares that the services performed by stewards and official veterinarians at horse racing meetings are unique and cannot be performed adequately, competently, or satisfactorily by civil service personnel, and that the services cannot be adequately rendered by an existing public agency and do not duplicate the function of an existing public agency. Stewards and official veterinarians shall be personal service contractors of the board and shall not be civil service employees.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 400, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

article: 5. Stewards and Racing Officials


text:
(a) (1) Every person not required to be licensed under Article 4 (commencing with Section 19480) who participates in, or has anything to do with, the racing of horses in any of the following capacities shall be licensed by the board pursuant to rules and regulations that the board may adopt and upon the payment of a license fee fixed and determined by the board:

(A) Assistant trainer.

(B) Association employee.

(C) Bloodstock agent.

(D) Corporate officer.

(E) Driver.

(F) Exercise rider.

(G) Farrier.

(H) Jockey.

(I) Jockey agent.

(J) Jockey apprentice.

(K) Jockey valet.

(L) Off-track wagering personnel.

(M) Open claim owner.

(N) Outrider.

(O) Owner.

(P) Parimutuel employee.

(Q) Pony rider.

(R) Safety personnel.

(S) Special event personnel.

(T) Stable agent.

(U) Stable foreman.

(V) Stableworker.

(W) Stakeholder representative.

(X) Trainer.

(Y) Vendor or vendor employee.

(Z) Veterinarian.

(AA) Veterinarian assistant.

(2) Any license issued pursuant to this article shall include a current photograph of the licensed person.

(b) A person required to be licensed pursuant to this article shall not participate in any capacity in any horse race meeting without a valid and unrevoked license authorizing the participation.

(c) The board may adopt regulations to require outrider license applicants to pass both a written and an oral examination and to authorize outriders to exercise the duties and powers of the board set forth in Section 19440 as are delegated by the board.

(d) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Assistant trainer” means a person employed by a trainer that has passed the board-issued trainer’s examination but fails to meet the board’s minimum qualifications for a trainer’s license.

(2) “Association employee” means a person hired by a racing association that has access to the licensed inclosure. An “association employee” includes management of the racetrack and persons hired to work as maintenance, food service, media, security, and racing staff.

(3) “Bloodstock agent” means a person who for gain, gratuity, commission, or reward, in either money or goods, acts as an agent for the sale or purchase of any racehorse not their own that is eligible to race at an authorized race meeting in the state.

(4) “Corporate officer” means an officer, director, or partner, or an individual who holds 5 percent or more of outstanding shares, of an advance deposit wagering, mini-satellite wagering provider, simulcast service supplier, or totalizer company.

(5) “Driver” means a person who drives and controls the horse from a seated position on a two-wheel sulky.

(6) “Exercise rider” means a person mounted and exercising a horse within a licensed inclosure.

(7) “Farrier” means a person responsible for shoeing and caring for equine hooves. A “farrier” is also interchangeably referred to as a “horseshoer” or “plater.”

(8) “Jockey” means a race rider.

(9) “Jockey agent” means a person who represents a jockey whose main responsibility is to arrange and book mounts.

(10) “Jockey apprentice” means a race rider who otherwise meets the license qualifications of a jockey, but has not ridden the requisite number of winners, as established by the board.

(11) “Jockey valet” means a person responsible for preparing both jockey and horse for racing.

(12) “Off-track wagering personnel” means a person employed at an off-track simulcast wagering facility or a person employed to represent an organization overseeing off-track wagering at a simulcast location pursuant to section 19608.2.

(13) “Open-claim owner” means a prospective owner of a horse entered into a claiming race.

(14) “Outrider” means a person responsible for providing a safe environment during training or racing.

(15) “Owner” means the owner, part owner, or lessee of a horse. An interest only in the earnings of a horse does not constitute ownership.

(16) “Parimutuel employee” means a person hired to work for the company licensed to accept wagers on the outcome of a horse race. A “parimutuel employee” includes totalizer technicians and those persons employed by a licensed totalizer company.

(17) “Pony rider” means a person riding a pony horse on training or race days.

(18) “Safety personnel” means a person hired to provide security, medical services, or emergency services within a racing inclosure.

(19) “Special event personnel” means a person who works for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships when the event is held at a board-licensed racing facility or a person who is otherwise hired for a temporary racing event.

(20) “Stable agent” means a person who is the authorized representative of a stable or an owner that may act on their behalf in managing the schedule of races.

(21) “Stable foreman” means a person in charge of daily operations in a racing stable.

(22) “Stableworker” means a person employed at the operation of a stable at a board-licensed inclosure that is not more specifically described by another classification. This classification includes those who feed, groom, exercise, train, and conduct general care of horses.

(23) “Stakeholder representative” means a person whose constituents are located within a licensed inclosure. This includes clergy, union representatives, and representatives from state-recognized organizations of trainers or horsepersons.

(24) “Trainer” means a person who has passed the board’s trainer’s examination and otherwise meets the board’s qualifications for licensure as established pursuant to regulation.

