_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT Creating a special raffle or lottery game for the benefit of the board of horseracing; allowing the state lottery commission to establish an annual special raffle or lottery; giving the commission authority to transfer proceeds to the board of horseracing; providing rulemaking authority; and AMENDING SECTION 23-4-105, MCA."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Montana millions raffle or lottery game -- proceeds transferred to the board of horseracing -- rulemaking. The commission shall by rule determine a special raffle or lottery game to maximize the net revenue paid to the state special revenue account statutorily appropriated to the Montana board of horseracing account under 23-4-105. The special raffle or lottery game, at a minimum, must pay four $10,000 prizes, three $100,000 prizes, one $250,000 prize, one $1,000,000 prize, and any additional prizes considered suitable. After paying for costs by the commission and prizes, the commission shall transfer all remaining proceeds from the special raffle or lottery game tickets to the special revenue account in 23-4-105 administered by board of horseracing and used to promote live horseracing in this state. The special raffle or lottery game is subject to the provisions of this chapter.

Section 2. Section 23-4-105, MCA, is amended to read:

"23-4-105. Authority of board. (1) The board shall license and regulate racing, match bronc rides, and wild horse rides and review race meets held in this state under this chapter. All percentages withheld from amounts wagered, amounts set aside pursuant to 23-4-202(4)(d), percentages collected pursuant to 23-4-204(3), percentages collected pursuant to 23-4-302(3) and (5)(b), and money collected pursuant to 23-4-304(1)(a) and (1)(b), and money received from the state lottery and sports wagering commission pursuant to [section 1] must be deposited in a state special revenue account and are statutorily appropriated to the board as provided in 17-7-502. The board shall then distribute all funds collected under 23-4-202(4)(d), 23-4-204(3), 23-4-302(3) and (5)(b), and 23-4-304(1)(a) and (1)(b) to live race purses or for other purposes for the good of the existing horseracing industry. If the board decides to authorize new forms of racing, including new forms of simulcast racing, not currently authorized in Montana, the board shall do so after holding public hearings to determine the effects of these forms of racing on the existing saddle racing program in Montana. The board shall consider both the economic and safety impacts on the existing racing and breeding industry.

(2) Funds retained by the board in a state special revenue fund pursuant to 23-4-302(1) and (4) are statutorily appropriated to the board as provided in 17-7-502 for the operation of a simulcast parimutuel network and for other purposes that the board considers appropriate for the good of the existing horseracing industry."

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 23, chapter 7, part 3, and the provisions of Title 23, chapter 7, part 3, apply to [section 1].