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Committee approves change to racetrack video lottery income distribution to per‑capita shares
Summary
Senate Bill 513 would change distribution of one percent of net terminal income from equal shares to per‑capita allocations among municipalities and correct an exclusion that would have denied a city that spans two counties its share; the committee reported the bill to the full Senate under double referral to Finance.
The Senate Committee on Government Organization voted to report Senate Bill 513 to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and directed the bill, under its original double committee reference, to the Finance Committee.
Committee counsel explained that SB 513 amends two code sections involving distribution of excess net terminal income from racetrack video lottery terminals. Under current law the counties where video lottery terminals are located receive 2% of net terminal income; one percent goes to the county and one percent is distributed among municipalities. SB 513 would change the municipal share from equal shares to distribution on a per‑capita basis, aligning this language with other provisions that already use per‑capita distribution.
Counsel said the change also corrects an unintended consequence from 2023 House Bill 3450 that would have excluded the City of Weirton from receiving any municipal allocation because the city lies in two counties (Brooke and Hancock). Counsel noted that Mountaineer is the only racetrack in West Virginia affected by this bill because other tracks are located within a single municipality.
A senator asked whether the bill raises taxes; counsel replied that it is only an allocation change and does not raise taxes. Committee members also clarified that per‑capita calculations include all residents of the municipality even if portions of the municipality lie in a different county.
After no amendments were offered, the vice chair moved to report SB 513 to the full Senate with recommendation that it do pass and to first refer it to the Finance Committee, as required by the bill’s double reference. The motion passed on a voice vote; no recorded roll‑call tally was given.
The committee action advances SB 513 to the Finance Committee and ultimately to the full Senate for further consideration.