(25) “Vendor or vendor employee” means a person who provides goods or services related to horse racing at a facility licensed by the board. A “vendor” includes persons who access the licensed inclosure for the purpose of delivering equine supplies or transporting equines and maintenance workers, media, food service staff, jockey room staff, and stable staff.

(26) “Veterinarian” means a California-licensed veterinarian.

(27) “Veterinarian assistant” means a person employed by a board-licensed veterinarian.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 16. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 5.5. Other Licenses

path: 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS > 4. Horse Racing > 5.5. Other Licenses


text:
(a) A license issued pursuant to this article shall be issued for a period not to exceed three years, which the board may, by regulation, establish. The board may establish a license fee schedule consistent with the different period for which the licenses may be granted.

(b) The license shall be valid at all horse racing meetings in this state during the period for which it is issued, unless it is suspended or revoked before the expiration of the period.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 354, Sec. 3. (AB 1768) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 5.5. Other Licenses


text:
(a) The board shall also set forth requirements for the position of satellite facility supervisor for all satellite wagering facilities operated by the state or on public land. The satellite facility supervisor shall, among other things, monitor the performance of licensees at the facilities.

(b) A fair satellite facility generating less than ten million dollars ($10,000,000) annually in total handle may elect not to be subject to the requirements of this section if the board of directors of the fair satellite facility, after a public hearing, deems those requirements to be not economically feasible and all of the following requirements are met:

(1) Thirty days prior to the public hearing, the fair board notifies the board in writing of its intention to take the action described in this subdivision.

(2) The fair satellite facility shall continue to abide by all laws and regulations pertaining to the operation of a satellite facility, including the responsibilities of the position of satellite facility supervisor.

(3) Notice of the fair board’s action shall be provided to the board within 10 days of approval by the fair board. Notice shall include the name and contact information of the individual or individuals assuming the responsibilities of the position of satellite facility supervisor.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 393, Sec. 1. (AB 270) Effective January 1, 2012.)

article: 5.5. Other Licenses


history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 49. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 5.5. Other Licenses


text:
(a) For purposes of this section, “equine” means a horse of any breed used for racing or showing, including prospective racehorses, breeding prospects, stallions, stallion seasons, broodmares, yearlings, or weanlings, or any interest therein.

(b) Any sale, purchase, or transfer of an equine shall be both of the following:

(1) Accompanied by a written bill of sale or acknowledgment of purchase setting forth the purchase price.

(2) Signed by both the purchaser and the seller or their duly authorized agents or, in a transaction solely relating to a season or fractional interest in a stallion, signed by the syndicate manager or stallion manager.

(c) When a transaction described in subdivision (b) is accomplished through a public auction, the bill of sale requirement may be satisfied by the issuance of an auction receipt generated by the auction house and signed by the purchaser or an agent whom the purchaser has authorized.

(d) It is unlawful for a person to act as a “dual agent,” which is hereby defined as a person acting as an agent for both the purchaser and the seller, in a transaction involving the sale, purchase, or transfer of an interest in an equine without the prior knowledge of both the purchaser and seller, and the written consent of both the purchaser and seller.

(e) It is unlawful for a person acting as an agent for either a purchaser or a seller or acting as a dual agent in a transaction involving the sale, purchase, or transfer of an equine to receive in excess of five hundred dollars ($500) worth of compensation, fees, gratuities, or other items of value, related directly or indirectly to that transaction, from an individual or entity, including any consigner involved in the transaction, other than the agent’s principal, unless both of the following occur:

(1) The agent receiving the item of value and the individual or entity giving the item of value disclose the transfer of that item of value in writing to the principal or principals for whom the agent is acting.

(2) Each principal for whom the agent is acting consents thereto in writing.

(f) Any person acting as an agent for a purchaser or seller or acting as a dual agent in a transaction involving the sale, purchase, or transfer of an equine shall, upon request by his or her principal or principals, provide to the requesters copies of all financial records in the possession or control of the agent pertaining to the transaction. For purposes of this subdivision, financial records shall not include the agent’s or owner’s work product used to internally evaluate the equine.

(g) Any person injured by a violation of this section shall recover treble damages from persons or entities violating this section.

(h) No contract or agreement for payment of a commission, fee, gratuity, or any other form of compensation in connection with any sale, purchase, or transfer of an equine shall be enforceable by way of an action or defense unless both of the following occur:

(1) The contract or agreement is in writing and is signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

(2) The recipient of the compensation provides a written bill of sale or auction receipt for the transaction in accordance with paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) and subdivision (c) respectively.

(i) The board may suspend or revoke the license of any person who violates this section.

(j) Subdivisions (g) and (h) shall not apply to the acts or omissions of an entity or individual engaged in conducting a public auction of an equine, or the entity or individual’s employees or agents, if both of the following conditions apply:

(1) The acts or omissions of the entity, individual, employee, or agent are in furtherance of or pursuant to the conduct of the public auction of an equine.

