CaliforniaHorse racing board may ease audits and add wagering sites
The law gives California’s horse racing board more flexibility over pension-fund audits and requires wagering agreements to name available live in-state races.
What it does
Horsemen’s organizations would still need annual audits of pension funds, but the board could allow exceptions and the audit would no longer have to meet a 90-day deadline. Audits of administrative and welfare funds keep their 90-day deadline.
Applicants for horse-racing meeting licenses would no longer need to submit the separate $10,000 deposit used to secure a license-fee payment.
Agreements for minisatellite wagering sites would have to name the live in-state races available to each site, while associations and fairs could still limit the rest of their racing programs.
Argument forClearer race lists may help wagering sites and customers know which live in-state races they can watch and wager on.
Argument againstAllowing audit exceptions could reduce the regular oversight of pension funds if the board grants those exceptions broadly.
More detail
Horsemen’s organizations must arrange annual audits of pension-fund records, unless the board permits an exception. The rule covers horsemen’s organizations and their subsidiaries, including pension funds received under the listed horse-racing laws. A nationally recognized accounting firm must conduct the audit. The audit must cover the period since the last audit, and a copy must be filed with the board and the Legislature’s Governmental Organization committees. Horsemen’s organizations must pay for the audit. The audit remains annual, but the supplied text does not state a separate effective date for removing the 90-day deadline.
Applicants would no longer have to make the separate $10,000 deposit that secured payment of a horse-racing license fee. The change applies to applications for licenses to conduct recognized horse-racing meetings under the Horse Racing Law. The bill does not remove the separate license fee that applies in place of the deposit requirement. The supplied text does not state a separate effective date for removing the deposit requirement.
An agreement for a minisatellite wagering site must identify the live in-state races that the association or fair will make available. The requirement covers agreements between the racing-program organization, the association or fair, and a minisatellite wagering site. The agreement must be executed and approved by the board before the site can be approved. An association or fair generally cannot be required to provide all or part of its racing program unless the agreement says so. The agreement must also address other available races, fees, and related terms required by law. The requirement applies when the board reviews approval of a minisatellite wagering site; the supplied text does not state a separate effective date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 14Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 197, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 14Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 8Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 28Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6808.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1526 Governmental Organizatio Concurrence in Senate Amendments By RUBIO. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 27In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1526 G.O. (Blanca Rubio) By Rubio. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 19Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 18Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Jun 16Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 15From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.Minor
- Jun 3Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Joint Rule 10.5.Minor
- Jun 3Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 2Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- May 26Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 22Ordered to second reading.Minor
- May 22From inactive file.
- 2025
- Sep 11Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Padilla.
- Jul 10Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jul 10From Consent Calendar.
- Jul 9Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.Minor
- Jul 8From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (July 8).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be ordered to the Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14Referred to Com. on G.O.Minor
- May 1In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1526 Governmental Organization Consent Calendar Second Day. Result: pass.Lower
- May 1Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 1388.)Passed Assembly
- Apr 28Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.Minor
- Apr 24From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 22. Noes 0.) (April 23).Minor
- Apr 23
- Vote recorded Do pass. To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24Referred to Com. on G.O.Minor
- Mar 19From printer. May be heard in committee April 18.
- Mar 18Read first time. To print.Introduced
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