Senate Bill S9385A

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Relates to additional qualifications for the board members of regional off-track betting corporations

download bill text pdf

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Racing, Gaming And Wagering Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Mar 26, 2026	print number 9385a
Mar 26, 2026	amend and recommit to racing, gaming and wagering
Mar 06, 2026	referred to racing, gaming and wagering

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2025-S9385 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A10240
Current Committee:: Senate Racing, Gaming And Wagering
Law Section:: Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§502 & 502-a, RWB L; amd Part JJ §2, Chap 56 of 2023

2025-S9385 - Summary

Establishes additional qualifications for the board members of regional off-track betting corporations.

2025-S9385 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9385

SPONSOR: ZELLNER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in
relation to additional qualifications for the board members of regional
off-track betting corporations; and to amend section 2 of part JJ of
chapter 56 of the laws of 2023 amending the racing, pari-mutuel wagering
and breeding law, relating  to the  membership of the board of directors
of the western regional off-track betting corporation, in relation to
the effectiveness thereof

 
PURPOSE OF BILL:

This bill strengthens governance, accountability, and public confidence
in New York's off-track betting corporations (OTBs) by establishing
enhanced eligibility standards for service on the boards of directors of
regional off-track betting corporations. The bill prohibits any prior
board member, officers and employees from being appointed to or appear-
ing before the board for a period of 10 years after the time that the
person has been terminated from the corporation. It also extends the
repeal date for the legislation that establishes separate provisions

pertaining to the Western Regional OTB board of directors an additional
10 years.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Sections 1 and 2 amend sections 502 and 502-a of the racing, pari-mutuel
wagering and breeding law to impose new restrictions governing the
eligibility and conduct of members of the boards of directors of
regional off-track betting corporations. The bill establishes a ten-year
post-service restriction during which time former board members, offi-
cers, and employees may not be appointed to the board, appear before the
corporation, or represent others before the corporation. The bill
requires that any person appointed to serve on the board of directors
receive approval of their gaming license from the New York State Gaming
Commission prior to attending or participating in any board meetings,
including executive sessions.

Section 3 extends the repeal date of section 502-a of the racing, pari-
mutuel wagering and breeding law that establishes separate provisions
pertaining to the Western Regional OTB board of directors an additional
10 years.

Section 4 establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Off-track betting corporations are public benefit corporations entrusted
with substantial financial responsibilities and regulatory authority
within New York's gaming industry. In recent years, concerns have arisen
regarding revolving-door practices, insufficient oversight, and the
potential for undue influence by former board members, officers, and
employees. This bill addresses those concerns by prohibiting former
board members, officers, employees to leverage their prior service to
influence board matters, by preventing reappointment of former board
members, officers, or employees for 10 years, and by ensuring that only
properly licensed individuals may participate in board deliberations.
These reforms promote transparency and integrity in the New York gaming
industry.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2025-S9385 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9385
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 6, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. ZELLNER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Racing, Gaming and  Wager-
   ing
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in
   relation  to  additional  qualifications  for  the  board  members  of
   regional  off-track  betting  corporations;  and to amend section 2 of
   part JJ of chapter 56 of the laws of 2023 amending the  racing,  pari-
   mutuel  wagering and breeding law, relating  to the  membership of the
   board of directors of the western regional  off-track  betting  corpo-
   ration, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 502  of  the  racing,  pari-mutuel
 wagering  and  breeding  law,  as  amended by chapter 710 of the laws of
 1990, is amended to read as follows:
   1. A. A regional off-track betting corporation is  hereby  established
 for  each region, except the New York city region for which the New York
 city off-track betting corporation established pursuant to  and  subject
 to article six of this chapter shall constitute the regional corporation
 and  such  article six shall govern such New York city off-track betting
 corporation. Each regional corporation shall be  a  body  corporate  and
 politic  constituting  a  public  benefit  corporation. Each corporation
 shall be administered by a board of directors consisting of two  members
 from  each  participating  county  containing a city of over one hundred
 fifty thousand in population, according to the last federal census,  and
 one  member  from  each  other participating county. Notwithstanding any
 other provision of law to the contrary, the members shall  be  appointed
 by the county governing body, and may, at the discretion of such govern-
 ing  body  of  counties which have a population of less than two hundred
 thousand, include sitting members of such governing body. A member of  a
 governing  body  who  is appointed a director after July first, nineteen
 hundred ninety shall not be compensated  by  the  regional  corporation;
 provided,  however,  that  the mayor of a city of over one hundred fifty
 thousand that has elected to participate in the management of  a  corpo-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14846-07-6
 S. 9385                             2
 
