HB464 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Curtis L. TravisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Greene County; county racing commission, further provided; simulcast racing, pari-mutuel wagering, further provided

Summary

HB464 would overhaul Greene County's racing commission, tighten licensing rules and taxes on wagering, require local hiring, and redirect racing revenues to county services while repealing a rule about manipulating race outcomes.

What This Bill Does

It creates a Greene County Racing Commission of three members with specified appointment and duties, increases commissioner pay, and ensures public records access. It updates licensure rules for racetracks and pari-mutuel wagering, including residency requirements for licensees, annual license fees up to 25,000, limits on licenses and racing days, and a 75% Greene County resident employment goal. It imposes a local four percent tax on pari-mutuel pools (with an 18% licensee share cap), allocates revenue to jail, courthouse, county services, and various county offices, and expands the framework to include historical horse racing machines with separate local and state taxes. It repeals an existing provision on race outcome manipulation and adds detailed rules for wagering on dog races, security, health requirements, operating hours, Sunday racing prohibition, and penalties for illegal gambling.

Who It Affects

• Greene County residents and local government: will receive funds from racing revenue (e.g., jail, courthouse, county services, schools, libraries, public safety, and other community programs) and will be affected by residency and local hiring requirements.
• Racetrack licensees and Greene County workers: operators must meet new licensing rules, pay higher or new fees, hire a majority of Greene County residents, and operate under stricter scheduling and wagering rules; employees and contractors are affected by residency requirements and local tax distributions.

Key Provisions

• Creates Greene County Racing Commission with three gubernatorial appointees representing Greene County; terms, duties, bond, and public records rules outlined.
• Commission compensation increased to $25,000 annually per member plus $50 per day for race attendance; funds paid from county treasury; one member required to cover each 24-hour pari-mutuel day.
• Licensing: license periods up to 10 years; annual license fees not to exceed $25,000; licenses non-transferable; no issuance allowing two tracks to operate on the same racing days; residency and qualification requirements for licensees and key personnel.
• Residency and hiring: licensees must be Alabama residents or have ties demonstrating five years in-state; at least 75% of track employees must be Greene County residents.
• Racing days: general limit of up to 313 racing days per year (including charity days); Sunday racing prohibited; additional hours rules and post-midnight operating allowances specified.
• Wagering on dog racing: strict licensing and regulation; penalties for illegal wagering; security, veterinary, and insurance requirements; hours and public safety provisions included.
• Tax and revenue: 4% local tax on pari-mutuel pools, 18% cap on licensee commissions, and distribution of remaining funds to various county entities; admission tax and handling rules specified; funds allocated quarterly to jail, courthouse, county government, and other programs.
• Historical horse racing: creates a separate track for historical racing machines with local taxes up to 4% and state tax at 1%, with separate pool handling and distributions, in lieu of other local taxes on these activities.
• Outcomes and manipulation: repeals Section 45-32-150.19 and tightens prohibitions on altering race results or sharing results for manipulation; enhanced penalties for violations.
• Effective date: Act becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Greene County