PCS for CS/HB 105 — Act Relating to Pari-Mutuel Wagering (Commerce Committee, 2025)
Summary
PCS for CS/HB 105 2025 is a bill to be entitled an act relating to pari-mutuel wagering. Its title digest lists authorizing thoroughbred permitholders to elect not to conduct live racing or games while retaining certain permits and licenses, revising thoroughbred breeders' awards and purse funding, and repealing a section on horseracing minimum purse requirements. It also covers converting quarter horse permits to a limited thoroughbred permit, moving permit locations to a licensed thoroughbred training center, and revising requirements for permitholders who have cardroom licenses. Rulemaking is directed to the Florida Gaming Control Commission, and the digest ends with providing an effective date.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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“PCS for CS/HB 105 — Act Relating to Pari-Mutuel Wagering (Commerce Committee, 2025).”
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
PCS for CS/HB 105 2025
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to pari-mutuel wagering; amending s.
3 550.01215, F.S.; authorizing thoroughbred
4 permitholders to elect not to conduct live racing or
5 games; specifying that such permitholders retain
6 certain permits, eligibility, exemptions, and
7 licenses; providing that certain permitholders are
8 eligible to be a guest track, providing a timeframe
9 that certain thoroughbred permitholders may not offer
10 live racing, providing notice requirements; amending
11 s. 550.26165, F.S.; providing legislative purpose;
12 requiring certain moneys to be used for a specified
13 purpose; requiring such awards be given at a uniform
14 rate pursuant to a specified plan developed in a
15 certain manner; requiring such plan be published in
16 the Florida Administrative Register by a certain date;
17 authorizing the commission to use flexibility in the
18 development and implementation of a certain program;
19 providing the source of amounts available for
20 distribution; requiring permitholders to make certain
21 payments by a specified date; revising thoroughbred
22 breeders' awards; providing eligibility requirements
23 for awards; requiring a specified association to
24 maintain certain records; authorizing such association
25 to require a fee for specified services; providing a
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26 maximum for such fee; requiring purses be funded in a
27 specified manner and paid at a specified rate;
28 requiring awards to be paid on by a certain time;
29 requiring the Florida Gaming Control Commission
30 maintain certain records; requiring a certain
31 association to remit specified funds to the state
32 immediately; requiring such funds to be placed in a
33 specified account; authorizing awards to be paid for
34 races in other states or countries; requiring the
35 commission to adopt certain rules; providing
36 underpayment requirements for permitholders;
37 authorizing the commission to adopt emergency rules;
38 repealing s. 550.2625, F.S., relating to Horseracing;
39 minimum purse requirement; Florida breeders' and
40 owners' awards; amending s. 550.3345, F.S.; revising
41 provisions related to the conversion of quarter horse
42 permits to a limited thoroughbred permit; authorizing
43 such permit locations to be moved to a licensed
44 thoroughbred training center; providing for the
45 licensing of thoroughbred training centers; authorizes
46 the commission to adopt rules for such licensing and
47 oversight; provides for board membership of the not-
48 for-profit corporation; provides legislative findings;
49 preempts certain local laws, charters, ordinances,
50 resolutions, regulations, policies, initiatives, or
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51 referendums; provides application; amending s.
52 550.3351, F.S.; revising the entity responsible for
53 approving changes to live racing minimums; repealing
54 s. 550.625, F.S., relating to Intertrack wagering;
55 purses; breeders' awards; amending s. 550.6305, F.S.;
56 making conforming changes; amending s. 551.104, F.S.;
57 revising specified requirements for thoroughbred
58 permitholders who have certain licenses; amending s.
59 571.265, F.S.; relating to promotion of Florida
60 thoroughbred breeding and racing at Florida
61 thoroughbred tracks; amending s. 849.086, F.S.;
62 revising requirements for certain permitholders who
63 have cardroom licenses; providing an effective date.
64
65 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
66
67 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
68 550.01215, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
69 550.01215 License application; periods of operation;
70 license fees; bond.—
71 (1) Each permitholder shall annually, during the period
72 between January 15 and February 4, file in writing with the
73 commission its application for an operating license for a pari-
74 mutuel facility for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering during
75 the next state fiscal year, including intertrack and simulcast
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76 race wagering. Each application for live performances must
77 specify the number, dates, and starting times of all live
78 performances that the permitholder intends to conduct. It must
79 also specify which performances will be conducted as charity or
80 scholarship performances.