 ration  pursuant  to  subdivision  two  of  this section shall, with the
 approval of the city's legislative body, appoint one of the  members  to
 which  the  county  containing such city is entitled. In the case of the
 corporation  established  for  the Suffolk region and Nassau region, the
 board of directors of each corporation shall consist  of  three  members
 appointed  by  the  governing  body of each county, not more than two of
 whom shall be members of the same political party. Each  director  shall
 serve  at  the  pleasure of the governing body or mayor appointing [him]
 SUCH DIRECTOR, as the case may be. A [chairman] CHAIR shall  be  elected
 by the members to serve a term of one year.
   B.  NO  PERSON  WHO HAS SERVED AS A MEMBER, OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE
 CORPORATION SHALL WITHIN A PERIOD  OF  TEN  YEARS  AFTER  SUCH  PERSON'S
 TERMINATION  OF SUCH SERVICE OR EMPLOYMENT, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON FOR
 TERMINATION, (I) BE APPOINTED OR QUALIFIED AS A  MEMBER  OF  THE  CORPO-
 RATION;  OR (II) APPEAR, PRACTICE BEFORE, OR COMMUNICATE WITH THE CORPO-
 RATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO PROMOTE  OR  OPPOSE  THE  PASSAGE  OF
 RESOLUTIONS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
   C. NO PERSON WHO IS APPOINTED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 MAY  ATTEND  OR  PARTICIPATE  IN ANY BOARD MEETINGS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE
 SESSIONS, UNTIL  THAT  PERSON'S  APPLICATION  FOR  A  LICENSE  HAS  BEEN
 APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION.
   §  2. Subdivisions 6 and 7 of section 502-a of the racing, pari-mutuel
 wagering and breeding law are renumbered subdivisions 7 and 8 and a  new
 subdivision 6 is added to read as follows:
   6. A. NO PERSON WHO HAS SERVED AS A MEMBER, OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE
 CORPORATION  SHALL  WITHIN  A  PERIOD  OF  TEN YEARS AFTER SUCH PERSON'S
 TERMINATION OF SUCH SERVICE OR EMPLOYMENT, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON  FOR
 TERMINATION,  (I)  BE  APPOINTED  OR QUALIFIED AS A MEMBER OF THE CORPO-
 RATION; OR (II) APPEAR, PRACTICE BEFORE, OR COMMUNICATE WITH THE  CORPO-
 RATION,  DIRECTLY  OR  INDIRECTLY,  TO  PROMOTE OR OPPOSE THE PASSAGE OF
 RESOLUTIONS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
   B. NO PERSON WHO IS APPOINTED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 MAY ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY  BOARD  MEETINGS,  INCLUDING  EXECUTIVE
 SESSIONS,  UNTIL  THAT  PERSON'S  APPLICATION  FOR  A  LICENSE  HAS BEEN
 APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION.
   § 3. Section 2 of part JJ of chapter 56 of the laws of 2023,  amending
 the  racing,  pari-mutuel  wagering  and  breeding  law, relating to the
 membership of the board of directors of the western  regional  off-track
 betting corporation, is amended to read as follows:
   §  2.  This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
 effective immediately, cities and counties may take any action necessary
 to begin the selection and appointment  process  for  new  board  member
 terms pursuant to this act; and provided further, that upon selection of
 new  board  members, cities and counties shall notify the corporation of
 their respective appointments via certified mail; and provided  further,
 that  this act shall expire and be deemed repealed [four] FOURTEEN years
 after such effective date.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately; provided,  however,  that
 the  amendments to section 502-a of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and
 breeding law made by section two of this act shall not affect the repeal
 of such section and shall be deemed repealed therewith.

