Date: 03/31/2009
Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-174
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES
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12:26 PM -- Senate Bill 09-174
The committee took up SB 09-174 concerning pari-mutuel racing. The committee heard testimony on the bill on Wednesday, March 24.
Representative Casso, prime sponsor, provided a brief introduction to the bill.
The following individuals testified on the bill:
12:28 PM -- Peggy Brumage, a greyhound breeder, testified against the bill. She discussed purse money and how the greyhound racing industry would be affected by the purse structure and discussed HB 09-1199. She responded to questions from the committee about the reason for the decline in the racing industry.
12:45 PM -- Melvin Johnson, representing himself as a greyhound breeder, discussed his history with greyhound racing. He also expressed concern that the issues in the bill were not addressed through the Racing Commission.
12:51 PM -- Dick Figurilli, representing the National Greyhound Association, testified against the bill. He discussed the mission statement of the National Greyhound Association and provided a handout with his testimony and news articles (Attachment C).
12:57 PM -- Gary Bryan, representing the Colorado Greyhound Kennel Association, testified against the bill. He discussed potential amendments to the bill and explained the reasons for the decline in the racing industry. Mr. Bryan also expressed concern that the association was not consulted about this bill.
01:03 PM -- David Lynn Hoffman, chair of the Colorado Racing Commission and a business professor at Metro State College, spoke in favor of the bill and explained the composition of the commission. Mr. Hoffman stated that if bill does not pass that the industry will not survive in Colorado. He discussed some of the business principles as stake. He responded to questions from the committee.
01:15 PM -- Eric Morgan, Executive Director of the Colorado Greyhound Kennel Association, spoke in opposition to the bill. He discussed how the bill takes away any incentives for racing tracks to have live greyhound racing. He indicated his support for Amendment L.009, which had not yet been officially offered.
01:25 PM -- Mark McGregor, representing the Colorado Horse Racing Association, spoke in favor of the bill and provided a handout that included news articles and letters in support of the bill (Attachment D).
01:45 PM -- William Alexander, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill and provided a handout about how the bill would increase state tax revenue and Colorado jobs (Attachment E). Mr. Alexander discussed declining racing trends across the country.
01:51 PM -- Shannon Rushton, representing the Colorado Horse Racing Association, spoke in favor of the bill and discussed his experience in the racing industry. Mr. Rushton also discussed the purse money structure.
01:56 PM -- Carl Brumage, representing the greyhound racing industry, discussed his history in the racing industry.
01:57 PM
Representative Curry closed the testimony phase of the hearing and indicated that the bill would be taken up for action only on April 1 at 1:30 PM.
01:57 PM
The committee adjourned.