Virginia 2027 Regular Session Status: Passed House Of Delegates

HB 49 — Pari-mutuel wagering; historical horse racing, percentage retained for distribution.

Last action — Continued from last session

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House of Delegates. Introduced December 29, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 34% · moderate confidence

  • Passed House of Delegates

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    1 primary, 4 co-sponsors signed on.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill allocates funds from horse racing wagers to support local agricultural foundations.

This legislation mandates that a small percentage of funds from wagering on historical horse racing be distributed to support the Shenandoah County Agricultural Foundation and the Great Meadow Foundation. This funding is intended to promote horse racing-related activities and safety at these facilities.

What this means for you
  • Families: Families involved in or supporting horse racing may benefit from improved facilities and safety measures funded by this legislation.

Summary

Pari-mutuel wagering; historical horse racing; percentage retained for distribution. Provides that with respect to all authorized historical horse racing terminals, of the amount that a horse racing licensee retains from wagering on historical horse racing pools and in addition to the current distribution required under law, 0.0125 percent each shall be distributed to the Shenandoah County Agricultural Foundation and the Great Meadow Foundation to support the promotion, education, maintenance, and safety of horse racing at such facilities.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

54 added · 49 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended bill HB 49 now specifies that the pari-mutuel pools from live horse racing in Virginia will include both racetracks and satellite facilities, expanding the scope of where these betting activities can contribute to funding. Additionally, the allocation of funds has been adjusted, with set percentages designated for purses, the Virginia Breeders Fund, and local tax revenues, leading to a clearer distribution of wagered money. This change is important because it aims to ensure that funding is more fairly spread among participants, breeders, and local communities, potentially benefiting the state's horse racing industry and local economies.

