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Senators hear rural pleas for a lottery backfill to sustain horse racing and fairgrounds
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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 services, purse money and incentives through a new account administered by the Oregon Racing Commission. The operative date was presented as July 1, 2027; fiscal and revenue statements were not yet available.
Industry witnesses — including Randy Bodine (Oregon HBPA), Rod Lowe (Horseman's Racing Association / Grants Pass Downs), Dave Nelson (racing industry veteran), Freddie Ibarra (quarter‑horse trainer) and others — described decades of decline in pari‑mutuel handle driven by competing gambling options and the loss of prior backfill deals. Witnesses said the lost funds represent a substantial portion of industry income (one witness said about 30% would be lost by June 2027 if no replacement is found) and argued that racing supports rural economies through jobs, hay purchases, veterinarians, farriers and associated small businesses.
Testimony stressed animal welfare and safety investments as part of the bill’s uses, and ownership and breeding groups said purse money and jockey incentives are necessary to keep horses and related economic activity in Oregon rather than shipping it to neighboring states. Witnesses described local cultural and family ties to racing and cited historical changes — video poker and lottery expansion — as contributing to long‑term declines in racing revenue.
Committee members acknowledged the testimony and thanked witnesses. The committee closed public testimony on the bill and adjourned; staff indicated they would work to schedule a follow‑up and consider next procedural steps.