(2) The entity or individual is appropriately licensed or authorized to conduct that specific public auction by the California Horse Racing Board and any other governmental entity whose permission or authorization is required to conduct the auction.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 42, Sec. 2. (SB 254) Effective January 1, 2010.)

article: 5.5. Other Licenses


text:
(a) Each trainer shall keep accurate payroll records, showing the name, address, social security number, work classification, straight time and overtime hours worked each day and week, paid to each of his or her employees.

(b) The payroll records enumerated under subdivision (a) shall be available for inspection at all reasonable hours at the principal office of the trainer on the following basis:

(1) A copy of an employee’s payroll record shall be made available for inspection or furnished to the employee or his or her authorized representative upon request.

(2) A copy of all payroll records enumerated in subdivision (a) shall be made available for inspection or furnished upon request to the board and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement of the Department of Industrial Relations.

(3) On or before January 31 of each year, each trainer shall provide copies of federal W-2 and 1099 tax forms for his or her backstretch employees for the previous calendar year to the administrator of the pension fund for backstretch employees.

(c) The payroll records described in this section shall be on forms provided by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement or shall contain the same information as the forms provided by the division.

(d) A trainer shall make the records enumerated in subdivision (a) available to an employee or his or her authorized representative within 10 days after receipt of a written request.

(e) The trainer shall inform the board of the location of the records enumerated under subdivision (a), including the street address, city and county, and shall, within five working days, provide a notice of a change of location and address.

(f) In addition to any other penalty imposed by law, any trainer who fails to provide access to the records enumerated in subdivision (a) to the board, the employee or his or her authorized representative, the administrator of the pension or welfare funds, or to the Division of Labor Standards enforcement as required by law shall be subject to suspension of his or her license.

(g) Except for trainers covered by an operative collective bargaining agreement pursuant to Section 19613.7, the board may require, as a condition of issuing or renewing a trainer’s license, that the trainer submit a declaration that they have maintained true and correct payroll records and have complied with the requirements of the Labor Code and applicable wage orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission.

(h) The Labor Commissioner shall establish and maintain a program to audit the payroll records of trainers who are not parties to a collective bargaining agreement entered pursuant to Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 19455) and who operate in California for 90 or more racing days in a calendar year, in a manner to ensure that every subject licensee is audited at least once prior to January 1, 2006. Evidence of substantial noncompliance with the Labor Code and applicable wage orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission shall be referred by the board to the Labor Commissioner.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 198, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2002.)

article: 5.5. Other Licenses


text:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) The Association of Racing Commissioners International has proposed a compact providing for the licensure of individuals involved in the horse racing industry.

(b) The intent of this compact is to preclude the necessity of individual owners, trainers, backstretch employees, and other race track personnel from having to be separately licensed in each state in which they may conduct business.

(c) This compact would provide for an individual to be licensed by the compact committee created therein, and thus be able to practice his or her profession in all states that are members of the compact.

(d) The purpose of the compact is to:

(1) Establish uniform requirements among the party states for the licensing of participants in live horse racing with parimutuel wagering, and ensure that all participants who are licensed pursuant to this compact meet a uniform minimum standard of honesty and integrity.

(2) Facilitate the growth of the horse racing industry in each party state and nationwide by simplifying the licensing process for participants in the live racing industry, and reduce the duplicative and costly process of separate licensing by the applicable regulatory agency in each state.

(3) Authorize the California Horse Racing Board to participate in this compact.

(4) Provide for participation in this compact by officials of the party states, and permit those officials, through the compact committee established by the compact, to enter into contracts with governmental agencies and nongovernmental persons and entities to carry out the purposes of this compact.

(5) Establish the compact committee created by this compact as an interstate governmental entity duly authorized to request and receive criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, other federal law enforcement agencies, and state and local law enforcement agencies.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 935, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2002.)

path: 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS > 4. Horse Racing > 5.6. Interstate Compact on Horse Racing Occupational Licensing


text: The California Horse Racing Board is hereby authorized to enter into the interstate compact identified in Section 19527 for the purposes described therein, provided that this state’s participation in this compact does not result in the diminution of applicable existing standards established for licensure in California with regard to an applicant’s criminal history and does not prevent the enforcement of any state law or regulation affecting any licensee. The California Horse Racing Board’s entry into the interstate compact identified in Section 19527 shall not relieve any individual or entity of its duty to obtain any license or pay any fee otherwise required by this chapter. An individual designated by the California Horse Racing Board shall be responsible for representing California in conjunction with the administration of the compact.

article: 5.6. Interstate Compact on Horse Racing Occupational Licensing


text:
(a) The board shall have the authority to allocate racing weeks to an applicant or applicants pursuant to the provisions of this article and Article 6.5 (commencing with Section 19540) and to specify such racing days, dates, and hours for horse racing meetings as will be in the public interest, and will subserve the purposes of this chapter. The decision of the board as to those racing days, dates, and hours shall be subject to change, limitation, restriction, or reallocation only by the board. No municipality or county shall adopt or enforce any ordinance or regulation that has or may have the effect of directly or indirectly regulating, limiting, restricting, or reallocating the racing days and dates of horse racing meetings.

