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COMMITTEE ON CULTURE, YOUTH, AGING, SPORTS AND PARKS 08/31/2023-REPORTED OUT TO THE FLOOR 08/25/2023-REPORTED OUT TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIARY BILL NO. 35-0083 Thirty-Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands May 31, 2023 An Act amending title 32 of the Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11, subchapter I, section 201 to establish separate horse racing commissions for each district PROPOSED BY: Senators Samuel Carriόn, Franklin D. Johnson and Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Co-sponsor: Marise C. James Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 1 SECTION 1. Title 32, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11, subchapter I, section 201 is 2 repealed and reenacted with amendments to read as follows: 3 “§ 201 Racing Commissions 4 (a) There is established within the Department of Sports Parks and Recreation, two 5 separate commissions for the regulation of horse racing, one for the island of St. Croix, 6 designated the St. Croix Horse Racing Commission, and one for the Islands of St. Thomas and 7 St. John designated the St. Thomas-St. John Horse Racing Commission. Each commission is 8 composed of six members, one being the Commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks, 9 and Recreation, who shall serve as an ex officio member and the remaining five members shall 10 be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature. A quorum of 11 each commission consists of a majority of members. 12 2 (1) The St. Croix Commission is composed of five residents of the island of St. 1 Croix residing in St. Croix and the St. Thomas-St. John Commission is composed of four 2 residents from St. Thomas, and one resident from St. John. 3 (2) The term of each appointed member is three years; but in the initial 4 appointments, two members of each Commission must be appointed for one year, two 5 members for two years, and one member for three years; Thereafter, all appointments are 6 for three years; but any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration 7 of the predecessor’s term shall serve for the remainder of such term. Each member shall 8 serve until the appointment and qualification of the member’s successor. 9 (3) The members of each Commission annually shall elect one of their members 10 to serve as Chairperson of the respective Commission, but the Commissioner of the 11 Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation shall call the initial meeting for the purpose 12 of organizing the respective Commission. 13 (4) Any member may be removed by the Governor for cause. The Governor shall 14 name a successor within 120 days of the removal. 15 (5) Members of each Commission shall receive $150 for each day or part thereof 16 spent in the work of the Commission. 17 (6) Each Commission has the powers, duties and authority as are prescribed by 18 law. No member of a Commission who has any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in 19 any horse registered for participation in horse races in the Virgin Islands may participate 20 in any meeting, hearing, decision, or determination in relation to: 21 (A) the order of finish of any race; 22 (B) the disqualification of any horse participating in a race; 23 (C) the granting, denial, suspension or revocation of any license; or 24 (D) the imposition of any administrative penalties or sanctions. 25 3 (b) The St. Croix Racing Commission and the St. Thomas-St. John Racing 1 Commission shall meet jointly on a quarterly basis as the Virgin Islands Horse Racing 2 Commission and may meet by electronic means. The Chairperson of the St. Croix Racing 3 Commission shall serve as Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission during 4 even numbered years, and the Chairperson of the St. Thomas-St. John Racing Commission 5 shall serve as Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission during odd- 6 numbered years. A quorum of the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission consists of a 7 majority of members, but at least three members from each district must be included in the 8 quorum. The Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission, a quorum being present, may regulate 9 all matters relating to horse racing.” 10 BILL SUMMARY 11 This bill amends title 32 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11, subchapter I by repealing 12 section 201 and reenacting with changes to establish separate horse racing Commissions for 13 each district. 14 BR23-0071B/March 20, 2023/AA/Revised March 22, 2023/GC/Revised 05/3//23/GC 15