H. B. 2958

         (By Delegates Doyle, Swartzmiller, Guthrie

and Morgan,)

         [Introduced February 1, 2011; referred to the

         Committee on Government Organization then Finance.]

A BILL to amend and reenact §19-23-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing the West Virginia Racing Commission to use certain permit and registration fees to pay salaries and other budgeted expenses; and clarifying that judges and the Racing Commission may also impose fines.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That §19-23-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 23. HORSE AND DOG RACING.

§19-23-14. Disposition of permit fees, registration fees and fines.

    All permit fees and fees paid for the registration of colors or assumed names collected by the Racing Commission shall be paid by the commission to the State Treasurer for deposit in a special account. The permit fees and registration fees shall be available to the Racing Commission to pay salaries and other budgeted expenses for the commission. and All fines imposed by the stewards, starters or other racing officials judges or the Racing Commission shall be paid into a relief fund and paid out on the order of the Racing Commission for hospitalization, medical care and funeral expenses occasioned by injuries or death resulting from an accident sustained by any permit holder while in the discharge of his or her duties under the jurisdiction of the Racing Commission. No payment shall be made, however, for any hospitalization, medical care or funeral expenses as to any permit holder who is covered under the workers' compensation fund of this state, or any insurance policy providing payments for hospitalization, medical care or funeral expenses. Any balance in said relief fund at any time in excess of five thousand dollars, less any relief obligations then outstanding, shall thereupon be transferred by the Racing Commission to the State Treasurer for deposit to the credit of the General Revenue Fund of this state.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to permit the West Virginia Racing Commission to use fees for the registration of colors or assumed names to pay salaries and other budgeted expenses. The bill also clarifies that judges and the Racing Commission may also impose fines.

    Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.