§ 23-113-101 - Legislative findings. - Arkansas Statutes

23-113-101. Legislative findings.

(a) It is found and determined by the General Assembly that:

(1) Horse racing and greyhound racing parks in the State of Arkansas promote economic and agribusiness activity in the state and especially in the local communities where the horse racing and greyhound racing parks are located;

(2) Arkansas horse racing and greyhound racing parks also often promote tourism and positive publicity for the state, including recent national publicity surrounding the racehorse "Smarty Jones", the winner of the 2004 Arkansas Derby and the 2004 Kentucky Derby, that went on to be honored as the 2004 best three-year-old thoroughbred horse in the country;

(3) Many states, including Louisiana and Oklahoma, have authorized racetracks to offer wagering on additional forms of electronic games. The State of Texas is considering doing the same;

(4) Many Arkansans travel to adjoining states in order to wager at legal gambling establishments in those states. This adversely impacts Arkansas tourism and results in certain economic activity leaving Arkansas for the benefit of adjoining states;

(5) Economic and agribusiness benefits derived by the State of Arkansas from horse racing and greyhound racing parks in Arkansas, including Arkansas farms and breeding operations, are and will continue to be adversely impacted by these developments in adjoining and other states;

(6) Although Arkansas horse racing and greyhound racing parks presently are allowed to offer wagering on electronic games based on previously run horse and greyhound races, racetracks in adjoining and other states are allowed to offer more types of electronic wagering games; and

(7) These developments place Arkansas horse racing and greyhound racing parks at a competitive disadvantage to their counterparts in other states and especially affect the economies of the local Arkansas communities and related agribusinesses where the horse racing and greyhound racing parks are located in Arkansas.

(b) It is further found and determined by the General Assembly that:

(1) If no effort is made to address these issues:

(A) Arkansans will continue to spend money out of state which might otherwise be spent in Arkansas;

(B) Arkansas horse racing and greyhound racing parks will remain at a competitive disadvantage to their out-of-state counterparts, and this will not only adversely impact horse racing and greyhound racing parks in Arkansas, but also related Arkansas agribusinesses, including farms and breeding operations, and other Arkansas businesses that realize economic benefits from horse racing and greyhound racing activities in Arkansas; and

(C) Jobs at Arkansas horse racing and greyhound racing parks and at related Arkansas agribusinesses, including farms and breeding operations, along with jobs at other Arkansas businesses that realize economic benefits from horse racing and greyhound racing activities in Arkansas, may become in jeopardy; and

(2) If this chapter is enacted and becomes law and local voters in the communities where the horse racing and greyhound racing parks are located approve the wagering on additional games of skill at Arkansas horse racing and greyhound racing parks as provided in this chapter:

(A) Arkansans will spend money in Arkansas which might otherwise have been spent out of state;

(B) Arkansas horse racing and greyhound racing parks will become more competitive, and this will provide economic benefits to related Arkansas agribusinesses, including farms and breeding operations, as well as other related Arkansas businesses; and

(C) Jobs at Arkansas horse racing and greyhound racing parks and at related agribusinesses, along with jobs at other businesses that realize economic benefits from horse racing and greyhound racing activities in Arkansas, will be better protected and more secure, and additional job opportunities may be created.

(c) For the reasons stated in subsections (a) and (b) of this section and other reasons, the General Assembly finds that cities or counties where horse racing or greyhound racing parks are located in Arkansas should have the opportunity to address these issues and promote economic development, tourism, and agribusiness by allowing the voters in those cities or counties to have the opportunity by local election to authorize horse racing or greyhound racing parks in their communities to offer wagering on additional forms of electronic games of skill.