(b) The board may, at any time, change, limit, restrict, or reallocate racing weeks, days, or dates that are allocated pursuant to this section regardless of whether a condition giving rise to that action is foreseen at the time of allocation or whether a license is issued to conduct a horse racing meeting during an allocated week, day, or date. The board’s exercise of authority pursuant to this subdivision is not a revocation subject to the proceedings required by Section 19461, regardless of any effect on a license issued under this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 22, Sec. 2. (SB 469) Effective June 26, 2019.)

article: 6. Racing Days Generally

path: 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS > 4. Horse Racing > 6. Racing Days Generally


text: For the purposes of this article there shall be three geographical zones which shall be designated (a) the “southern zone,” which shall consist of the Counties of Imperial, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego; (b) the “central zone,” which shall consist of the Counties of Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura; and (c) the “northern zone,” which shall consist of the remaining counties in the state.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1759.)

article: 6. Racing Days Generally


text:
(a) The board shall make allocations of racing weeks, including simultaneous racing between zones, as it deems appropriate. The maximum number of racing weeks that may be allocated for horse racing other than at fairs, shall be as follows:

(1) For thoroughbred racing: 44 weeks per year in the northern zone; and 49 weeks per year in the combined central and southern zones.

(2) For harness racing: 25 weeks per year in the northern zone.

(3) For quarter horse racing: 25 weeks per year in the northern zone.

(4) For harness racing and quarter horse racing: a total of 77 weeks per year in the combined central and southern zones.

(b) In its written application for a license, an applicant shall state the time of day, consistent with this chapter, during which it will conduct its racing meeting, and particularly the first race starting time for the various racing days. After receiving a license, a licensee shall not change the first race starting time without securing prior approval of the board.

(c) Notwithstanding this section or any other provision in this chapter, the following provisions apply:

(1) From the weeks available in the combined central and southern zones pursuant to subdivision (a), the board shall allocate a minimum of seven weeks per year to a thoroughbred racing association to conduct thoroughbred racing at a racetrack that was used to conduct a thoroughbred race meeting in the southern zone prior to 2012.

(2) The board shall not allocate dates to a thoroughbred association in the central zone for the purpose of conducting racing if a thoroughbred racing association is conducting racing in the southern zone on the same date during daytime hours.

(3) From the weeks available in the combined central and southern zones pursuant to subdivision (a), the board shall allocate a minimum of 25 weeks per year to a thoroughbred racing association to conduct thoroughbred racing at a racetrack that was used to conduct a thoroughbred race meeting in the central zone prior to 2012.

(4) The board shall not allocate dates to a thoroughbred association in the southern zone for the purpose of conducting racing if a thoroughbred racing association is conducting racing in the central zone on the same date during daytime hours.

(5) From the weeks available in the combined central and southern zones pursuant to subdivision (a), the board may allocate a maximum of five weeks per year to a thoroughbred racing association to conduct thoroughbred racing at a racetrack in the southern zone that was not used to conduct a thoroughbred race meeting in the southern zone prior to 2012.

(d) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, if the board does not license a thoroughbred race meeting to be conducted by a racing association at a racetrack located in the cities of Berkeley and Albany after July 1, 2024, a thoroughbred racing association, or racing fair, in the southern or central zone licensed by the board to conduct a thoroughbred race meeting or fair meeting shall, during racing weeks not allocated by the board for a race meeting in the northern zone, be deemed to be operating in the northern zone for the purpose of conducting all permissible forms of wagering in the northern zone pursuant to this chapter and making and receiving required distributions from those wagers in accordance with this chapter.

(2) Required distributions described in paragraph (1) shall be made in accordance with the requirements applicable to a racing association in the northern zone and any consent or approval rights shall be exercised by the appropriate racing association or racing fair in the central or southern zone conducting racing.

(3) The amounts generated for purses and commissions pursuant to this subdivision shall be used to pay simulcast funding requirements and board support that the thoroughbred racing associations and racing fair in the central or southern zone are required to make under Section 19616.51. Any remaining funds after those payments are made shall be distributed to each thoroughbred racing association and racing fair in the central and southern zones proportionally based on their respective handle in the central and southern zones during the previous fiscal year and that money shall be divided between purses and commissions in the same relative proportion as was generated in the central and southern zones during the previous fiscal year.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 80, Sec. 12. (SB 1525) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 6. Racing Days Generally


text: Notwithstanding any other law, the board shall not allocate racing dates to a thoroughbred racing association in the central or southern zone for the purpose of conducting thoroughbred racing during daytime or nighttime hours if a fair racing association is conducting racing in either zone on the same dates.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 50, Sec. 2. (SB 721) Effective June 25, 2014.)

article: 6. Racing Days Generally


text:
(a) Any association licensed to conduct thoroughbred racing in the northern zone may receive no more than 35 weeks of that racing.

(b) Any association licensed to conduct thoroughbred racing in the central zone may receive no more than 17 weeks of that racing, except that any association which conducts a split meeting may receive up to 20 weeks of that racing. No more than one such split meeting may be licensed in any one year.

