Senate Finance Committee advances bill to create horse racing account funded by lottery proceeds

The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue on Feb. 24 voted to advance Senate Bill 15 24 to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation and a subsequent referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

An analyst from the Legislative Revenue Office told the committee the bill "creates the horse racing account and allocates to the account 0.3% of lottery net proceeds" with the funding scheduled to start in the 2027–29 biennium. That overview was the primary substantive presentation during the committee's brief work session.

Vice Chair McLean moved to advance the measure, saying, "I move Senate Bill 15 24 to the floor with the do-pass recommendation and prior subsequent referral to Joint Committee on Ways and Means." The committee then conducted a roll call. Senator Taylor voted yes; Senator Patterson was excused; Senator Anderson voted aye; Vice Chair McLean voted aye; and Chair Broadbent voted aye. After the tally, the chair announced, "Motion carries." The transcript records four affirmative votes and one excused member.

Committee members did not engage in extended debate on the measure during the session, and no amendments were offered on the floor at this meeting. The chair said there was no further business, discussed possible upcoming committee scheduling based on the floor calendar, and then adjourned the meeting.

The bill will next appear on the Senate floor and is slated for referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration of fiscal implications.