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Bill

A 9575

Requires annual reports to the governor and the legislature by the franchise oversight board

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John McDonald and 1 co-sponsor

Requires the franchise oversight board to file an annual report to the governor and legislature detailing activities, financial performance, compliance, breaches, challenges, and r

REFERRED TO RACING, GAMING AND WAGERING
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Bill Summary · A 9575

Bill Summary – New York A.9575 (2025-2026)

Title

Requires annual reports to the governor and the legislature by the franchise oversight board

Purpose and Intent

This bill amends the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law to mandate that the franchise oversight board file a mandatory annual report with the governor and the New York Legislature. The reports are intended to inform policy and legislative changes necessary to sustain high-quality thoroughbred racing in New York and to protect the state's interests and the thoroughbred racing industry.

Key Provisions

  • Mandatory annual reporting: The franchise oversight board must file a report to the governor and the legislature every year no later than December 31.
  • Content requirements (minimum elements):
    • (A) A summary of the franchise oversight board's activities during the preceding year.
    • (B) An analysis of the franchised corporation’s financial performance and operation of thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the racetracks.
    • (C) Assessment of compliance by the franchised corporation with:
    • the franchise agreement documents, and
    • laws, rules, and regulations governing its activities.
    • (D) Whether the board notified the franchised corporation of any material breach of performance standards.
    • (E) Identification of policy and regulatory challenges facing oversight.
    • (F) Specific legislative and regulatory recommendations.
    • (G) Any other matters deemed relevant to oversight responsibilities by the board.
  • Effective date: The act takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Affected Parties

  • Franchise Oversight Board: Core reporting entity required to prepare and submit the annual report.
  • Franchised Corporation(s) in Thoroughbred Racing: Must be analyzed for financial performance, operations, and compliance within the annual report; the board may identify breaches of performance standards.
  • Governor and New York Legislature: Recipients of the annual report, informed on activities, performance, regulatory challenges, and recommendations.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Reporting deadline: Each year by December 31.
  • Reporting cadence: Annual, with the board’s activities, performance compliance, and policy/regulatory recommendations summarized for the executive and legislative branches.
  • Status: As of the latest action, the bill has passed the Assembly and referred to the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering committee; it is subject to Senate consideration and potential enactment.

Practical Implications

  • Increases transparency of the franchise oversight board’s oversight of the franchised corporation(s) involved in New York thoroughbred racing.
  • Establishes a structured mechanism for evaluating financial performance, regulatory compliance, and performance standards.
  • Encourages proactive policy and legislative recommendations to address challenges in the racing and wagering ecosystem.
  • Creates a formal channel for communicating material breaches or regulatory concerns to both the governor and legislature.

Notable Details

  • The reporting language replaces a previous directive that referenced an initial date of 2008, aligning with current statutory structure by requiring annual reporting rather than “report annually beginning” on a past date.
  • The bill is sponsored by Assembly members Woerner and McDonald, with additional co-sponsorship noted.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current law to highlight every change in wording and its potential legal effect.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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