(c) This section and Section 19531 shall not operate to deprive any association of any weeks of racing granted during 1980.

(d) This section and Section 19531 shall not operate to deprive the California State Fair and Exposition of any weeks of racing granted during the previous calendar year, and the board may continue to allocate those weeks of racing to the California Exposition and State Fair or any lessee thereof.

(e) Nothing in subdivision (d) is a limitation on the board allocating racing weeks to any private racing association as a lessee of the California Exposition and State Fair racetrack facility pursuant to Sections 19531 and 19532.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 380, Sec. 1. Effective September 27, 2008.)

article: 6. Racing Days Generally


text:
(a) Any license granted to an association other than a fair shall be only for one type of racing, thoroughbred, harness, or quarter horse racing as the case may be, except that the board may authorize the entering of thoroughbred and Appaloosa horses in quarter horse races at a distance not exceeding five furlongs at quarter horse meetings, mixed breed meetings, and fair meetings. If the board authorizes the entering of thoroughbred or Appaloosa horses in quarter horse races, the following conditions shall be met:

(1) Any race written for participation by quarter horses, Appaloosas, and thoroughbreds shall be written as quarter horse preferred.

(2) The number of races written as quarter horse preferred at a distance exceeding 870 yards shall not exceed more than three races per program without the consent of the quarter horse horsemen’s organization contracting with the association.

(3) More than one-half of the races on any program shall be for quarter horses at a distance not to exceed 550 yards, unless the consent of the quarter horse horsemen’s organization is received.

(4) Mixed races with Appaloosa and quarter horses may only be written with the consent of the quarter horse horsemen’s organization contracting with the association.

(5) Thoroughbreds shall constitute less than half the number of horses in these races although an exception may be granted on a race-to-race basis with the consent of the quarter horse horsemen’s organization contracting with the association.

(b) The association that conducts the meeting shall pay to a thoroughbred trainers’ organization an amount for a pension plan for backstretch personnel to be administered by that trainers’ organization equivalent to 1 percent of the amount available to thoroughbred horses for purses. The remainder of the portion shall be distributed as purses. Any redistributable money paid to the board pursuant to Section 19641, which is paid to a welfare fund established by a horsemen’s organization from races with both thoroughbred and quarter horses, shall be divided pro rata between the two welfare funds based on the number of thoroughbreds and quarter horses in the race.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any association licensed to conduct quarter horse racing may apply to the board for, and the board shall grant, authority to conduct thoroughbred racing as part of its racing program if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The thoroughbred races are for a claiming price of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), and at a distance of four and one-half furlongs or less. The races may not be stakes, allowance races, or maiden allowance races.

(B) More than one-half of the races on any program shall be for quarter horses at a distance not to exceed 550 yards, unless the consent of the quarter horse horsemen’s organization is received.

(C) The consent of the quarter horse horsemen’s organization contracting with the association is obtained with respect to the inclusion of thoroughbred racing.

(2) The quarter horse racing association conducting thoroughbred racing pursuant to this subdivision shall pay to a quarter horse horsemen’s organization the amount specified in subdivision (e) of Section 19613, and an amount for a pension plan for backstretch personnel to be administered by a thoroughbred trainers’ organization equivalent to 1 percent of the amount available to thoroughbred horses for purses. The remainder of the portion shall be distributed as purses. The quarter horse racing association shall also deduct the appropriate amount to comply with subdivision (a) of Section 19617.2 for distribution to the thoroughbred official registering agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 368, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.)

article: 6. Racing Days Generally


text:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 19533, the board may authorize the following mixed breed racing:

(1) An association licensed to conduct a quarter horse meeting to include Appaloosa races and Arabian races with the consent of the quarter horse horsemen’s organization contracting with the association with respect to the conduct of the racing meeting.

(2) A race between a quarter horse and a thoroughbred horse at a thoroughbred meeting with the consent of the thoroughbred horsemen’s organization contracting with the association with respect to the conduct of the racing meeting.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 19533, an association licensed to conduct quarter horse racing or a fair may conduct races that include paint horses racing with quarter horses or Appaloosa horses in the same race. When paint horses race with quarter horses, the consent of the organization that represents quarter horse horsemen and horsewomen shall first be obtained. A quarter horse association may write a race for paint horses only to replace an Appaloosa or Arabian race without increasing the average number of races run per race day with the consent of the organization representing the quarter horsemen and horsewomen.

(c) A quarter horse race with seven or more entries shall not be replaced by a race that includes paint horses, without the consent of the organization that represents quarter horse horsemen and horsewomen.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a quarter horse racing association or fair conducting barrel racing, paint horse racing, show jump racing, or steeplechase racing shall pay to the quarter horsemen’s organization the amount specified in Section 19613 for purposes of representing the horsemen and horsewomen conducting these races.

