Larkin Bill Brings Uniformity To Off-track Betting Hearings

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today announced that legislation he sponsored to amend the State’s Racing, Pari-mutuel Wagering and Breeding law as it relates to hearings on off-track betting has passed the State Senate.

The bill (S.2634) authorizes the designation of a Board Officer to preside over off-track betting hearings in place of the Chairman or other Board member.

"Currently, the procedures relating to the operations of the state’s OTBs mandate that hearings must be held by the entire Board, but the Board may then designate one or more of its members to conduct the hearing," said Senator Larkin. "There are similar provisions already in law to designate a hearing officer for thoroughbred, harness and quarter horse racing. This bill simply gives uniformity to the Racing Law by establishing the same hearing standards for OTBs as exist for all other hearings conducted by the Racing & Wagering Board."