The bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to update the regulations governing the Greene County Racing Commission, focusing on its structure, member qualifications, and operational guidelines. Key changes include increasing the annual compensation for commission members, establishing a residency requirement for appointees, and allowing the legislative delegation representing Greene County to appoint members instead of the Governor. The bill also removes the previous cap on the number of racing days, which was limited to 313 days per year, and introduces a new local tax on pari-mutuel wagering, along with provisions for revenue distribution. Additionally, it repeals Section 45-32-150.19 concerning the manipulation of racing outcomes and significantly raises the annual license fee for racetracks and pari-mutuel operations from a maximum of $1,000 to $25,000.

Further amendments streamline the licensing process by specifying that licenses are non-transferable and applicable only to designated locations, while allowing the commission to issue up to two licenses for concurrent operation. The bill mandates that at least 75% of racetrack employees be bona fide residents of Greene County and requires license renewal applications to demonstrate continued qualifications. It also introduces a local tax framework for pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, with a local tax rate of up to four percent and a state tax of one percent. Notably, the bill allocates two percent of funds to the local legislative delegation and adjusts the distribution of funds collected from racing activities to support various community services. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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