(e) Notwithstanding Section 19533, the board may authorize an association licensed to conduct a thoroughbred race meeting to include up to six nonthoroughbred races per calendar year with the consent of the organization representing thoroughbred horsemen and horsewomen, provided, however, that a nonthoroughbred race shall not be held when a fair in the northern zone is conducting a race meeting without that fair’s consent. Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 19617.8, amounts deducted and distributed pursuant to this chapter from wagering on nonthoroughbred races authorized pursuant to this section shall be deducted and distributed as if the wagers were placed on a thoroughbred race.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 3, Sec. 1. (AB 558) Effective March 29, 2016.)

article: 6. Racing Days Generally


text:
Notwithstanding Section 19533, the board may authorize any racing association licensed to conduct a live quarter horse racing meeting to also conduct mule racing at that racing meeting, subject to the following conditions:

(a) Mule races may only be conducted when a fair is not licensed to conduct live races with parimutuel wagering.

(b) The consent of the quarter horse horsemen’s organization contracting with the association shall be obtained with respect to the inclusion of mule racing.

(c) The majority of the races conducted on any given racing day shall be quarter horse races.

(d) A quarter horse association may conduct mule races provided that the total number of Arabian and mule races run in a year do not exceed the total number of Arabian races run in the state in 2001.

(e) An Arabian race with seven or more entries shall not be replaced by mule race, without the consent of the organization that represents Arabian horsemen and horsewomen.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 924, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

article: 6. Racing Days Generally


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, at the time the board allocates racing weeks, it shall determine the number of useable stalls that each association or fair shall make available and maintain in order to conduct the racing meeting. The minimum number of stalls may be at the site of the racing meeting or at board-approved offsite locations.

(b) With respect to racing meetings conducted in the northern zone, the association or fair conducting the meeting shall provide all stabling required by the board pursuant to subdivision (a) without cost to participating horsemen. Offsite stabling shall be at a board approved facility or facilities selected by the association or fair, with the agreement of the organization representing horsemen participating at the meeting. If there is a disagreement between the association or fair and the organization representing the majority of horsemen participating at the meeting with respect to the selection of offsite stabling facilities, the board, at the request of the association or fair or the organization representing the majority of horsemen participating at the meeting, shall promptly determine the board-approved facility or facilities at which offsite stabling shall be made available. The organization representing horsemen participating at the meeting and the association or fair shall mutually agree on the criteria and selection of horses that may use stalls required pursuant to this section. Northern zone racing associations or fairs may provide, subject to the availability of funds pursuant to Sections 19607, 19607.1, 19607.2, and 19607.3, at the option of the horse owner, vanning of participating racehorses from any board-approved offsite stabling facility.

(c) (1) With respect to racing meetings conducted in the central or southern zones, all costs associated with the maintenance of the useable stalls for the racing meeting shall be borne by the association or fair conducting the meeting, and, with respect to useable stalls at an offsite location, the association or fair may be required, by order of the board, to bear the costs of vanning from the offsite location to the racing meeting. However, with respect to any racing association in the central or southern zone that conducted a racing meeting in 1986, if the number of useable stalls made available onsite by a racing association during a racing meeting is less than 95 percent of the number of useable stalls made available onsite by that racing association during its 1986 racing meeting, the racing association shall reimburse the facility providing offsite stabling for the difference in cost between the actual number of useable stalls made available and 95 percent of the useable stalls made available in 1986.

(2) The racing association shall, in addition, reimburse the owner for vanning to the onsite location with respect to those horses stabled at an offsite location necessitated by the failure of a racing association to maintain 95 percent of the useable stalls made available by that racing association during its 1986 racing meeting.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 156, Sec. 1. (SB 732) Effective January 1, 2012.)

article: 6. Racing Days Generally


text: In order to encourage and develop the racing of all horses in California, regardless of breed, whenever a fair conducts a program of horse races on which there is parimutuel wagering, the fair, so far as practicable, shall provide a program of racing that includes thoroughbred racing, quarter horse racing, Arabian racing, and Appaloosa racing, if a sufficient number of horses is available to provide competition in one or more races.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 505, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2006.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions

path: 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS > 4. Horse Racing > 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Notwithstanding any other law, fairs that conduct live horse racing meetings in the northern zone may allow a joint powers authority to administer and distribute purses.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 559, Sec. 7. (AB 2143) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text:
(a) In order to encourage and develop the racing of all horses in California, regardless of breed, whenever a fair conducts a program of parimutuel wagering, it may provide a program of mixed breed racing that includes thoroughbred racing, harness racing, quarter horse racing, Arabian racing, paint racing, Appaloosa racing, steeplechase races, barrel races, and show jumping races.

