New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S02612

Introduced
1/21/25  
Refer
1/21/25  
Engrossed
6/10/25  
Refer
6/10/25  
Engrossed
6/16/25  
Enrolled
12/8/25  
Chaptered
12/19/25  

Caption

Relates to welfare, medical, and retirement plans provided by a horsemen's organization in the absence of contractual obligations; provides in the absence of a contract between the licensed harness racing corporation or association and the representative horsemen's organization, the state gaming commission shall require such corporation or association to pay to the horsemen's organization an amount determined in accordance with the previously negotiated contract for welfare, medical, or retirement plans, including any associated costs, provided by the horsemen's organization to participants in racing at the licensed harness racing facility; provides the amounts shall be paid monthly from the horsemen's gross purse enhancement amount from video lottery gaming.

Impact

The bill stipulates that in the absence of a contract, the state gaming commission will mandate that licensed harness racing associations withhold a negotiated percentage of unpaid and existing revenue, directing these funds to the appropriate horsemen's organization on a quarterly basis. This provides a framework to secure financial backing for welfare and medical plans for backstretch employees in the harness racing sector, aiming to enhance worker conditions in a highly specialized industry.

Summary

Bill S02612 aims to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and breeding law in New York, specifically addressing the health, welfare, pension, and administrative benefits for harness racing licensees. The bill emphasizes the need for provisions that would take effect in instances where there are no contractual obligations between licensed harness racing corporations and the representative horsemen's organization. The intent is to safeguard financial interests, ensuring that horsemen receive benefits even when traditional agreements are lacking.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding this bill may touch upon the complexities of fund allocation and the potential criticisms regarding its enforcement. Legislators may debate whether the provisions are sufficient in guaranteeing equitable distribution of benefits among workers employed in harness racing, particularly concerning those who are not part of the representative organizations. The validation process for ensuring representation by at least fifty-one percent of owners and trainers may also spark debates about fairness and the accountability of the organizations involved.

Companion Bills

NY A08206

Same As Relates to welfare, medical, and retirement plans provided by a horsemen's organization in the absence of contractual obligations; provides in the absence of a contract between the licensed harness racing corporation or association and the representative horsemen's organization, the state gaming commission shall require such corporation or association to pay to the horsemen's organization an amount determined in accordance with the previously negotiated contract for welfare, medical, or retirement plans, including any associated costs, provided by the horsemen's organization to participants in racing at the licensed harness racing facility; provides the amounts shall be paid monthly from the horsemen's gross purse enhancement amount from video lottery gaming.

Previously Filed As

NY A08206

Relates to welfare, medical, and retirement plans provided by a horsemen's organization in the absence of contractual obligations; provides in the absence of a contract between the licensed harness racing corporation or association and the representative horsemen's organization, the state gaming commission shall require such corporation or association to pay to the horsemen's organization an amount determined in accordance with the previously negotiated contract for welfare, medical, or retirement plans, including any associated costs, provided by the horsemen's organization to participants in racing at the licensed harness racing facility; provides the amounts shall be paid monthly from the horsemen's gross purse enhancement amount from video lottery gaming.

NY A09432

Relates to welfare, medical, and retirement plans provided by a horsemen's organization in the absence of contractual obligations; provides that in the absence of a contract between the licensed harness racing corporation or association and the representative horsemen's organization, the previous contract shall be automatically extended for a one-time period of twelve months commencing from the date that the previously negotiated contract expired.

NY S08787

Relates to welfare, medical, and retirement plans provided by a horsemen's organization in the absence of contractual obligations; provides that in the absence of a contract between the licensed harness racing corporation or association and the representative horsemen's organization, the previous contract shall be automatically extended for a one-time period of twelve months commencing from the date that the previously negotiated contract expired.

NY SB21

Amending the Kansas parimutuel racing act regarding qualifications for an organization license, the definition of horsemen's associations and horsemen's nonprofit organizations and the distribution of certain tax revenues.

NY HB1318

In associations and organizations, further providing for county and regional associations of boroughs.

NY S09855

Relates to requirements associated with contracts between state agencies and not-for-profit organizations including an advance payment of 25% of the total award to cover expenses incurred in the first quarter.

NY A11179

Relates to requirements associated with contracts between state agencies and not-for-profit organizations including an advance payment of 25% of the total award to cover expenses incurred in the first quarter.

NY A06117

Provides that antitrust laws shall not apply to any joint agreement entered into, in consultation with and jointly approved by the state gaming commission and the attorney general, by or among non-profit associations, thoroughbred racing associations or corporations, harness racing associations or corporations, quarter horse racing associations or corporations and regional off-track betting corporations to coordinate the dates and times under which they will conduct programs of racing and offer pari-mutuel wagering; provides that such laws shall not apply to agreements entered into to sell, transfer, assign or purchase the rights to broadcast, simulcast, electronically transmit or offer pari-mutuel wagering on horse races.

NY SB221

To Prohibit Risk-based Provider Organizations From Using Certain Types Of Contracting Practices When Contracting With Providers; To Amend The Medicaid Provider-led Organized Care Act; And To Declare An Emergency.

NY SB3001

Relating to requiring contracts with Medicaid managed care organizations to permit the organizations to offer nutrition counseling and instruction services in lieu of other state Medicaid plan services.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.