Delaware General Assembly

CHAPTER 424

FORMERLY

SENATE BILL NO. 338

AS AMENDED BY

SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1

Section 1. Amend Title 29, §4815(b)(3)c. by deleting the existing subparagraph c. in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

“c. Jockey health and other welfare benefits. For video lottery agents which are licensed only to conduct thoroughbred horse racing meetings under Chapter 101 of Title 3 or Chapter 4 of Title 28, such agents annually shall be paid and shall pay the sum of $175,000 plus an additional $175,000 (which shall be subtracted from the amount such agent is paid and shall pay as additional purses under §4815(b)(3)b.1) for a total payment of $350,000 annually, adjusted for inflation by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, which shall be payable to fund a Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund on July 20^th of each year. The Fund shall be used to provide, for jockeys who regularly ride in Delaware, health and other welfare benefits for active, disabled and retired jockeys pursuant to reasonable criteria for benefit eligibility. The Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund shall be administered by a Board, known as the Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Board, comprised of 1 member of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, 1 member from the licensed agent under Chapter 101 of Title 3 or Chapter 4 of Title 28, 1 member of the Delaware Horsemen’s Association, and 1 representative from the organization that represents the majority of the jockeys who are licensed and ride regularly in Delaware, and 2 jockeys who are licensed and ride regularly in Delaware. The Chairman of the Commission shall serve as an ex officio member and vote on matters in the event of a tie vote on any issue. Members shall be appointed by the Commission and shall serve 2-year terms. In addition to providing funding for jockey health and other welfare benefits, the fund may expend reasonable expenses for administrative purposes.”

Section 2. Amend Title 3, Chapter 101 by enacting a new Section 10171 to provide as follows:

Ҥ10171. Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund.

(a)(1) A special fund of the State is hereby established to be known as the ‘Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund.’ Funds reserved for the Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund pursuant to §4815(b)(3)c. of Title 29 shall be transferred to the Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund which will be maintained in an account established in the Department of Agriculture.

(2) Moneys from the Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund shall be expended in accordance with the provisions of §4815(b)(3)c. of Title 29 and pursuant to regulations and reasonable criteria for benefit eligibility promulgated by the Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund Board.

(3) The Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund shall be invested by the State Treasurer consistent with the investment policies established by the Cash Management Policy Board. All income earned shall be reinvested in the Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund.”