81 (b)1. A greyhound permitholder may not conduct live
82 racing. A jai alai permitholder, thoroughbred permitholder,
83 harness horse racing permitholder, or quarter horse racing
84 permitholder may elect not to conduct live racing or games. A
85 thoroughbred permitholder must conduct live racing. A greyhound
86 permitholder, jai alai permitholder, thoroughbred permitholder,
87 harness horse racing permitholder, or quarter horse racing
88 permitholder that does not conduct live racing or games retains
89 its permit; is a pari-mutuel facility as defined in s.
90 550.002(23); if such permitholder has been issued a slot machine
91 license, the facility where such permit is located remains an
92 eligible facility as defined in s. 551.102(4), continues to be
93 eligible for a slot machine license pursuant to s. 551.104(3),
94 and is exempt from ss. 551.104(10) ss. 551.104(4)(c) and (10)
95 and 551.114(2); is eligible, but not required, to be a guest
96 track and, if the permitholder is a harness horse racing
97 permitholder or a thoroughbred permitholder, to be a host track
98 for purposes of intertrack wagering and simulcasting pursuant to
99 ss. 550.3551, 550.615, 550.625, and 550.6305; and remains
100 eligible for a cardroom license. A thoroughbred permitholder who
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101 operates a slot machine facility or cardroom shall offer a full
102 schedule of live racing until such permitholder notifies the
103 commission that it will no longer offer live racing. Notice
104 under this subparagraph is not valid unless it is delivered on
105 or after July 1, 2027, and contains the date on which the
106 permitholder will no longer offer live racing which may not be
107 earlier than a date 3 years after the date of the notice. The
108 permitholder is not required to deliver such notice when
109 relocating pursuant to s. 550.3345 or s. 550.475.
110 2. A permitholder or licensee may not conduct live
111 greyhound racing or dogracing in connection with any wager for
112 money or any other thing of value in the state. The commission
113 may deny, suspend, or revoke any permit or license under this
114 chapter if a permitholder or licensee conducts live greyhound
115 racing or dogracing in violation of this subparagraph. In
116 addition to, or in lieu of, denial, suspension, or revocation of
117 such permit or license, the commission may impose a civil
118 penalty of up to $5,000 against the permitholder or licensee for
119 a violation of this subparagraph. All penalties imposed and
120 collected must be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to
121 the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
122 Section 2. Section 550.26165, Florida Statutes, is amended
123 to read:
124 (Substantial rewording of section.
125 See s. 550.26165, F.S., for present text.)
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126 550.26165 Breeders' incentives, purses and special racing
127 awards plan.—
128 (1) A purse structure for racehorse owners competitive
129 with the purses offered in other states is an important factor
130 in attracting the entry of well-bred horses in race meets in
131 this state. The availability of awards to the owners and the
132 breeders of Florida-bred racehorses, including the owners of
133 Florida based stallions, is an important factor used to
134 incentivize the purchase of Florida-bred horses at auction and
135 to induce well-bred stallions and mares to engage in breeding
136 activities in the state. In turn, the availability of these
137 financial awards help to assure the containing viability of the
138 thoroughbred industry in the state while simultaneously
139 producing maximum revenues from licensed racing activity for the
140 state and the counties. The purpose of this section is to
141 encourage the agricultural activity of owning, breeding, and
142 racing Florida-bred racehorses.
143 (2) Moneys dedicated in this chapter for use as purse
144 supplements to the owners of Florida-bred racehorses, as
145 breeders' awards, and as stallion awards are to be used to
146 incentivize the ownership and the breeding of registered
147 Florida-bred horses. Such awards shall be given at a uniform
148 rate pursuant to an annual plan developed by the commission. The
149 plan shall be developed with input from the Florida Department
150 of Agriculture and Consumer Services, stakeholders in the
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151 thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, and the general
152 public and published in the Florida Administrative Register by
153 January 1 for implementation during the next licensed racing
154 year. The awards programs described in this chapter must be
155 responsive to rapidly changing incentive programs in other
156 states and to accomplish this goal, the commission is hereby
157 authorized to use flexibility in the design and implementation
158 of a competitive awards programs. The plan approved by the
159 commission shall allocate, for distribution by category,
160 breeders' awards, stallion awards and Florida-bred purse
161 supplements available for distribution in the ensuing licensing
162 year. The amount available for distribution shall be derived
163 from the following sources:
164 (a) A minimum amount equal to 8.5 percent of the purse
165 account generated through intertrack wagering and interstate
166 simulcasting.
167 (b) A minimum amount equal to 0.955 percent on all pari-
168 mutuel pools conducted on all wagering during each race meet,
169 including any intertrack race taken pursuant to ss. 550.615-
170 550.6305 or any interstate simulcast taken pursuant to s.
