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Panel hears bill to help racetracks pay federal HISA fees; industry warns of economic loss without aid
Summary
House Bill 1703 would allow the Horse Racing Commission to impose fees and create a state credit to offset federally mandated Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) charges; backers say rising federal fees threaten tracks and related local businesses.
The House Finance Committee heard Feb. 21 on House Bill 1703, proposed to help Washington’s horse-racing ecosystem respond to fees levied under the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) of 2020.
Representative Chris Stearns, prime sponsor, told the committee HISA imposed new, industry-wide fees that have grown substantially and that earlier federal pass-through support has ended. “The fees are gonna jump to about $1.2 to up to $1,500,000,” Stearns said, adding the increase could be “a fatal blow to the horse racing industry here.”
Industry representatives described the economic footprint of Emerald Downs and other racing activities. Phil Ziegler, president of Emerald Downs, said the track drew more than 200,000…
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