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+ 2027 SESSION + + HOUSE SUBSTITUTE + + 26106997D HOUSE BILL NO.
OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 + + + + + + + + HOUSE BILL NO.
49 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the House Committee on Appropriations on ________________) (Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Reid) A BILL to amend and reenact § 59.1-392 of the Code of Virginia, relating to pari-mutuel wagering;
49 + + AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE + + (Proposed by the House Committee on Appropriations + on ________________) + + + (Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Reid) + A BILL to amend and reenact § 59.1-392 of the Code of Virginia, relating to pari-mutuel wagering;
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack on live horse racing conducted within the H Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount O approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee U and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 1.25 percent to be distributed as follows:
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 1.25 percent to be distributed as follows:
1.0 perceSt to the Commonwealth as a license tax and 0.25 percent to the locality in which the racetrack is located.
1.0 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax and 0.25 percent to the locality in which the racetrack is located.
The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection D, provided, however, that if the E percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 18 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions D 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 18 percent.
The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection D, provided, however, that if the percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 18 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions D 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 18 percent.
S C.
C.
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at each Virginia satellite facility on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a U percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's B group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 1.25 percent to be distributed as follows:
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at each Virginia satellite facility on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 1.25 percent to be distributed as follows:
The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection D, provided, however, that if the percentage amount I approved by the Commission is other than 18 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions D 1, 2, and 3 T shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 18 percent.
The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection D, provided, however, that if the percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 18 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions D 1, 2, and 3 DRAFT OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 18 percent.
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack and each Virginia satellite facility on liUe horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority T horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid:
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at the racetrack and each Virginia satellite facility on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth, involving win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid:
E :
1.
36 1.
37 2.
2.
Seven and one-half percent and all of the breakage and the proceeds of pari-mutuel tickets unredeemed 38 180 days from the date on which the race was conducted, to the operator;
Seven and one-half percent and all of the breakage and the proceeds of pari-mutuel tickets unredeemed 180 days from the date on which the race was conducted, to the operator;
39 3.
3.
40 4.
4.
2.25 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, and 0.5 percent to the locality in which the H racetrack is located.
2.25 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, and 0.5 percent to the locality in which the racetrack is located.
The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection G, provided, B however, that if the percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 22 percent, the amounts 4 provided in subdivisions G 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage H amount bears to 22 percent.
The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection G, provided, however, that if the percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 22 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions G 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 22 percent.
C F.
F.
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at each Virginia satellite facility on live horse racing 2 conducted within the Commonwealth involving wagering other than win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 2.75 percent to be distributed as follows:
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering at each Virginia satellite facility on live horse racing conducted within the Commonwealth involving wagering other than win, place, and show wagering, the licensee shall retain a percentage amount approved by the Commission as jointly requested by a recognized majority horsemen's group and a licensee and the legitimate breakage, out of which shall be paid 2.75 percent to be distributed as follows:
The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection G, provided, however, that if the HB49HC2 2 of 3 percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 22 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions G 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 22 percent.
The remainder of the retainage shall be paid as provided in subsection G, provided, however, that if the DRAFT OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 percentage amount approved by the Commission is other than 22 percent, the amounts provided in subdivisions G 1, 2, and 3 shall be adjusted by the proportion that the approved percentage amount bears to 22 percent.
0.75 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, 0.25 percent to the locality in which the satellite facility is located, and 0.25 percent to the Virginia locality in which the racetrack is located.
0.75 percent to the Commonwealth as a license tax, 0.25 percent to the locality in which the satellite facility is located, and 0.25 percent to the DRAFT OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 Virginia locality in which the racetrack is located.
O.
DRAFT OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 O.
All payments by the licensee to the Commonwealth or any locality shall be made within five days from of 3 the date on which such wagers are received by the licensee.
All payments by the licensee to the Commonwealth or any locality shall be made within five days from the date on which such wagers are received by the licensee.
this section to the locality in which the satellite facility is located shall be prorated in equal shares amongnder those localities.
Q.
If a satellite facility is located in more than one locality, any amount a licensee is required to pay under this section to the locality in which the satellite facility is located shall be prorated in equal shares among those localities.
The recognized majority horsemen's group racing at a licensed race meeting may, subject to the approval of the Commission, withdraw for administrative costs associated with serving the interests of tHe horsT.
The recognized majority horsemen's group racing at a licensed race meeting may, subject to the approval of the Commission, withdraw for administrative costs associated with serving the interests of the horsemen an amount not to exceed two percent of the amount in the horsemen's account.
T.
O 1.
1.
and S 2.
and 2.
Thirty percent to be deposited in the Racing Benevolence Fund, administered jointly by the licensEe and the recognized majority horsemen's group racing at a licensed race meeting, to be disbursed with the approval of the Commission for gambling addiction and substance abuse counseling, recreational, educU.
Thirty percent to be deposited in the Racing Benevolence Fund, administered jointly by the licensee and the recognized majority horsemen's group racing at a licensed race meeting, to be disbursed with the approval of the Commission for gambling addiction and substance abuse counseling, recreational, educational, or other related programs.
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering on historical horse racing, the licensee shall retain 1.30 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows:
U.
U 1.
On pari-mutuel pools generated by wagering on historical horse racing, the licensee shall retain 1.30 DRAFT OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 percent of such pool to be distributed as follows:
1.
If generated at a satellite facility on and after July 1, 2026, 0.56 percent to the locality in which the satellite faciliTy is located;
If generated at a satellite facility on and after July 1, 2026, 0.56 percent to the locality in which the satellite facility is located;
To the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund established pursuant to § 37.2-314.2, 0.01 I perc3.
To the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund established pursuant to § 37.2-314.2, 0.01 percent;
3.
and U 4.
and 4.
To the (i) Shenandoah County Agricultural Foundation and (ii) Great Meadow Foundation, 0.0125 T percent each to support the promotion, education, maintenance, and safety of horse racing at such facilities;
To the (i) Shenandoah County Agricultural Foundation and (ii) Great Meadow Foundation, 0.0125 percent each to support the promotion, education, maintenance, and safety of horse racing at such facilities;
and E 5.
and 5.
H B H C 2
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Action History

  1. Continued from last session

  2. Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 2-N)

  3. Reported from General Laws and Technology with amendment and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)

  4. Senate committee offered

  5. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

  6. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  7. Read third time and passed House (95-Y 3-N 0-A)

  8. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

  9. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  10. committee substitute agreed to

  11. Read second time

  12. Read first time

  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB49)

  14. Committee substitute printed 26106997D-H1

  15. Reported from Appropriations with substitute (22-Y 0-N)

  16. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 0-N)

  17. House subcommittee offered

  18. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB49)

  19. Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources

  20. Reported from General Laws and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 0-N)

  21. Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (9-Y 0-N)

  22. Assigned HGL sub: ABC/Gaming

  23. Referred to Committee on General Laws

  24. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101947D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 143 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (143)

143 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 143 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 49 do?
Pari-mutuel wagering; historical horse racing; percentage retained for distribution. Provides that with respect to all authorized historical horse racing terminals, of the amount that a horse racing licensee retains from wagering on historical horse racing pools and in addition to the current distribution required under law, 0.0125 percent each shall be distributed to the Shenandoah County Agricultural Foundation and the Great Meadow Foundation to support the promotion, education, maintenance, and safety of horse racing at such facilities.
Who sponsors HB 49?
HB 49 is sponsored by Justin Pence, Michael J. Webert, David A. Reid, John Chilton McAuliff, and Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr..
What is the current status of HB 49?
This bill has passed the House of Delegates. Introduced December 29, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 49?
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