171 550.3551(3). This paragraph also applies to all Breeder's Cup
172 races conducted outside this state taken pursuant to s.
173 550.3551(3).
174 (c) A minimum amount equal to 3.475 percent of the gross
175 revenue derived by the thoroughbred permitholder when serving as
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176 the host track for wagering on any race originating live in this
177 state which is broadcast out-of-state to any location at which
178 wagers are accepted pursuant to s. 550.3551(2).
179
180 The permitholder conducting the races shall make the payments
181 authorized in this section to the commission for deposit into
182 the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. The permitholder shall
183 remit such payments to the commission by the 5th day of each
184 calendar month for such sums accruing during the preceding
185 calendar month and provide any corresponding reporting as
186 prescribed by the commission. Such payments together with any
187 interest earned shall be used exclusively for the payment of
188 breeders', stallion, or special racing awards in accordance with
189 the plan established pursuant to this section.
190 (3) In order for a breeder of a Florida-bred thoroughbred
191 horse to be eligible to receive a breeder's award, the horse
192 must have been registered as a Florida-bred horse with the
193 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the Jockey Club
194 certificate for the horse must show that it has been duly
195 registered as a Florida-bred horse. The Florida Thoroughbred
196 Breeders' Association may charge the registrant a reasonable fee
197 for this verification and registration not to exceed $75 per
198 horse.
199 (4) In order for an owner of the sire of a thoroughbred
200 horse winning a stakes race to be eligible to receive a stallion
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201 award, the stallion must have been registered with the Florida
202 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the live breeding of the
203 registered Florida-bred horse must have occurred in this state.
204 The stallion must be standing permanently in this state during
205 the period of time between February 1 and June 15 of each year
206 or, if the stallion is dead, must have stood permanently in this
207 state for a period of not less than 1 year immediately before
208 its death. The removal of a stallion from this state during the
209 period of time between February 1 and June 15 of any year for
210 any reason, other than exclusively for prescribed medical
211 treatment, as approved by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders'
212 Association, renders the owner or owners of the stallion
213 ineligible to receive a stallion award under any circumstances
214 for offspring sired before removal, however, if a removed
215 stallion is returned to this state, all offspring sired
216 subsequent to the return make the owner or owners of the
217 stallion eligible for the stallion award but only for those
218 offspring sired subsequent to such return to this state. The
219 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association shall maintain
220 complete records showing the date the stallion arrived in this
221 state for the first time, whether or not the stallion remained
222 in the state permanently, the location of the stallion, and
223 whether the stallion is still standing in this state and
224 complete records showing awards earned, received, and
225 distributed. The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association may
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226 charge the stallion owner a reasonable fee for this service not
227 to exceed $75 per stallion.
228 (5) Purses shall be funded from the pari-mutuel pools
229 conducted by the permitholder. A thoroughbred permit shall pay
230 as purses during its race meets an amount equal to 7.0 percent
231 of all wagers placed pursuant to the provisions of s. 550.615,
232 as purses during its current race meet.
233 (6) A permitholder conducting a thoroughbred horse race
234 under the provisions of this chapter shall, within 30 days after
235 the end of the race meet during which the race is conducted,
236 certify to the commission such information relating to the
237 thoroughbred horses winning a stakes or other horserace at the
238 meet as may be required to determine the eligibility for payment
239 of breeders', stallion, and special racing awards.
240 (7) The commission shall maintain complete records showing
241 the starters and winners in all races conducted at thoroughbred
242 tracks in this state and shall maintain complete records showing
243 awards earned, received, and distributed.
244 (8) Any funds in the possession of the Florida
245 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association that had been paid to it by
246 any thoroughbred permitholder as required by any provision of
247 chapter 550 or chapter 551 in effect when the payment was made
248 shall be immediately paid to the commission for deposit to the
249 Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. The commission shall authorize
250 payment from such funds to any breeder or stallion owner
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251 entitled to an award that has not been previously paid by the
252 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association in accordance with
253 the applicable plan of distribution.
254 (9) Breeders' awards or stallion awards authorized under
255 this chapter, if authorized by a rule of the commission, may be
256 paid with respect to thoroughbred horse races taking place in
257 other states or countries.
258 (10) The commission shall adopt reasonable rules to ensure
259 the timely and accurate payment of all amounts withheld by
260 horserace permitholders regarding the distribution of purses,
261 owners' awards, and other amounts collected for payment to
262 owners and breeders pursuant to this section and this chapter.
