DOG RACE WAGER PROHIBITIONS S.B. 626 (S-5): COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 626 (Substitute S-5)
Sponsor: Senator Alan L. Cropsey
Committee: Commerce and Tourism
Date Completed: 2-5-08
CONTENT
The bill would create a new act to prohibit a person from doing either of the following for the purpose of wagering or gambling:
-- Holding, conducting, or operating a dog race.
-- Transmitting or receiving an interstate simulcast of a dog race.
"Wagering or gambling" would not include the payment of a purse, prize, or entry fee to the owner, manager, or trainer of a dog in connection with a race in which the dog races.
A violation would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days' imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $5,000. The bill specifies that it would not preclude prosecution under the Michigan Penal Code.
"Person" would mean an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity. "Simulcast" would mean the live transmission into Michigan of video or audio signals conveying a dog race held outside of Michigan.
Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on State and local government. There are no data to indicate how many offenders would be convicted of the proposed offense. Local governments would incur the costs of misdemeanor probation and incarceration in local facilities, which vary by county. Additional penal fine revenue would benefit public libraries.
Fiscal Analyst: Lindsay Hollander
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb626/0708