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2012 SESSION

12103904D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 172
Offered January 11, 2012
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the horse racing industry in the Commonwealth. Report.
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Patron-- Scott, E.T.
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has significant amounts of farm land, pasture land and facilities devoted to breeding, raising, training, stabling, and racing of horses at various locations in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s economy would benefit from preservation, development, and marketing of the Horse Racing Industry and those industries that furnish practical and professional services to it in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia would receive financial benefits from employment opportunities, the investment of capital, and the realization of profits from breeding, raising, training, stabling, and racing of horses, and from pari-mutuel wagering on horses at certain locations in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the viability of the Horse Racing Industry in the Commonwealth is threatened by competition from surrounding jurisdictions that provide extensive financial support for their horse racing industries; and

WHEREAS, the financial and other implications of Virginia’s Horse Racing Industry deserve to be considered and studied; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the horse racing industry in the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee shall have a total membership of seven legislative members. Members shall be appointed as follows: five members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates and two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall develop recommendations for preserving, developing, and marketing the horse racing industry. Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Virginia Racing Commission and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2012 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $13,160 without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

No recommendation of the joint subcommittee shall be adopted if a majority of the House members or a majority of the Senate members appointed to the joint subcommittee (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint subcommittee.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2012, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2013 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and the report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2012 interim.