House bill goal to reinvigorate local horse race meets

DAYTON–A bill working its way through committee in the Washington House of Representatives, if signed into law, could provide funds to bring back horse racing to Dayton, Waitsburg, Walla Walla and Kennewick's Sundowns, members of Dayton Days, Inc. heard at the organization's Monday, January 17 meeting.

House Bill 1928, sponsored by Rep. Joe Schmick (R-9-Colfax), would allocate $6 million in sales tax on equine-related products such as horses, feed, equine medications, tack, bedding and grooming supplies, and other taxable sales directly related to equine ownership, riding or boarding, to the Washington State Horse Racing Commission (WSHRC). It would not be a new tax but an allocation of sales tax already collected.

The bill was read on January 12 for the first time and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Doug Moore, executive director of the WSHRC, estimates that around $600,000 would be set aside for non-profit tracks in Dayton, Waitsburg, Walla Walla and Kennewick's Sundowns race track. Depending upon the number of days that would be granted to each of the race meets, Moore said, about $55,000 per day of racing could be available to the state's Class C tracks. Expenses such as insurance, purses and other costs could be funded.

Horse racing wouldn't be the only benefactor, Moore says. There would be approx. $900,000 available for grants to other equine activities through 4-H, FFA, ag fairs, rodeos, equine therapy programs and other related purposes, Moore said. A committee of the WSHRC would administer the grant program.

Out of the $6 million allocation, 7.5% would be set aside for WSHRC administration, and another 7.5% would go to the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders.

After funding is set aside for WSHRC administration, breeders, ag- and equine-related programs and non-profit tracks, 75% of the remainder would be allocated toward purses at Emerald Downs, and 25% to equine health and safety programs, research, and facility improvements and maintenance.

The concept for the bill came out of Texas, where a similar law was passed in about 2019, Moore said.

The impact in Texas has been remarkable. In 2019, there were 60 yearlings in the Texas-bred sale and two years later, that number had trebled to 180.

"It's not just a race track issue," Moore said, "it's an ag issue. [If it passes] there will be a ripple effect across the state."

"House Bill 1928 will repurpose a portion of the sales tax collected on the sale of certain horse-related items," Representative Schmick commented. "This will allow the Washington Horse Racing Commission to ensure the safety of both horses and riders, along with proper regulations for the horse racing industry.  This is a good opportunity for Class C Horse Racing to be re-established in Washington state."

Moore anticipates criticism of the bill due to the Muckleshoot Tribe's ownership of Emerald Downs, Washington's only Class A track. "This is not the Muckleshoots asking for money," Moore said. "This is not increasing the profit margin of the Muckleshoot Tribe, this money is going back into the industry."

The Columbia County Commissioners on Tuesday signed a letter in support of HB 1928. "This is of particular interest here in Columbia County as our annual Memorial Day Weekend racehorse meet, Dayton Days, was forced to end a number of years ago due, in no small part, to the skyrocketing costs of putting on such an event, chief among them liability insurance," the Commissioners wrote.

"Dayton Days is one of Washington's Class C tracks and was held for many decades, the last meet in 2010 not only supported the small-track breeders and trainers, but they, in turn, served as the 'farm teams' for the bigger tracks in the Tri-Cities, Yakima and on west to Emerald Downs.

"More so, however, the Dayton Days Memorial Weekend event was a huge economic driver locally, both to the local tourism economy and even more importantly, as a major thread in the local fabric that makes a small town function," the Commissioners' letter stated. "The large volume of work and cooperation required to pull off such an event provided the satisfaction that comes with the teamwork and camaraderie of accomplishing such a feat."

Joining Schmick in sponsorship were representatives Drew Stokesbary (R-31-Auburn), Robert J. Sutherland (R-39-Granite Falls), Emily Wicks (D-38-Everett) and Tom Dent (R-13-Moses Lake).

In other Dayton Days news, the group set May 27-28 as its dates for the 2022 Jackpot Rodeo.

The Royalty Committee will be publiscizing tryouts for the 2022 Dayton Days Court in the near future.