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Racing commission budget rises with historical‑horse‑racing disbursements; majority of funding passed through breeders, purses, parishes
Summary
The Louisiana State Racing Commission reported that FY2026 recommended means of finance total about $12.1 million, with major pass‑throughs for purse supplements, breeder awards and historical horse‑racing distributions; the agency has no meaningful general fund appropriation in a typical year.
Senate Finance staff presented the Louisiana State Racing Commission budget and said FY2026 recommended means of finance are roughly $12,100,000. The presenter noted that the agency normally does not receive general fund appropriations and that most of the money is statutory dedications and fees tied to wagering and historical horse‑racing activity.
The agency described three major pass‑through categories: purse supplements (about $5.8 million across two supplement programs funded by video poker and sports wagering revenue), breeder awards (about $1.7 million statutory minimum), and historical horse‑racing disbursements (about $1.6 million). Other statutory distributions include a mandated payment to the Board of Regents (~$235,000), attorney general allocations (~$155,000) and a small share to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry (~$60,000). The commission’s lab contract for equine specimen testing was shown at approximately $1.3 million.
Personnel and staffing: the commission has 89 authorized positions and reported roughly seven vacancies as of December 30, 2024. Salaries and related benefits account for roughly one third of the commission’s budget; the average TO salary reported was about $58,608. The presenter also noted that 22% of employees are in DROP or eligible for retirement.
Allocation formula: staff reviewed the statutory distribution formula for historical horse‑racing proceeds: approximately 67% of collections remain with the commission, 11.5% goes to Thoroughbred Breeders, 5% to Quarter Horse Breeders, 8.25% to parish governments (off‑track wagering facilities) and another 8.25% to sheriffs in those parishes.
The commission’s executive director and fiscal director were present to answer technical questions; no committee action or vote was recorded.