(b) All recognized breeds of horses may compete in barrel races, show jumping races, and steeplechase races. Parimutuel wagering may be conducted on barrel races, show jumping races, and steeplechase races at any public or private facility that has been approved and licensed by the board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 58. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Notwithstanding Section 19490, no deposit shall be required for any horse racing meeting conducted by a fair.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 559, Sec. 8. (AB 2143) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Except as provided in this chapter, no license, tax, or fee shall be assessed against or collected from any fair which, directly and not through any private person, conducts a horse racing meeting.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 60. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Except as provided in Section 19549.1, the maximum number of racing weeks that may be allocated to a fair shall be four weeks each year. The board shall take public testimony and make all determinations on the allocation of racing dates during a public hearing. All discussions of allocating racing dates by the board or its subcommittees shall be conducted during a public hearing. Nothing in this section diminishes the authority of the board to establish racing dates.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 380, Sec. 2. Effective September 27, 2008.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Notwithstanding Sections 19533 and 19549 or any other provision of this chapter, the board may allocate horse racing days for mixed breed meetings and combined fair horse racing meetings pursuant to Section 4058 of the Food and Agricultural Code. Days may not be allocated for a mixed breed meeting or a combined fair horse racing meeting during the month of June at the California Exposition and State Fair if a standardbred meeting is being conducted at that facility during the month of June.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 225, Sec. 1. (SB 1418) Effective January 1, 2013.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: From the weeks available for harness and quarter horse racing pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 19531, the board may allocate a maximum of 12 weeks of harness racing to the 22nd District Agricultural Association to be conducted on the 22nd District Agricultural Association grounds. The racing shall be conducted by a person other than the 22nd District Agricultural Association.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 428, Sec. 4. (AB 1074) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Notwithstanding Section 19414.5, the board may allocate racing weeks consisting of fewer than five days to an association conducting harness or quarter horse racing meetings if the association and the organization representing the horsemen participating in the meeting agree to the allocation.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 273, Sec. 2) by Stats. 1991, Ch. 424, Sec. 2.5. Effective September 19, 1991.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 19531 and Sections 19540, 19546, and 19549, the board may allocate additional weeks of harness racing to the California Exposition and State Fair in Sacramento or its lessee, to be raced at the California Exposition and State Fair in Sacramento.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 428, Sec. 5. (AB 1074) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Notwithstanding paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 19531 and Section 19549, the board may allocate additional weeks of quarter horse racing to a lessee of the California Exposition and State Fair in Sacramento to be raced at the California Exposition and State Fair in Sacramento.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 428, Sec. 6. (AB 1074) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 19531 and Section 19549, the board may allocate up to 10 additional weeks of harness racing to the Los Angeles County Fair, or its lessee, to be raced at the fairgrounds in Pomona.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 428, Sec. 7. (AB 1074) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text: Notwithstanding Sections 19482 and 19549, any weeks of harness racing or quarter horse racing allocated by the board to be raced at the facilities of a county fair that conducts its racing meeting pursuant to Section 19549.3 may be conducted by the fair.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 50, Sec. 3. (SB 721) Effective June 25, 2014.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text:
(a) Fairs that conduct racing meetings in the northern zone may, and horsemen’s organizations that represent horsemen who participate at fair racing meetings in the northern zone shall, jointly develop a program to provide for stabling and training facilities. This program shall be based on the anticipated inventory of horses and the number of available stalls and locations.

(b) Participating fairs and horsemen’s organizations shall annually ratify an agreement which includes provisions governing the operation of the stabling and training facilities. The agreement shall also specify the conditions under which a participating fair may terminate its participation in the program.

(c) Individual horsemen who elect to participate in the program shall be required to sign standard agreements with the participating fair governing the operation of the program. The agreements shall contain provisions that govern the operation of the program, including, but not be limited to, insurance coverage and payment of a security deposit.

(d) All agreements provided for in this section shall be approved by the board.

(e) Each fair that conducts racing meetings in the northern zone may elect whether to participate in the stabling and training program.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 1211, Sec. 1.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text:
(a) Notwithstanding, Section 19489 or any other provision of this chapter, the board may permit the San Mateo County Fair to conduct live racing meetings at another site within or outside San Mateo County if its present site, Bay Meadows, closes.

(b) Live horse racing meetings conducted by the San Mateo County Fair, whether they are conducted within or outside of San Mateo County, shall be subject to the same provisions as are presently applicable to the San Mateo County Fair’s conduct of live horse racing meetings at Bay Meadows.

(c) If the racing association licensed in the year 2002 to conduct thoroughbred race meetings in San Mateo County is not licensed to conduct a horse racing meeting in that county in any subsequent year, the San Mateo County Fair may, subject to the approval of the board, conduct its racing dates at a facility operated by a thoroughbred racing association or fair licensed to conduct a meeting in the northern zone.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1063, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 19489 or any other provision of this chapter, the board may permit the Solano County Fair to conduct live racing meetings at another site within or outside Solano County, if the site of its 2002 racing meeting is no longer available for horse racing in any subsequent year. Further, subject to the approval of the board, the Solano County Fair may conduct its racing dates at a facility operated by a thoroughbred racing association or fair licensed to conduct a racing meeting in the northern zone.

(b) Any racing meeting licensed to the fair pursuant to subdivision (a) may be operated by the fair or the fair may contract for the operation and management of the racing meeting with an individual thoroughbred racing association or fair, or a partnership, joint venture, or other affiliation of one or more thoroughbred racing associations or fairs.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 874, Sec. 1. Effective September 26, 2002.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the board may allocate racing days, pursuant to this article, to a fair in the northern zone to be conducted by the fair or, at the request of the fair, the board may license a racing association that was licensed by the board to conduct racing meetings in California prior to 2010 to conduct live horse racing at the fair during the dates allocated to the fair by the board.

