Bill
HB 2963
Arizona HB2963 imposes a 0.5% regulatory assessment on pari-mutuel wagering for 2025-26 and allows gate approval for tested horses, with sunset in 2026.
Note: The supplied document appears to combine two distinct bills both labeled “HB 2963” from different states (an Arizona amusements/gaming measure and an Illinois transportation bill). Below are concise summaries of each part, followed by combined procedural/timeline notes and a verification recommendation.
Purpose
- Short-term regulatory changes for commercial horse racing in FY2025–2026.
Key provisions
- Regulatory assessment: For fiscal year 2025–2026 the Arizona Department of Gaming must establish and collect a regulatory assessment equal to 0.5% of amounts wagered. This assessment is payable by commercial racing permit holders and is taken from amounts deducted from pari‑mutuel pools (in addition to existing authorized deductions under ARS §5‑111(B)).
- Gate approval for tested horses: For race meetings in 2025 and 2026 the Department may allow “gate approval” (i.e., approving horses to race) for all tested horses within 60 days of the race in which the horse is entered. The Department must amend its administrative code to allow this.
- Sunset: The gate‑approval provision is repealed effective December 31, 2026.
Who is affected
- Commercial racing permittees (racetracks/permit holders), horse owners/trainers, bettors, and the Department of Gaming.
Potential impact
- Small new revenue stream via the 0.5% levy on pari‑mutuel wagering in FY2026.
- Administrative change that could affect horse testing timelines and entry decisions for 2025–26.
Purpose
- Establish and test a mileage‑based road usage charge as a possible replacement/alternative to motor fuel taxes; and make structural/financial changes to regional transit governance.
Key provisions — Road Usage Charge Pilot
- Creates a Road Usage Charge Advisory Committee (10 members: DOT, CMAP, legislative and gubernatorial appointees) to guide development and evaluation.
- Requires the Illinois Department of Transportation (with Secretary of State) to implement a statewide pilot by January 1, 2026.
- Pilot requirements: at least 1,000 motor vehicles; test multiple data collection methods (including at least one that does not rely on electronic location data); assess reliability, cost, privacy, enforcement, equity, and varied pricing by time/highway type.
- Voluntary participation only; pilot must last at least one year.
- Compensation: rules to ensure participants do not pay more in fees/taxes than if they had not participated (e.g., refunds of motor fuel taxes or other compensation).
- Reporting: DOT and the Committee must submit a report within 18 months after pilot implementation covering feasibility, costs, privacy, technology, security/compliance, fraud risk, and recommended legislation.
Key provisions — Transit authorities
- Metropolitan Transit Authority (Chicago Transit Board) increased from 7 to 8 members effective Feb 1, 2026.
- Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) fiscal constraints: Annual Budget and 2‑Year Financial Plan must show aggregate projected fare revenues equal at least 25% of aggregate transit costs for FY2026–27, and at least 15% for FY2028–29 and thereafter.
- Beginning July 1, 2026, the RTA would become the sole agency responsible for management and oversight of fare collection systems across Service Boards.
- Numerous governance and voting‑threshold changes to Service Boards (Suburban Bus, Commuter Rail) and RTA decision rules (bonds, budgets, labor, planning, rate protection contracts, etc.).
Who is affected
- Illinois motorists (especially those invited to pilot), state DOT/Secretary of State, regional transit agencies (CTA, Pace, Metra, RTA), riders, local governments, and vendors of telematics/fare systems.
Potential impact
- Pilot could inform a future mileage‑based revenue system that shifts how road users are charged, with long‑term implications for revenue predictability as vehicles electrify.
- Transit governance and fare‑revenue mandates could alter agency finances, fare policy coordination, and centralized fare system procurement/operations under the RTA.
Because the source document combines separate state bills and contains conflicting procedural entries, verify the authoritative bill text and legislative history on the official state legislature websites:
- Arizona Legislature for the amusements/gaming provisions (search “HB 2963” FY2025 Arizona).
- Illinois General Assembly for the Illinois Road Usage Charge Act / Metro & Regional Transit Authority amendments (HB2963, 2025 session).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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