263 (11) Each permitholder that fails to pay out all moneys
264 collected for payment to owners and breeders shall, within 10
265 days after the end of the meet during which the permitholder
266 underpaid purses, deposit an amount equal to the underpayment
267 into a separate interest-bearing account established by the
268 commission, which moneys shall be distributed to owners and
269 breeders in accordance with commission rules.
270 (12) The commission may at any time adopt emergency rules
271 pursuant to s. 120.54 to implement this section. The Legislature
272 finds that such emergency rulemaking power is necessary for the
273 preservation of the rights and welfare of the people in order to
274 provide additional funds to benefit the statewide thoroughbred
275 racing and breeding industry. The Legislature further finds that
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276 the unique nature of breeding and racing operations require,
277 from time to time, that the commission respond as quickly as is
278 practicable to changes in the marketplace. Therefore, in
279 adopting such emergency rules, the commission need not make the
280 findings required by s. 120.54(4)(a). Emergency rules adopted
281 under this section are exempt from s. 120.54(4)(c) and shall
282 remain in effect until replaced by other emergency rules or by
283 rules adopted under the nonemergency rulemaking procedures of
284 the Administrative Procedure Act.
285 Section 3. Section 550.2625, Florida Statutes, is
286 repealed.
287 Section 4. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section
288 550.3345, Florida Statutes, is amended and subsections (4) and
289 (5) are added to that section, to read:
290 550.3345 Conversion of quarter horse permit to a limited
291 thoroughbred permit.—
292 (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the holder
293 of a quarter horse racing permit issued under s. 550.334 may,
294 within 1 year after the effective date of this section, apply to
295 the commission for a transfer of the quarter horse racing permit
296 to a not-for-profit corporation formed under state law to serve
297 the purposes of the state as provided in subsection (1). The
298 board of directors of the not-for-profit corporation must be
299 comprised of 11 members, 4 of whom shall be designated by the
300 applicant, 4 of whom shall be designated by the Florida
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301 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, and 3 of whom shall be
302 designated by the other 8 directors, with at least 1 of these 3
303 members being an authorized representative of another
304 thoroughbred permitholder in this state. The not-for-profit
305 corporation shall submit an application to the commission for
306 review and approval of the transfer in accordance with s.
307 550.054. Upon approval of the transfer by the commission, and
308 notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the
309 not-for-profit corporation may, within 1 year after its receipt
310 of the permit, request that the commission convert the quarter
311 horse racing permit to a permit authorizing the holder to
312 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of thoroughbred racing.
313 Neither the transfer of the quarter horse racing permit nor its
314 conversion to a limited thoroughbred permit shall be subject to
315 the mileage limitation or the ratification election as set forth
316 under s. 550.054(2) or s. 550.0651. Upon receipt of the request
317 for such conversion, the commission shall timely issue a
318 converted permit. The converted permit and the not-for-profit
319 corporation shall be subject to the following requirements:
320 (d) Racing under the permit may take place only at the
321 location for which the original quarter horse racing permit was
322 issued, which may be leased by the not-for-profit corporation
323 for that purpose; however, the not-for-profit corporation may,
324 without the conduct of any ratification election pursuant to s.
325 550.054(13) or s. 550.0651, move the location of racing under
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326 the permit to either:
327 1. Another location in the same county provided that such
328 relocation is approved under the zoning and land use regulations
329 of the applicable county or municipality; or.
330 2. To a licensed thoroughbred training center located in a
331 county which has previously authorized pari-mutuel wagering
332 pursuant to subsection (4). In order to be licensed as a
333 thoroughbred training center, it must be designed and operated
334 for the purpose of training, boarding, and caring for
335 thoroughbred racehorses and be capable of providing instruction
336 for sundry equestrian activities related to this breed of horse.
337 The facility must have permanent stabling for at least 1,000
338 horses and operate multiple racecourses of varying surfaces for
339 the training of thoroughbred racing. Each racecourse must be at
340 least 50 feet wide and 3200 feet in length. The training
341 facility may include riding arenas, viewing stands, pastures,
342 grooming and veterinary care areas, and related amenities.
343 Nothwithstanding any other provision of law, such training
344 center may not operate a cardroom, or be issued a cardroom
345 operating license unless such training center operated a valid
346 cardroom license issued prior to January 1, 2025 directly under
347 its permit. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such
348 training center may not operate a slot machine facility, or be
349 issued a slot machine facility operating license.
