Kentucky Legislature Introduces Bill To Replace State Horse Racing Commission

The Kentucky Senate's economic development committee has approved a bill to replace the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader. 

Senate Bill 299 would create the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corp., which would govern the state's historical horse racing machines, sports wagering, charitable gaming, and horse racing wagering. 

The new corporation would replace the KHRC and the Department of Charitable Gaming, and would make the regulatory body permanent, preventing it from being dissolved by future governors.

The bill is sponsored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R). Thayer said the existing KHRC members would become the board of the new corporation, with two-year terms, and new members would be appointed by the governor but subject to approval from the Senate.

The House's economic development committee is expected to take up the bill later this week. It was unclear when the bill would come to a vote.

Read more at the Lexington Herald-Leader, and find the full text of the bill here.