HB469 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Mary Moore

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Alabama Equine Commission, created, Committee on Horse Welfare created, horse racing, pari-mutuel funds

Summary

HB469 would create the Alabama Committee on Horse Welfare and the Alabama Equine Commission and require a portion of pari-mutuel takeout to fund horse activities and breeding programs in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It establishes two new bodies: the Alabama Committee on Horse Welfare to decide how funds from pari-mutuel pools should be used for horse-related activities, and the Alabama Equine Commission to receive and distribute those funds. The bill sets monthly takeout remittances from racing operations and directs how the money is split among horse activities, facility construction, and breeders funds for Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred associations. After the Committee completes its funding plan, it reports to the Commission, which then distributes the funds; the Commission is subject to Sunset Law and the Committee dissolves after reporting.

Who It Affects

• Horse industry organizations and horse owners in Alabama (e.g., various state associations) would gain representation on the Committee on Horse Welfare and influence how funds are allocated to horse activities.
• Racing operators and the Alabama horse breeding community (including the Alabama Quarter Horse Breeders Association and the Alabama Thoroughbred Breeders/Racing Association) would contribute takeout funds and receive funding through breeders funds and related horse programs.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Committee on Horse Welfare with representatives from listed horse organizations, plus House and Senate appointees; committee co-chairs are legislative members; no compensation; limited meetings; committee dissolves after delivering its funding report.
• Creates the Alabama Equine Commission with specified members (Quarter Horse breeder, House member, Senate member, Thoroughbred breeders/association member, and a non-breeder horse owner appointed by the Governor); terms, diversity considerations, vacancies, chair election, quorum, and compensation rules; Commission administers takeout proceeds and is subject to Sunset Law.
• Requires monthly remittance from racing operators: 7% of total handle, 18% of net gaming, and 50% of other gaming/simulcast; uses funds for horse activities, facility construction/expansion, Quarter Horse breeders fund, and Thoroughbred breeders events/funds as specified.
• Defines that the Alabama Equine Commission distributes funds per the Committee’s report, with the Commission under the Sunset Law and an effective date following passage; the Committee reports and then dissolves, and the Commission operates under ongoing sunset processes.

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

Subjects

Equine Commission