California § 19605.77 - Notwithstanding Section 19610, a harness racing association may deduct an additio

§ 19605.77. Notwithstanding Section 19610, a harness racing association may deduct an additio

(a) Notwithstanding Section 19610, a harness racing association may deduct an additional 1 percent of the total amount handled in conventional parimutuel pools of harness races. This additional deduction shall only be permitted with the approval of the organization representing harness horsemen and horsewomen at the applicable racing association meeting. (b) Any funds collected pursuant to subdivision (a) from conventional parimutuel pools on harness races within the inclosure of a racetrack, at satellite wagering facilities within this state, and through advance deposit wagering by residents of this state, shall be distributed to the organization described in subdivision (e) to be used in accordance with subdivision (d). (c) Any harness racing association that authorizes a betting system located outside of this state to accept conventional wagers on its races and to combine those wagers in the association’s conventional parimutuel pools, including, but not limited to, a multijurisdictional wagering hub as to conventional wagers made by residents other than those of this state, may deduct the amount specified in subdivision (a) in addition to any other applicable deductions specified in law. Any amount deducted pursuant to this subdivision shall be distributed to the organization described in subdivision (e) to be used in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (d). This additional deduction shall not be included in the amount on which license fees are determined pursuant to Section 19602. (d) The amounts distributed to the organization described in subdivision (e) shall be deposited by that organization in a separate account and used to reduce the workers’ compensation insurance costs for trainers who are racing horses at the applicable harness racing association meet. Any funds not expended for this purpose in the calendar year in which they are collected may either be used for the following year’s workers’ compensation costs, as specified above, or to benefit the harness purse pool at the track where the funds are generated. (e) The harness racing association and the organization representing harness horsemen and horsewomen shall form an organization to which any funds deducted pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) shall be distributed. The harness associations collectively shall have representation equal to that of the organization representing harness horsemen and horsewomen on the governing board of the organization formed pursuant to this subdivision. (f) If the harness racing association and the organization representing harness horsemen and horsewomen cannot agree on the manner for distributing these funds to defray the costs of workers’ compensation insurance, the matter shall be submitted to the board for a decision consistent with subdivision (d), and the decision of the board shall be final.