House of Representatives

SB 1325

county fairs; breeders' awards; revenues

Sponsors: Senators Brown, Bee; Representative Flake et al

DPA	Committee on Appropriations
x	Caucus and COW
	As Passed the House

SB 1325 modifies the distribution of pari-mutuel racing revenues and monies received from unclaimed and abandoned property to several funds relating to county fairs, racing and agriculture.

History

Laws 1996, Chapter 353 authorized up to twenty per cent of the revenues derived from the disposition of unclaimed property to be allocated to eight funds that promote livestock and agriculture and support county fairs, horse racing, breeders’ awards, agriculture consulting and training, and capital outlay for the state fairgrounds. Those funds receive a fixed percentage of revenues generated by racing permittees as well as the share of unclaimed property receipts. Seven of the eight funds have a statutory cap on the amount of money that each may receive in either a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the funds available, whichever is less. Once the maximum is reached, all monies in excess of the amount are deposited into the general fund.

SB 1325 provides that these funds will receive either the specified dollar amount or a percentage of the funds available, whichever is more.

Description of Funds:

¨ County Fairs Racing Betterment- provides payments for purses to county fair horsemen and county fair racing operators.

¨ County Fairs Livestock & Agriculture Promotion-administered by a committee appointed by the Governor, benefits county fairs and the Arizona National Livestock Show.

¨ Arizona Breeders’ Award- provides payments to breeders of successful Arizona-bred horses and greyhounds.

¨ Arizona Stallion Award- pays awards to owners of Arizona stallions that sire successful Arizona bred horses.

¨ County Fair Racing- pays for Department of Racing staff to oversee county fair racing.

¨ Agriculture Consulting & Training- Administered by the Department of Agriculture to provide consulting services to the agricultural community.

¨ Funds Administration- Used by the Department of Racing to administer the County Fairs Racing Fund, the Arizona Breeders’ Award Fund, the Arizona Stallion Award Fund, and the Greyhound Adoption Fund. Subject to legislative appropriation.

¨ Arizona Exposition and State Fair- capital outlay for state fairgrounds.

Provisions

· Increases the distribution of pari-mutuel racing revenues and monies received from unclaimed and abandoned property to seven funds administered by the Arizona Department of Racing.

· Provides that if the County Fair Racing Fund receives more than $300,000, 75 per cent of the excess will be distributed to the County Fairs Racing Betterment Fund and 25 per cent to the Arizona Breeders’ Award Fund.

· Limits the amount of unclaimed property monies to be transferred in fiscal year 2001-2002 to $3,000,000.

SB 1325 was amended in the Appropriations Committee as follows:

· Delays implementation of the provisions of the bill until July 1, 2002.

· Limits the amount of unclaimed property revenue to be transferred in FY 2002-03 to $2M (rather than $3M for FY 2001-02, currently in bill).

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· 45th Legislature

· First Regular Session 2 April 18, 2001

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