The bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the operational and financial framework of the Greene County Racing Commission. Key changes include an increase in annual compensation for commission members, determined by the local legislative delegation, and a new residency requirement mandating that commissioners must have lived in Alabama for at least five years prior to their appointment. The bill also removes previous restrictions on the number of authorized racing days, allowing for greater scheduling flexibility, and raises the maximum annual license fee for racetrack operations from $1,000 to $25,000. Additionally, it introduces new duties for commission members, including the requirement for at least one member to be present or on call during each 24-hour pari-mutuel day, and clarifies that all commission records will be public. Further amendments include the establishment of non-transferable licenses specific to approved locations, allowing the commission to issue up to two racetrack licenses that can operate concurrently, and streamlining the license renewal process. The bill mandates that 75% of racetrack employees must be bona fide residents of Greene County and retains the commission's authority to regulate licenses and enforce pari-mutuel wagering regulations. It also introduces a new allocation of funds, specifying that two percent will be appropriated to the local legislative delegation, and repeals the prohibition against transmitting information related to greyhound races during a specified timeframe, which included the unlawful transmission of race results and other related information from one hour before the first race until 30 minutes after the official results are posted. The bill aims to modernize the regulatory framework for racetracks and pari-mutuel operations while ensuring local employment and compliance with state residency requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150, 45-32-150