(Austin, Texas - March 11, 2017) - The Texas Horsemen’s Partnership is excited to report that five bills have been filed with the Texas Legislature this week that could benefit of the Texas racing industry.

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R) filed three bills in the Senate:

• SB #1971 (Co-authored by Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R)) - Would create a purse matching fund from the state’s general revenue fund that is expected to increase purses by $25 million. Committee substitute language is expected to clarify specifics.
• SB #1972 - Would shift Accredited Texas-Bred funds from the Texas Racing Commission’s budget and establish an escrow account for the money.
• SB #1973 - Would utilize existing state tax revenue on simulcast wagers that currently goes to the Texas general revenue fund in order to help pay the costs of operating the Texas Racing Commission. Presently, all of the costs of operating the Commission are borne by the racing industry through track and occupational license fees.

Rep. John Kuempel (R) of Seguin filed two bills in the House of Representatives. Kuempel, Chairman of the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee, is a longtime friend of the Texas racing industry, and his continued support is greatly appreciated. The House bills are:

• HB # 3925 - Would legalize account wagering on Texas racing and create mechanisms for the Texas Racing Commission to license and regulate account wagering operators.
• HB # 3926 - Would authorize purpose-driven pari-mutuel wagering at the 10 Texas facilities currently licensed to conduct live or simulcast racing. Purpose-driven pari-mutuel wagering would provide funding for enhanced bulletproof vests and body armor for all peace officers in Texas, funding to increase death benefits for the spouses and families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, and donor-directed funding for 501(c)(3) charitable organizations operating in Texas. It would also increase purse money available for racing in Texas.

The first step for each of the bills would be to obtain a committee hearing by the appropriate committee of the Senate or House of Representatives. At each hearing, the committee in question will decide whether or not to forward that bill on to be heard and debated on the floor of the Senate or House, respectively. During this period, the committee can also substitute new bill language, which is likely to happen with some of these bills to clarify certain points.

Once a bill has been forwarded on to the House or Senate, each chamber has different rules as to how it advances for approval or fails. Bills can also be amended with changes during this process.

Any Senate bills that receive Senate approval would then be sent to the House of Representatives seeking approval. Any House bills that receive House approval would then be sent to the Senate seeking approval. If there are any differences between the versions passed in the Senate and the House, they must be reconciled before the bill is enrolled and signed by the Lt. Governor in the presence of the Senate and the Speaker of the House in the presence of the House of Representatives. The successful bills are then sent to the Governor to sign, not sign, or veto. A Governor’s veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Senate and House. A bill that is not signed by the Governor but is not vetoed eventually automatically becomes law.

It can be a long and arduous process to get a bill passed by the Texas Legislative. However, this is the first time in many years that so many beneficial bills have been filed on behalf of the Texas racing industry. We have every reason to hope some or all of the bills will be successful if we all work together. And that means we will be periodically asking for your help - starting today.

Please take a few minutes to write a letter or email to Sen. Lois Kolkhorst thanking her for filing SBs 1971, 1972 and 1973 and for her interest in and support for the future of the Texas Racing industry. Her contact information is below:

The Honorable Lois Kolkhorst
P. O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711

To email Sen. Kolkhorst, use the form here:

Please also write a letter or email to Sen. Dawn Buckingham thanking her for co-authoring SB 1971 and for her interest in and support for the future of the Texas Racing industry. Her contact information is below:

The Honorable Dawn Buckingham
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711

To email Dr. Buckingham, use the form here:

Finally, please also write a letter or email to Rep. John Kuempel thanking him for filing HBs 3925 and 3926 and for his longtime and continued support for the Texas racing industry. His contact information is below:

Rep. John Kuempel
Room E2.422
P. O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768

To email him, use the form here:

It is important for our industry to let Sen. Kolkhorst, Sen. Buckingham, and Rep. Kuempel know how much we appreciate their support of a better future for the Texas racing industry.