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West VirginiaSB 10602026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Providing WV certified thoroughbred eligibility and increase restricted race caps

Sponsored By: Jason Barrett (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§19-23-3§19-23-12c§19-23-13B§29-22A-10§29-22A-10b

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

New rules for West Virginia restricted races

Beginning May 1, 2026, West Virginia certified thoroughbreds can enter restricted races for purse money only. Accredited West Virginia thoroughbreds keep priority if a race is oversubscribed. The law defines a "West Virginia certified thoroughbred" as registered and living six straight months in the state before age three (30‑day grace for sales or vet care). Certified horses cannot run in Accredited Stakes or the Breeders Classics and cannot get money from the Thoroughbred Fund. Starting July 1, 2026, accredited horses can get an extra purse percentage if the track and the owners/trainers’ group sign a written deal. Tracks must schedule restricted races in the first nine races and, when enough horses and funds exist, run one per day (or three per day for tracks that met the 1992 test; one may be split). Restricted races are paid from the general purse fund and the Accredited Race Fund; certain pre‑1992 non‑participant tracks are capped at $2,000,000 a year from general purse money for these races.

Payouts from the Thoroughbred Development Fund

Each year the Fund pays 60% to breeders and raisers, 15% to accredited sire owners, and 25% to accredited owners as purse supplements. Bonuses count only on the first $100,000 of a purse, with caps so no payment exceeds the horse’s West Virginia earnings and no sire owner or owner gets more than 35% of accredited earnings. The Racing Commission keeps a separate account for each track and gives written deposit notices; some older non‑participant tracks have transition deposit rules. Also, 4.5% of annual deposits go to an Administration and Promotion Account, capped at $305,000 a year, with spending through the budget process and annual reporting.

Rules for simulcast fees and purses

Licensed tracks can send race broadcasts to legal betting operators outside West Virginia with Racing Commission approval and in line with federal law. From each signal transmission fee, 1% goes to an employee pension plan; some thoroughbred tracks must also send 7.5% to the Thoroughbred Development Fund. After those amounts and direct signal costs, tracks must put 50% of what remains into the purse fund. By agreement with the owners/trainers’ group, those purse funds can also support simulcast‑related capital improvements.

New 1.5% for greyhound breeding fund

Beginning July 1, 2026, licensed greyhound tracks must send 1.5% of their net terminal income to the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund. This lowers track receipts by 1.5% and increases money available for greyhound breeding.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jason Barrett

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 99 • No: 30

House vote • 3/9/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 371)

Yes: 75 • No: 21

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 353)

Yes: 24 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026Senate

  2. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  3. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  4. To Governor 3/11/2026

    3/11/2026Senate

  5. House Message received

    3/10/2026Senate

  6. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/9/2026House

  7. Read 3rd time

    3/9/2026House

  8. Passed House (Roll No. 371)

    3/9/2026House

  9. Communicated to Senate

    3/9/2026House

  10. Completed legislative action

    3/9/2026House

  11. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/6/2026House

  12. Read 2nd time

    3/6/2026House

  13. House received Senate message

    3/5/2026House

  14. Introduced in House

    3/5/2026House

  15. Reference dispensed

    3/5/2026House

  16. Immediate consideration

    3/5/2026House

  17. Read 1st time

    3/5/2026House

  18. On 3rd reading

    3/4/2026Senate

  19. Read 3rd time

    3/4/2026Senate

  20. Passed Senate (Roll No. 353)

    3/4/2026Senate

  21. Ordered to House

    3/4/2026Senate

  22. On 2nd reading

    3/3/2026Senate

  23. Read 2nd time

    3/3/2026Senate

  24. On 1st reading

    3/2/2026Senate

  25. Read 1st time

    3/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

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