HB 5464 — West Virginia First Live Racing Jobs Act of 2026

HB5464 SUB WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION ENGROSSED Committee Substitute for House Bill 5464 By Delegates Funkhouser, McGeehan, Clark, Eldridge, Shamblin, Willis, Ridenour, Ellington, Bridges, Dean, and Phillips [Originating in the Committee on Finance, February 26, 2026] Eng CS for HB 5464 A BILL to amend and reenact §19-23-3 and §19-23-13b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended;

1 Eng CS for HB 5464 (8) "Applicant" means any racing association making application for a license under the 1 CS for HB 5464 provisions of this article or any person making application for a permit under the provisions of this article or any person making application for a construction permit under the provisions of this article;

2 Eng CS for HB 5464 (19) "Pari-mutuel clerk" means any employee of a licensed racing association who is 2 CS for HB 5464 responsible for the collection of wagers, the distribution of moneys for winning pari-mutuel tickets, verification of the validity of pari-mutuel tickets and accounting for pari-mutuel funds;

During the period, the raiser will be granted one month of grace for his or her horse to be shipped to and from thoroughbred sales where the horse is officially entered in the sales catalogue of a recognized 3 Eng CS for HB 5464 thoroughbred sales company.

In the event the yearling was born in another state and transported 3 CS for HB 5464 to this state, this definition does not apply after the December 31, 2007, to any pari-mutuel racing facility located in Jefferson County nor shall it apply after the December 31, 2012, and thereafter to any pari-mutuel racing facility located in Hancock County.

4 Eng CS for HB 5464 §19-23-13b.

4 CS for HB 5464 nonrestricted purse supplements;

Provided further, That the moneys paid into the Thoroughbred Development Fund by a thoroughbred racetrack licensee that did not participate in the Thoroughbred Development Fund Eng CS for HB 5464 for at least four consecutive calendar years prior to December 31, 1992, shall be transferred into CS for HB 5464 that licensee's purse fund until April 1, 2006.

(d) Funds in the Thoroughbred Development Fund or funds in the separate accounts for each association or licensee as provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be expended for 6 Eng CS for HB 5464 awards and purses except as otherwise provided in this section.

Annually, the first $800,000 shall 6 CS for HB 5464 be available for distribution for a minimum of 14 accredited stakes races at a racetrack which has participated in the West Virginia Thoroughbred Development Fund for a period of more than four consecutive calendar years prior to December 31, 1992.

(2) The owner of an accredited West Virginia sire of an accredited thoroughbred horse that earns a purse in any race at a participating West Virginia meet shall receive a bonus award 7 Eng CS for HB 5464 calculated at the end of the year as a percentage of the fund dedicated to sire owners, which shall 7 CS for HB 5464 be 15 percent of the fund available for distribution in any one year.

8 Eng CS for HB 5464 Distribution shall be made on the 15th day of each February for the preceding year's achievements.

8 CS for HB 5464 (f)(1) Each pari-mutuel thoroughbred horse track shall provide at least one restricted race per racing day:

9 Eng CS for HB 5464 (A) Moneys placed in the general purse fund:

Provided, That a thoroughbred horse racetrack which did not participate in the West Virginia Thoroughbred Development fund for a period of more than four consecutive years prior to December 31, 1992, may fund restricted races 9 CS for HB 5464 in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 per year.