(b) The live horse racing days, whether they are conducted by the fair or the racing association contracting with the fair, shall be subject to the same provisions of law as are presently applicable to a fair race meeting in the northern zone.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 7, Sec. 1. (AB 1303) Effective March 28, 2014.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the board may permit the Los Angeles County Fair to conduct live racing meetings at another site within or outside the County of Los Angeles. Subject to approval of the board, the Los Angeles County Fair may conduct its racing dates at a facility operated by a thoroughbred racing association licensed to conduct a racing meeting in the southern zone.

(b) A racing meeting licensed to the fair pursuant to subdivision (a) may be operated by the fair, or the fair may contract for the operation and management of the racing meeting with an individual racing association that was previously licensed to conduct a racing meeting.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 50, Sec. 4. (SB 721) Effective June 25, 2014.)

article: 6.5. Fairs and Expositions


text:
(a) The board shall require each licensed racing association that conducts 14 or less weeks of racing to designate 3 racing days, and each licensed racing association that conducts more than 14 weeks of racing to designate five racing days during any one meeting, to be conducted as charity days by the licensee for the purpose of distribution of the net proceeds therefrom to beneficiaries through the distributing agent. For the purposes of this section, a split meeting shall be considered a single meeting and the appropriate number of charity days shall be based on the total weeks of racing allocated for both periods of the meeting.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other provision of law, no racing association shall be required to pay to a distributing agent for the purpose of distribution to beneficiaries more than an amount equal to two-tenths of 1 percent of the association’s total on-track handle on live races conducted by the association at the meeting.

(c) This section does not apply to a fair, or to a licensed racing association conducting three weeks of racing or less.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1082, Sec. 66. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 7. Charity Racing Days

path: 8. SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS > 4. Horse Racing > 7. Charity Racing Days


text: As a condition of the issuance of the license, the board shall require that the licensee of such meeting shall conduct such charity day racing and shall furnish its plant, facilities and all personnel and property necessary for the conduct of racing on the charity days.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 1828.)

article: 7. Charity Racing Days


text: All racing officials required by law or regulation to serve in connection with the meeting shall also serve, without further authority or designation, in their respective capacities and at the same rate of compensation in connection with the charity day racing.

article: 7. Charity Racing Days


text:
On such charity days the income from all operations carried on in connection with or resulting from the conduct of racing on such days, including income from parimutuel wagering, admissions, parking, program sales and concessions shall be income from operations on such charity days.

From the gross income from such operations on charity days there shall be deducted only the expenses incurred because of the conduct of racing on such days, but no deduction shall be made by the licensee for any overhead expenses or for expenses of the licensee which would be incurred irrespective of the conduct of the charity days racing.

The balance of such income after such deductions is herein designated as charity days’ net proceeds and shall be paid by such licensee to a distributing agent selected and qualified in accordance with this article. No profit shall be made, either directly or indirectly, from such charity days’ operations by the licensee of the meeting.

article: 7. Charity Racing Days


text:
Except as provided elsewhere in this section, the distributing agent for charity distributions shall be a nonprofit organization or corporation, or nonprofit organizations or corporations, selected by the licensee of the meeting and approved by the board.

(a) Each distributing agent to be qualified hereunder shall conform to the then existing laws and regulations of this state and the United States, so as to be exempt or be entitled to exemption from the payment of any tax measured by income.

(b) Each distributing agent shall have not less than five trustees or directors. None of the individuals constituting the governing board of trustees or directors of the distributing agent shall be directly connected with, be a stockholder, or have any interest in the racing association that is the licensee of the race meeting. Each of the individual trustees or directors shall be a person who is, at the time, both a resident of this state, and an executive, officer, director, trustee, or member of the governing body or board, by whatever name the governing body or board may be known, of an organization engaged in civic, religious, charitable, educational, or veteran activities in this state.

(c) Each distributing agent shall adopt bylaws, shall provide for election to fill vacancies in the board of directors or trustees, and shall hold at least one meeting each year.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, with the approval of the board, a racing association whose board of trustees or directors is precluded by its articles of incorporation, bylaws, or by contract from receiving compensation for services in the capacity of trustee or director may act as its own distributing agent.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, with the approval of the board, a racing association may act as its own distributing agent provided it allocates and distributes for charitable purposes an amount at least equal to that specified in subdivision (b) of Section 19550 in accordance with Section 19555 and subdivision (b) of Section 19556.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 170, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)

article: 7. Charity Racing Days


text: Each licensee shall pay over such charity days’ net proceeds to such distributing agent as soon as practicable after the determination thereof, and such agent or agents shall hereafter distribute not less than 90 percent of the aggregate proceeds from charity days’ racing received and available for distribution by it to beneficiaries within 12 calendar months after the last day of the meeting during which such charity days were conducted. The balance, if any, of such aggregate charity days’ net proceeds not distributed within such 12-month period shall be distributed as soon thereafter as is practicable.

article: 7. Charity Racing Days