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A10240
Current Committee:: Senate Racing, Gaming And Wagering
Law Section:: Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§502 & 502-a, RWB L; amd Part JJ §2, Chap 56 of 2023

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes additional qualifications for the board members of regional off-track betting corporations.

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9385A

SPONSOR: ZELLNER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in
relation to additional qualifications for the board members of regional
off-track betting corporations; and to amend section 2 of part JJ of
chapter 56 of the laws of 2023 amending the racing, pari-mutuel wagering
and breeding law, relating  to the  membership of the board of directors
of the western regional off-track betting corporation, in relation to
the effectiveness thereof


 
PURPOSE OF BILL:

This bill strengthens governance, accountability, and public confidence
in New York's off-track betting corporations (OTBs) by establishing
enhanced eligibility standards for service on the boards of directors of
regional off-track betting corporations. The bill prohibits any prior
board member or officers from being appointed to or appearing before the
board for a period of 10 years after the time that the person has been
terminated from the corporation. It also extends the repeal date for the

legislation that establishes separate provisions pertaining to the West-
ern Regional OTB board of directors an additional 10 years.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Sections 1 and 2 amend sections 502 and 502-a of the racing, pari-mutuel
wagering and breeding law to impose new restrictions governing the
eligibility and conduct of members of the boards of directors of
regional off-track betting corporations. The bill establishes a ten-year
post-service restriction during which time former board members and
officers may not be appointed to the board, appear before the corpo-
ration, or represent others before the corporation. The bill requires
that any person appointed to serve on the board of directors receive
approval of their gaming license from the New York State Gaming Commis-
sion prior to attending or participating in any board meetings, includ-
ing executive sessions.

Section 3 extends the repeal date of section 502-a of the racing, pari-
mutuel wagering and breeding law that establishes separate provisions
pertaining to the Western Regional OTB board of directors an additional
10 years.

Section 4 establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Off-track betting corporations are public benefit corporations entrusted
with substantial financial responsibilities and regulatory authority
within New York's gaming industry. In recent years, concerns have arisen
regarding revolving-door practices, insufficient oversight, and the
potential for undue influence by former board members and officers. This
bill addresses those concerns by prohibiting former board members and
officers to leverage their prior service to influence board matters, by
preventing reappointment of former board members or officers for 10
years, and by ensuring that only properly licensed individuals may

participate in board deliberations. These reforms promote transparency
and integrity in the New York gaming industry.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  9385--A
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 6, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. ZELLNER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Racing, Gaming and  Wager-
   ing  --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered  reprinted as
   amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and  breeding  law,  in
   relation  to  additional  qualifications  for  the  board  members  of
   regional off-track betting corporations; and to  amend  section  2  of
   part  JJ  of chapter 56 of the laws of 2023 amending the racing, pari-
   mutuel wagering and breeding law, relating  to the  membership of  the
   board  of  directors  of the western regional off-track betting corpo-
   ration, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Subdivision  1  of section 502 of the racing, pari-mutuel
 wagering and breeding law, as amended by chapter  710  of  the  laws  of
 1990, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  A.  A regional off-track betting corporation is hereby established
 for each region, except the New York city region for which the New  York
 city  off-track  betting corporation established pursuant to and subject
 to article six of this chapter shall constitute the regional corporation
 and such article six shall govern such New York city  off-track  betting
 corporation.  Each  regional  corporation  shall be a body corporate and
 politic constituting a  public  benefit  corporation.  Each  corporation
 shall  be administered by a board of directors consisting of two members
 from each participating county containing a city  of  over  one  hundred
 fifty  thousand in population, according to the last federal census, and
 one member from each other  participating  county.  Notwithstanding  any
 other  provision  of law to the contrary, the members shall be appointed
 by the county governing body, and may, at the discretion of such govern-
 ing body of counties which have a population of less  than  two  hundred
 thousand,  include sitting members of such governing body. A member of a
 governing body who is appointed a director after  July  first,  nineteen
 hundred  ninety  shall  not  be compensated by the regional corporation;
 provided, however, that the mayor of a city of over  one  hundred  fifty
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14846-08-6
 S. 9385--A                          2
 
