HB2963

THE CONTEXT: The Arizona Legislature adopts a budget for each fiscal year (FY) that contains general appropriations. Article IV, Section 20, Part 2 of the Constitution of Arizona requires the General Appropriations Act (feed bill) to contain only appropriations for the different state departments, state institutions, public schools and interest on public debt.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would continues for FY 2026, as session law, to set ADG's regulatory assessment to 0.5% of the amounts wagered on live and simulcast races from in-state and out-of-state wagering handled by a commercial racing permittee, authorize ADG, for race meetings in 2025 and 2026, to allow for gate approval of all tested horses within 60 days of the race in which the horse is entered, and includes a requirement for ADG to amend the administrative code to allow for the 60-day gate approval.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make the stated financial responsibility enforceable and keep public reporting on time. It would continues for FY 2026, as session law, to set ADG's regulatory assessment to 0.5% of the amounts wagered on live and simulcast races from in-state and out-of-state wagering handled by a commercial racing permittee, and would also authorize ADG, for race meetings in 2025 and 2026, to allow for gate approval of all tested horses within 60 days of the race in which the horse is entered, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.