NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature. The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.
The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.
Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Room 416 of the State Capitol Building.
| SPONSOR: | Hawkins | DATE TYPED: | 2/10/99 | HB | 472 | ||
| SHORT TITLE: | Gaming Operator's Licenses | SB | |||||
| ANALYST: | Hadwiger | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY99 | FY2000 | FY99 | FY2000 | ||
| $ (560.0) | Rec. | State Fair | |||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
| Subsequent
Years Impact |
Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||
| FY99 | FY2000 | |||
| $ (560.0) | $ (560.0) | Rec. | State Fair | |
| $ (3,800.0) | $ (3,800.0) | Rec | GF | |
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)
Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Gaming Control Board
No comments were received from the State Fair or State Racing Commission.
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Under current statute, any horse racetrack which meets certain qualifications can apply for and receive a license to operate 300 video gaming machines. This bill would amend eligibility provision to exclude from eligibility any licensed racetrack located on state land within a municipality of 200,000 or more persons. Effectively, the bill would prevent the State Fair from operating gaming machines at its racetrack.
Significant Issues
In the past, there have been concerns among some residential neighborhoods near the State Fair that gaming machines would negatively impact the quality of life in the area. The State Fair indicates that it has attempted to address these concerns and believes considerable progress has been made.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
According to the Gaming Control Board (GCB), enactment of this bill would reduce projected general fund revenues by about $3.8 million, based on estimated net take of $15 million.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
If the intent of this bill is to eliminate gaming machines at racetracks on state land within the boundaries of a municipality with a population of more than 200,000 persons, it is not clear why paragraph F of Section 60-2E-27 NMSA 1978 is not deleted which sets the hours of operation for gaming machines at racetracks in this category.
DH/gm