 thousand  that  has elected to participate in the management of a corpo-
 ration pursuant to subdivision two  of  this  section  shall,  with  the
 approval  of  the city's legislative body, appoint one of the members to
 which  the  county  containing such city is entitled. In the case of the
 corporation established for the Suffolk region and  Nassau  region,  the
 board  of  directors  of each corporation shall consist of three members
 appointed by the governing body of each county, not  more  than  two  of
 whom  shall  be members of the same political party. Each director shall
 serve at the pleasure of the governing body or  mayor  appointing  [him]
 SUCH  DIRECTOR,  as the case may be. A [chairman] CHAIR shall be elected
 by the members to serve a term of one year.
   B. NO PERSON WHO HAS SERVED AS A BOARD MEMBER OR OFFICER OF THE CORPO-
 RATION SHALL WITHIN A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS  AFTER  SUCH  PERSON'S  TERMI-
 NATION OF SUCH SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON FOR TERMINATION, (I) BE
 APPOINTED  OR  QUALIFIED AS A MEMBER OF THE CORPORATION; OR (II) APPEAR,
 PRACTICE BEFORE, OR COMMUNICATE WITH THE CORPORATION, DIRECTLY OR  INDI-
 RECTLY,  TO PROMOTE OR OPPOSE THE PASSAGE OF RESOLUTIONS BY THE BOARD OF
 DIRECTORS.
   C. NO PERSON WHO IS APPOINTED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 MAY ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY  BOARD  MEETINGS,  INCLUDING  EXECUTIVE
 SESSIONS,  UNTIL  THAT  PERSON'S  APPLICATION  FOR  A  LICENSE  HAS BEEN
 APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION.
   § 2. Subdivisions 6 and 7 of section 502-a of the racing,  pari-mutuel
 wagering  and breeding law are renumbered subdivisions 7 and 8 and a new
 subdivision 6 is added to read as follows:
   6. A. NO PERSON WHO HAS SERVED AS A BOARD MEMBER  OR  OFFICER  OF  THE
 CORPORATION  SHALL  WITHIN  A  PERIOD  OF  TEN YEARS AFTER SUCH PERSON'S
 TERMINATION OF SUCH SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON  FOR  TERMINATION,
 (I)  BE  APPOINTED  OR QUALIFIED AS A MEMBER OF THE CORPORATION; OR (II)
 APPEAR, PRACTICE BEFORE, OR COMMUNICATE WITH THE  CORPORATION,  DIRECTLY
 OR  INDIRECTLY,  TO  PROMOTE OR OPPOSE THE PASSAGE OF RESOLUTIONS BY THE
 BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
   B. NO PERSON WHO IS APPOINTED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 MAY ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY  BOARD  MEETINGS,  INCLUDING  EXECUTIVE
 SESSIONS,  UNTIL  THAT  PERSON'S  APPLICATION  FOR  A  LICENSE  HAS BEEN
 APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION.
   § 3. Section 2 of part JJ of chapter 56 of the laws of 2023,  amending
 the  racing,  pari-mutuel  wagering  and  breeding  law, relating to the
 membership of the board of directors of the western  regional  off-track
 betting corporation, is amended to read as follows:
   §  2.  This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
 effective immediately, cities and counties may take any action necessary
 to begin the selection and appointment  process  for  new  board  member
 terms pursuant to this act; and provided further, that upon selection of
 new  board  members, cities and counties shall notify the corporation of
 their respective appointments via certified mail; and provided  further,
 that  this act shall expire and be deemed repealed [four] FOURTEEN years
 after such effective date.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately; provided,  however,  that
 the  amendments to section 502-a of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and
 breeding law made by section two of this act shall not affect the repeal
 of such section and shall be deemed repealed therewith.

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Senate Bill S9385A

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Racing, Gaming And Wagering Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

2025-S9385 - Details

2025-S9385 - Summary

2025-S9385 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9385 - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

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Senate Bill S9385A

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Sponsored By

Jeremy J. Zellner

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Racing, Gaming And Wagering Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

2025-S9385 - Details

2025-S9385 - Summary

2025-S9385 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9385 - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9385A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments