House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB260 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Amending the Kansas parimutuel racing act regarding qualifications for an organization license, the definition of horsemen's associations and horsemen's nonprofit organizations and the distribution of certain tax revenues.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 13, 2025
Chair opened hearing on SB260.
Mike Heim, Office of the Revisor of Statutes gave a briefing(Attachment1) on SB260 which would amend six sections of the parimutuel law to make it easier for fairs to have horse racing.
Representative Droge testified(Attachment2) on SB260 advising that the amendments codify the horse racing benefit fund. The legislation would return thousands of jobs and millions of dollars to the state of Kansas.
Jason Watkins testified (Attachment3)on behalf of the Golden Circle which will open in Park City, Kansas by end of year. The tax revenue off of wagers comes to Kansas Racing Commission and monies are split into other funds.
Justine Staten, Kansas Horse Council, testified(Attachment4) horses create an economic impact to Kansas for both agriculture and commerce. When one breeder spends over one million dollars in hay and buys feed and fuel, that is pretty significant. Horses also add tourism activity, retail activity, and a healthy lifestyle.
Peach Madl, Kansas Thoroughbred Association, testified(Attachment5) in support of SB260. Kansas has been for cowboys and Indians. The Kansas Thoroughbred Association has run a second generation farm for many years. This farm has bred horses and trained horses for racing. Historically it has taken at least $6,000 in expenses traveling outside the state of Kansas for racing.The money spent in other states has been a revenue loss for Kansas.
Kurt Eck, testified(Attachment6) on behalf of Kansas Quarterhorse Racing Association, Our Board members live in all areas of Kansas and represent Kansans that want to race horses in Kansas.There was an economic study done around eight years ago that the Kansas equine industry is primed to make a comeback and indicated that Kansas is a prime area for horse racing.
Representative Schreiber was asked to come to the podium and speak to the racing business. Horse racers travel across Kansas on the turnpike to go to other race tracks in other states. That makes Kansas a prime location for the racing tract.
The Chair reminded the committee that there are Proponent Written Only testimony for review:
- Katie Larson, Citizen(Attachment7)
- Jeanie Laymon, Citizen(Attachment8)
- Stacy Randle, (Attachment9)Eureka Downs/Greenwood County
- Paul Treadwell, Citizen(Attachment10)
The closed the hearing on SB260.