350 (4) In order to foster and protect the statewide
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351 importance and impact of thoroughbred racing and breeding
352 throughout the state, the commission may adopt rules for the
353 licensing and oversight of thoroughbred training centers in
354 Florida which host live thoroughbred racing in conjunction with
355 their training activities. Racing at such facilities shall only
356 be conducted by a permit converted under this section that has
357 provided sufficient evidence to the commission that the
358 governance of the not-for-profit corporation is controlled by
359 board comprised of three appointees from owner of the training
360 center, an individual appointed by the chair of the commission,
361 and an individual appointed by the Commissioner of the
362 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The board
363 members may expand the board membership and make additional
364 appointments to the board from time to time pursuant to the
365 bylaws of the corporation.
366 (5) The Legislature finds and declares that it has
367 exclusive preemptive authority over the conduct of all aspects
368 of the business operations conducted at licensed thoroughbred
369 training centers authorized under this section to conduct pari-
370 mutuel wagering activities at such facilities, including but not
371 limited to the regulation of all equestrian activities, all
372 wagering activities and land use. As provided by law, only the
373 commission shall administer this section and regulate the
374 equestrian and pari-mutuel wagering activities conduced at, and
375 land use applicable to, licensed thoroughbred training centers
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376 as authorized in this section and the rules adopted by the
377 commission with respect thereto. Any provision of a local law, a
378 charter, an ordinance, a resolution, a regulation, a policy, an
379 initiative, or a referendum which is in conflict with this
380 section and which existed before, on, or after July 1, 2025, is
381 prohibited, void, and expressly preempted to the state.
382 Section 5. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section
383 550.3551, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
384 550.3551 Transmission of racing and jai alai information;
385 commingling of pari-mutuel pools.—
386 (6)(a) A permitholder conducting live races or games may
387 not conduct fewer than eight live races or games on any
388 authorized race day except as provided in this subsection. A
389 thoroughbred permitholder may not conduct fewer than eight live
390 races on any race day without the written approval of the
391 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the Florida
392 Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., unless
393 it is determined by the commission that another entity that
394 represents a majority of the thoroughbred racehorse owners and
395 trainers conducting racing during the licensed meet in the
396 state. If conducting live racing, a harness permitholder may
397 conduct fewer than eight live races on any authorized race day.
398 Any harness horse permitholder may receive full-card broadcasts
399 of harness horse races conducted at harness racetracks outside
400 this state at the harness track of the permitholder and accept
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401 wagers on such harness races.
402 Section 6. Section 550.625, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
403 Section 7. Paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) of subsection (9)
404 of section 550.6305, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
405 550.6305 Intertrack wagering; guest track payments;
406 accounting rules.—
407 (9) A host track that has contracted with an out-of-state
408 horse track to broadcast live races conducted at such out-of-
409 state horse track pursuant to s. 550.3551(5) may broadcast such
410 out-of-state races to any guest track and accept wagers thereon
411 in the same manner as is provided in s. 550.3551.
412 (a) For purposes of this section, "net proceeds" means the
413 amount of takeout remaining after the payment of state taxes,
414 purses required pursuant to s. 550.0951(3)(c)1., the cost to the
415 permitholder required to be paid to the out-of-state horse
416 track, and breeders' awards paid to the commission Florida
417 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the Florida Standardbred
418 Breeders and Owners Association, to be used as set forth in this
419 chapter s. 550.625(2)(a) and (b).
420 (b) Notwithstanding any the provisions of this chapter to
421 the contrary subsection (1) and s. 550.625(1) and (2)(a), the
422 distribution of the net proceeds that are retained by a
423 thoroughbred host track from the takeout on an out-of-state race
424 rebroadcast under this subsection shall be as follows:
425 1. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
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426 paid to the guest track;
427 2. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
428 retained by the host track; and
429 3. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
430 paid by the host track as purses at the host track.
431 (e) Notwithstanding any the provisions of this chapter to
432 the contrary subsection (1) and s. 550.625(1) and (2)(b), the
433 proceeds that are retained by a harness host facility from the
434 takeout on a race broadcast under this subsection shall be
435 distributed as follows:
436 1. Of the total intertrack handle on the broadcast, 1
437 percent shall be deducted from the proceeds and paid to the
438 Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, Inc., to
439 be used as set forth in s. 550.625(2)(b);
440 2. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
441 paid to the guest facility;
442 3. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
443 retained by the host facility; and
444 4. One-third of the remainder of said proceeds shall be
445 paid by the host facility as purses at the host facility.
446 Section 8. Paragraphs (d) through (i) of subsection (4) of
447 section 551.104, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
448 paragraphs (c) through (h), respectively, and present paragraph
449 (c) of subsection (4) and paragraph (a) of subsection (10) are
450 amended, to read:
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451 551.104 License to conduct slot machine gaming.—
452 (4) As a condition of licensure and to maintain continued
453 authority for the conduct of slot machine gaming, the slot
454 machine licensee shall:
455 (c) If a thoroughbred permitholder, conduct no fewer than
456 a full schedule of live racing or games as defined in s.
457 550.002(10). A permitholder's responsibility to conduct live
458 races or games shall be reduced by the number of races or games
459 that could not be conducted due to the direct result of fire,
460 strike, war, hurricane, pandemic, or other disaster or event
461 beyond the control of the permitholder.
462 (10)(a)1. No slot machine license or renewal thereof shall
463 be issued to an applicant holding a permit under chapter 550 to
464 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of thoroughbred racing unless
465 the applicant has on file with the commission a binding written
466 agreement between the applicant and the Florida Horsemen's
467 Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., governing the
468 payment of purses on live thoroughbred races conducted at the
469 licensee's pari-mutuel facility. In addition, no slot machine
470 license or renewal thereof shall be issued to such an applicant
471 unless the applicant has on file with the commission a binding
472 written agreement between the applicant and the Florida
473 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Inc., governing the payment
474 of breeders', stallion, and special racing awards on live
475 thoroughbred races conducted at the licensee's pari-mutuel
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476 facility. The agreement governing purses and the agreement
477 governing awards may direct the payment of such purses and
478 awards from revenues generated by any wagering or gaming the
479 applicant is authorized to conduct under Florida law. All purses
480 and awards shall be subject to the terms of chapter 550. All
481 sums for breeders', stallion, and special racing awards shall be
482 remitted monthly to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders'
483 Association, Inc., for the payment of awards subject to the
484 administrative fee authorized in s. 550.2625(3).
485 2. No slot machine license or renewal thereof shall be
486 issued to an applicant holding a permit under chapter 550 to
487 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of quarter horse racing
488 unless the applicant has on file with the commission a binding
489 written agreement between the applicant and the Florida Quarter
490 Horse Racing Association or the association representing a
491 majority of the horse owners and trainers at the applicant's
492 eligible facility, governing the payment of purses on live
493 quarter horse races conducted at the licensee's pari-mutuel
494 facility. The agreement governing purses may direct the payment
495 of such purses from revenues generated by any wagering or gaming
496 the applicant is authorized to conduct under Florida law. All
497 purses shall be subject to the terms of chapter 550.
498 Section 9. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
499 571.265, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph (c), and
500 paragraph (c) is added to subsection (1) and a new paragraph (b)
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501 is added to subsection (3) of that section, to read:
502 571.265 Promotion of Florida thoroughbred breeding and of
503 thoroughbred racing at Florida thoroughbred tracks; distribution
504 of funds.—
505 (1) For purposes of this section, the term:
506 (b) "Commission" means the Florida Gaming Control
507 Commission.
508 (3) The department shall distribute the funds made
509 available under this section as follows:
510 (a) Five million dollars shall be distributed to the
511 association to be used for the following:
512 1. One million five hundred thousand dollars shall be used
513 for a program established by the department for the recruitment
514 and retention of thoroughbred stallions and mares for breeding.
515 The department shall adopt rules and administer a grant program
516 to implement this section which shall be available to new
517 stallions and mares registered with the association after of the
518 effective date of this act. Funds may be used to assist with the
519 cost of relocation of out of state stallions and mares and to
520 subsidize the costs of breeding to registered Florida stallions.
521 Reimbursement rates under the program shall be as follows:
522 a. $25,000 shall be available after verification by the
523 department of the relocation and the registration with the
524 association of a new stallion from out of state. No more than
525 ten new stallions each year that relocate to Florida and
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526 register with the association may be eligible for funds under
527 this paragraph.
528 b. Up to $15,000 in additional funds shall be available
529 for each stallion registered with the association after the
530 effective date of this act subject to performance criteria as a
531 stud established by the department for payment at the conclusion
532 of the first foaling season following year after its
533 registration.
534 c. $1,500 per mare that has previously been bred to a
535 thoroughbred stallion in an out of state location upon the
536 mare's relocation to Florida and the mare's registration with
537 the association after the effective date of this act to assist
538 in the costs associated with the mare's relocation to Florida
539 and registration with the association.
540 d. $1,000 per mare located in Florida that at the time of
541 registration with the association has not previously been bred
542 to a thoroughbred stallion.
543 2. Three million five hundred thousand dollars shall be
544 used to provide for the reimbursement of stallion fees to the
545 owner of mares registered with the association after the mare
546 produces a live foal from a breeding with a stallion
547 participating in the program. The owner of a mare may seek
548 reimbursement after the mare produces a live foal and the foal's
549 registration with the association. The owners of mares
550 registered with the association may seek reimbursement for
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551 stallion stud fees from the department under the following
552 criteria:
553 a. Owners of mares may only seek reimbursement for
554 stallion stud fees which were $10,000 or less at the time of the
555 breeding.
556 b. The owner of a mare registered with the association
557 before the effective date of this act or the owner of a mare
558 registered after the effective date of this act that received
559 reimbursement for a stallion stud fee resulting in a live foal
560 under sub-paragraph c. shall receive reimbursement of fifty
561 percent of the stallion fee, up to $7,500.
562 c. The owner of a mare registered with the association
563 after the effective date of this act shall receive a
564 reimbursement of one hundred percent of the stallion stud fee,
565 up to $10,000 for its first live foal that the mare produces
566 from a breeding to a stallion participating in the program.
567 d. The department may adjust the caps established under
568 sub-paragraph a. in the annual program adopted by the department
569 beginning with the 2028 breeding season and in sub-paragraph b.
570 beginning with the 2029 breeding season.
571 3. The owner of any horse participating in or receiving
572 funds from this program may only sell the participating mare or
573 stallion in a private sale or via a public sale at a sales venue
574 located in Florida and licensed by the department pursuant to s.
575 535.01.
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576 4. The department may at any time adopt emergency rules,
577 forms and audit procedures pursuant to s. 120.54. The
578 Legislature finds that such emergency rulemaking power is
579 necessary for the preservation of the rights and welfare of the
580 people participating in the annual program in order to provide
581 these additional funds to benefit the public. The Legislature
582 further finds that the unique nature of thoroughbred breeding
583 operations requires, from time to time, that the department
584 respond as quickly as is practicable to changes in the
585 marketplace. Therefore, in adopting such emergency rules, the
586 department need not make the findings required by s.
587 120.54(4)(a). Emergency rules adopted under this section are
588 exempt from s. 120.54(4)(c) and shall remain in effect until
589 replaced by other emergency rules or by rules adopted under the
590 nonemergency rulemaking procedures of the Administrative
591 Procedure Act.
592 5. The association may charge a registration fee not to
593 exceed $75 for each registered mare participating in the program
594 and shall submit annually to the commission and the department
595 by July 30 a report detailing the new and current owners and
596 horses participating in the program.
597 1. Purses or purse supplements for Florida-bred or
598 Florida-sired horses registered with the association that
599 participate in Florida thoroughbred races.
600 2. Awards to breeders of Florida-bred horses registered
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601 with the association that win, place, or show in Florida
602 thoroughbred races.
603 3. Awards to owners of stallions who sired Florida-bred
604 horses registered with the association that win Florida
605 thoroughbred stakes races, if the stallions are registered with
606 the association as Florida stallions standing in this state.
607 4. Other racing incentives connected to Florida-bred or
608 Florida-sired horses registered with the association that
609 participate in thoroughbred races in Florida.
610 5. Awards administration.
611 6. Promotion of the Florida thoroughbred breeding
612 industry.
613 (b) Five million dollars shall be distributed to Tampa Bay
614 Downs, Inc., to be used as purses in thoroughbred races
615 conducted at its pari-mutuel facilities and for the maintenance
616 and operation of that facility, pursuant to an agreement with
617 its local majority horsemen’s group.
618 (c) Fifteen million dollars shall be distributed to
619 Gulfstream Park Racing Association, Inc., to be used as purses
620 in thoroughbred races conducted by either Gulfstream Park Racing
621 Association or Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred Aftercare and
622 Retirement Association at their current pari-mutuel facility as
623 allowed under s. 550.475 and s. 550.3345(2)(d) and for the
624 maintenance and operation of its facility at its pari-mutuel
625 facility and for the maintenance and operation of its facility,
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626 pursuant to an agreement with the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent
627 and Protective Association, Inc.
