BILL NUMBER:S7098

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and
breeding law, in relation to stallion eligibility for New York-bred
harness horse events

PURPOSE:

This bill would provide for equivalent treatment for the state's
thoroughbred and standardbred horse breeding programs with respect to
residency requirements.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Sections 1 & 2. Amends subdivisions 1 and 3 of Section 334 of the
Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law to allow foals to be
eligible for the New York Sire Stakes harness racing program, if the
foal was conceived from a mare that was bred in the state, and sired
by a stallion owned, or leased by a resident of New York for at least
one year.

Section 3. Effective date.

EXISTING LAW:

Current law requires a stallion must be leased for at least ten years.
              

JUSTIFICATION:

The state's standardbred breeding laws were put into place almost 50
years ago and for that time, they have served the New York breeding
industry well. However, it is becoming clear that the statute
governing the state's standardbred breeding program needs to be
updated to reflect the current economic climate that exists in New
York for the horse breeding industry. The current laws governing
standardbred stallions standing for stud service in New York State
require the stallions to be owned by or leased by a New York resident
for a minimum of 10 years. In earlier years, most stallions were
solely owned by New York residents and this was not at problem.

Today the Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) revenue attracts top stallions
to New York and the dollar value of many of these stallions goes well
into seven figures. Many of these stallions are syndicated and have
multiple shareholders. The shareholders have control over these
stallions. To require any organization or company that wants to come
into New York to do business to stay a minimum of 10 years is not
conducive to attracting and retaining these entities.

If a stallion cannot get enough mares to breed he becomes a commodity
that needs to be relocated or sold. If a stallion becomes infertile or
is injured he is no longer a viable breeding animal. An owner
shouldn't have to pay to keep a stallion in New York, if they can't
make money and a farm does not want to stand a stallion if they can't
make money.

As a result, a change is needed in ownership and lease requirements
make the standardbred breeding program more responsive to the current


state of the industry. This legislation seeks to change residency
requirements for standardbred stallion from ten years to one year.

This change would make the harness breeding program requirement
identical to what is currently enjoyed by the thoroughbred breeders in
the state.

This change will encourage owners to move their stallions to New York
to compete in one of the most successful breeding programs in the
world.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.