HB773 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Racing, takeout deducted by a racing operator designated for Alabama bred horses, Sec. 11-65-31 am'd

Summary

The bill would redirect 7% of horse-racing takeout to fund Alabama-bred horse activities through a new Alabama Equine Commission and create the commission with defined members, duties, and a sunset.

What This Bill Does

It amends the horse racing takeout provision to require 7% of total horse racing handle to be used for purse money for Alabama Equine Commission horse races conducted for Alabama-bred horses, with monthly transfers to the Alabama Equine Association for distribution. Funds are split 10% for various equine programs, 40% to the Alabama Quarter Horse Racing Association, and 50% to the Alabama Thoroughbred Breeders Racing Association for breeding and racing. It creates the Alabama Equine Commission to administer these proceeds and sets its membership, duties, compensation rules, and operating procedures, including sunset provisions and an effective date; it also notes a separate greyhound purse provision that does not require a minimum purse.

Who It Affects

• Horse racing operators and pari-mutuel venues in Alabama — they must deduct seven percent of their horse racing handle as purse money for Alabama-bred activities and send monthly funds to the Alabama Equine Association for distribution.
• The Alabama Equine Commission and related horse-breed organizations and programs (including the Alabama Quarter Horse Racing Association and the Alabama Thoroughbred Breeders Racing Association) — they will receive and administer the funds to support Alabama-bred horse activities and related programs, under the Commission's governance and the sunset rules.

Key Provisions

• Seven percent of the total horse racing handle from takeout must be used to provide purse moneys for Alabama Equine Commission horse races conducted for Alabama-bred horses.
• Monthly funds from operators go to the Alabama Equine Association and are allocated as follows: 10% for starving/adoption/retirement/education/special equestrian programs, incentive funds, breeders fund, domicile inspection program, building funds, and other Alabama events as determined by the Equine Commission; 40% to the Alabama Quarter Horse Racing Association for breeding and racing; 50% to the Alabama Thoroughbred Breeders Racing Association for breeding and racing.
• A new Alabama Equine Commission is created, composed of five members (AQHA Racing Association member, House member, Senate member, Alabama Thoroughbred Breeders Racing Association member, and a Governor-appointed non-racing horse owner), with six-year terms for non-legislative members and terms aligned with legislative quadrenniums for legislative members; it must reflect state diversity and limit no more than three members from the same race.
• The Commission administers the takeout proceeds, sets meeting procedures, and is subject to the Alabama Sunset Law with a termination date, to be reviewed every four years, unless continued.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Racing