Racing Commission seeks continued intern funding; commission also requests copier replacement

Racing Commission staff briefed the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division on two modest budget items: continued funding for two seasonal interns and a $13,000 copier replacement.

A Racing Commission representative (identified in the hearing as Earl) said the commission has carried two interns during recent racing seasons. The interns assist with licensing (jockeys, trainers, grooms and others), support veterinary needs, and carry out a range of hands-on tasks during meets. Earl said the commission previously operated with larger intern staffs but that two interns have been sufficient in recent seasons.

Senators discussed why the intern appropriation has been handled as one-time funding in recent sessions. A commission staffer explained that the internship line was put into an agency base at one point but later removed by the House, returning it to one-time status; the commission and some senators argued the program’s benefits justify ongoing funding.

Earl also recounted a specific example from a recent meet in which an intern with videography interest and skills stepped in when the longstanding videographer suffered a medical episode; the intern learned the work and was later offered the business, the commission said. Commissioners noted the practical workforce development and licensing assistance the interns provide.

On the copier replacement, staff said the commission reviewed estimates and reported a roughly $13,000 cost for a heavy-duty industrial printer because the office prints license forms, breed fund documents and other materials that rules require to be retained in hard copy. The subcommittee did not act on the requests during this session; members said they would return to the item when the committee last convenes for final actions.