628 (d) Two and one-half million dollars shall be distributed
629 as follows:
630 1. Two million dollars to Gulfstream Park Racing
631 Association, Inc., and Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred Aftercare
632 and Retirement Association, to be used as purses and purse
633 supplements for Florida-bred or Florida-sired horses registered
634 with the association that participate in thoroughbred races at
635 the permitholder’s pari-mutuel facility, or a facility as
636 allowed under s. 550.475 and s. 550.3345(2)(d), pursuant to an
637 annual plan established by the commission a written agreement
638 filed with the department establishing the rates, procedures,
639 and eligibility requirements entered into by the permitholder,
640 the association, and the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and
641 Protective Association, Inc.
642 2. Five hundred thousand dollars to Tampa Bay Downs, Inc.,
643 to be used as purses and purse supplements for Florida-bred or
644 Florida-sired horses registered with the association that
645 participate in thoroughbred races at the permitholder’s pari-
646 mutuel facility, pursuant to an annual plan established by the
647 commission. a written agreement filed with the department
648 establishing the rates, procedures, and eligibility requirements
649 entered into by the permitholder, the association, and the local
650 majority horsemen’s group at the permitholder’s pari-mutuel
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651 facility.
652 (4) If either permitholder referenced to in s. 571.265(b)
653 and s. 571.265(c) elects to no longer offer live racing
654 performances such permitholder allocation of the fund shall be
655 distributed to any other permitholder which is licensed to offer
656 a full calendar of live racing at location which is more than
657 125 miles from the location of a permitholder which did not
658 elect to discontinue offering live performances. If there are
659 more than one, the funds shall be prorated proportionately
660 according to live race days. If there are no permitholders
661 offering live racing performances outside the 125 mile
662 restricted area, the nonelecting permitholder shall receive 100
663 percent of the funds subject to offering a full racing calendar.
664 (5)(4) On or before the first day of the August following
665 each fiscal year in which a recipient under this section
666 received or used funds pursuant to this section, each such
667 recipient must submit a report to the department detailing how
668 all funds were used in the prior fiscal year.
669 Section 10. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) and paragraph
670 (d) of subsection (13) of section 849.086, Florida Statutes, are
671 amended to read:
672 849.086 Cardrooms authorized.—
673 (5) LICENSE REQUIRED; APPLICATION; FEES.—No person may
674 operate a cardroom in this state unless such person holds a
675 valid cardroom license issued pursuant to this section.
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676 (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a pari-
677 mutuel permitholder, other than a permitholder issued a permit
678 pursuant to s. 550.3345 or a purchaser, transferee, or assignee
679 holding a valid permit for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering
680 approved pursuant to s. 550.054(15)(a), may not be issued a
681 license for the operation of a cardroom if the permitholder did
682 not hold an operating license for the conduct of pari-mutuel
683 wagering for fiscal year 2020-2021. In order for an initial
684 cardroom license to be issued to a thoroughbred permitholder
685 issued a permit pursuant to s. 550.3345, the applicant must have
686 requested, as part of its pari-mutuel annual license
687 application, to conduct at least a full schedule of live racing.
688 In order for a cardroom license to be renewed by a thoroughbred
689 permitholder, the applicant must have requested, as part of its
690 pari-mutuel annual license application, to conduct at least 90
691 percent of the total number of live performances conducted by
692 such permitholder during either the state fiscal year in which
693 its initial cardroom license was issued or the state fiscal year
694 immediately prior thereto if the permitholder ran at least a
695 full schedule of live racing or games in the prior year.
696 (13) TAXES AND OTHER PAYMENTS.—
697 (d)1. Each jai alai permitholder that conducts live
698 performances and operates a cardroom facility shall use at least
699 4 percent of such permitholder's cardroom monthly gross receipts
700 to supplement jai alai prize money during the permitholder's
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701 next ensuing pari-mutuel meet.
702 2. Each thoroughbred permitholder or harness horse racing
703 permitholder that conducts live performances and operates a
704 cardroom facility shall use at least 50 percent of such
705 permitholder's cardroom monthly net proceeds as follows: 47
706 percent to supplement purses and 3 percent to supplement
707 breeders' awards during the permitholder's next ensuing racing
708 meet.
709 2.3. No cardroom license or renewal thereof shall be
710 issued to an applicant holding a permit under chapter 550 to
711 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of quarter horse racing and
712 conducting live performances unless the applicant has on file
713 with the commission a binding written agreement between the
714 applicant and the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association or
715 the association representing a majority of the horse owners and
716 trainers at the applicant's eligible facility, governing the
717 payment of purses on live quarter horse races conducted at the
718 licensee's pari-mutuel facility. The agreement governing purses
719 may direct the payment of such purses from revenues generated by
720 any wagering or gaming the applicant is authorized to conduct
721 under Florida law. All purses shall be subject to the terms of
722 chapter 550.
723 Section 11. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
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