Authority: Title 59.1, Chapter 29, Code of Virginia.
A. Out of this appropriation, the members of the Virginia Racing Commission shall receive compensation and reimbursement for their reasonable expenses in the performance of their duties, as provided in § 2.2-2104, Code of Virginia.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 59.1-392, Code of Virginia, up to $255,000 the first year and $255,000 the second year shall be transferred to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to support the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
C. Any revenues received during the biennium and which are due to the commission pursuant to § 59.1-364 et seq., Code of Virginia, shall be used first to fund the operating expenses of the commission as appropriated in this Item. A year-end fund balance of $900,000 shall be maintained for payment of authorized commission obligations for operating expenses as appropriated under the provisions of this act and amounts payable to specific entities pursuant to § 59.1-392 and appropriated in paragraphs B and D of this Item prior to the reversion of nongeneral fund balances. Any fund balances in this Item at the end of fiscal years 2023 and 2024 in excess of $900,000 shall revert to the general fund.
D. Out of these amounts, the obligations set out in § 59.1-392 D. 5., D.6., G.5., G.6., K.3., K.4., K.5., N.3., N.4., and N.5., Code of Virginia, shall be fully funded.
E. In the event revenues exceed the appropriated amounts in this Item, the Virginia Racing Commission is authorized to seek an administrative appropriation, up to $700,000, from the Director, Department of Planning and Budget, to develop programs or award grants for the promotion and marketing, sustenance and growth of the Virginia horse industry, including horse breeding.
F.1. The Virginia Racing Commission shall report monthly to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees on the gross gaming revenues generated from traditional horse racing wagering and from historical horse racing (HHR) wagering from any significant infrastructure limited licensee facility and each satellite facility licensee authorized for operation in the Commonwealth. This monthly reporting shall include the actual dollar amount of the (i) total prize payout; (ii) total contributions to purses for thoroughbred and harness racing; (iii) amount of state and local taxes collected and remitted by jurisdiction; (iv) amount retained by the Virginia Racing Commission; and (v) amount retained by any licensee or operator.
2. Included within the monthly report required in F.1., from the amounts included in clause (v) of F.1., the Commission shall specifically identify the actual dollar amounts allocated pursuant to a Revenue Sharing Agreement dated April 13, 2018, or any amendments thereto, or for an Amended Memorandum of Understanding dated December 4, 2017, or any amendments thereto, for (i) contributions to the Virginia Equine Alliance and other parties collectively referred to in the Revenue Sharing Agreement as the Horsemen; (ii) all HHR gross commission; (iii) any amounts or rebates from Advanced Deposit Wagering to service providers; (iv) deposits to the Virginia Breeders Fund; (v) deposits to the Virginia-Certified Residency Program; and (vi) any allocation of funds for problem gaming.
3. In addition to the reporting requirements in F.1. and F.2., the Commission shall report quarterly to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees on the actual number of days of live racing conducted across the Commonwealth for the preceding quarter, including all reporting requirements identified in F.1 and F.2 resulting from each day of live racing pursuant to 11 VAC 10-47-190.
G. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the percentage of the pool to be retained by the licensee for distribution as provided in subsection U of § 59.1-392 and subsection 9 of 11VACl0-47-180 shall be distributed as follows: (1) the amount to be distributed to any locality shall remain as provided in subdivision 2 of subsection U of § 59.1-392 and subdivision (b) of subsection 9 of ll VAC l0-47-180; (2) the Virginia Breeders Fund, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine for equine programs, the Virginia Horse Center Foundation and the Virginia Horse Industry Board shall each receive twenty-five one-thousandths percent; and (3) the Commonwealth shall receive the remainder as a license tax.