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Senators hear rural pleas for a lottery backfill to sustain horse racing and fairgrounds

Senate Committee on Commerce and General Government · February 4, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Horse‑racing advocates told the Senate committee that establishing a Horse Racing Account funded by 0.3% of Oregon Lottery net proceeds would replace lost support and preserve rural fairgrounds, jobs and agricultural activity; witnesses urged passage to avoid imminent revenue losses tied to a separate change ending earlier fund sources.

Supporters of Senate Bill 1524 told the Senate Committee on Commerce and General Government on Feb. 4 that dedicating three‑tenths of one percent (0.3%) of Oregon Lottery net proceeds to a Horse Racing Account would replace funding streams that are disappearing and preserve racing at several county fairgrounds.

Senator Hayden, sponsor of SB 1524, described the bill as a source‑shift rather than new spending: the measure would fund racing events, track maintenance and safety equipment, veterinary…

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