[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6348070,"mediaKeyId","2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef","parentId",2243304,"title","Bill would create equine-industry account, tax credit to offset federal HISA fees, lawmakers hear testimony","audioSeconds",525,"startMs",4800000,"endMs",5325000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef&start=4800&end=5325","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef/thumbnail_4800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348070/Washington/Bill-would-create-equine-industry-account-tax-credit-to-offset-federal-HISA-fees-lawmakers-hear-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348070-04ed094dbe6a27e68df0aafd459cf57e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180671&Signature=nHZY~BlGv0x0PFOGsP3l~ZDo3FHxDqYTmeOcTNoyLXAr05bfaH10vyAvm7GLEIkFOkxgOJgMpZ6fBGF219F9yAUj7cuoRV0dGBPVSzLubjaXUjdB7RDyI4pcQisqAaXRA7ogWakHRCHOKw2d-4kkRCH~ajhkconJ6bAGw7LFQG89KjooPMzGsLuJyhAadEmIRcA5MDA3g9uG04ZXunB-3oZNFWpuwDqiRk6b424hGwJ0YIenMW5xocpdRSarISx05Sa3oJq~tIQg32dxpbhS6mNyz5Llncf9H~-efV0rnajC4-AYvpkg5ujSStLND44Y6Rn4JJ6BNUU-pNWcf44f-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 5,610 would create a Washington Equine Industry Federal Regulatory Account to help the state’s horse-racing industry pay federal fees under the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and would establish a tax credit to offset payments to HISA or the Washington Horse Racing Commission. The account would be funded by sales and use tax receipts on a defined set of equine-related goods and services, subject to an annual transfer cap of $1.5 million (adjustable for inflation and federal fee levels).

Senator Claudia Kauffman, sponsor of SB 5,610, said the bill aims to provide targeted relief for a sector that contributes to local economies and faces rising federal compliance costs. \"This bill will provide targeted relief and sustainable funding by establishing a tax credit to offset fees paid to the federal HISA or the Washington Horse Racing Commission,\" Kauffman said.

Committee staff summarized the bill: the Department of Revenue would transfer up to $1.5 million annually beginning July 1, 2026, into the new account; qualifying sales and use taxes include equine sales, feed, tack, bedding, prescriptions and other taxable sales directly related to equine ownership and riding. The commission would provide verification to the Department of Revenue for tax-credit claims; a tax-credit claim would not require an application but would require filing returns and forms.

Emerald Downs officials, trainers and stable workers testified in support. Phil Ziegler, president of Emerald Downs, described the federal HISA fee assessment that could raise Washington’s assessed costs substantially and said the track and industry lack sufficient revenue to absorb the increase without risking closures or reduced safety investments. \"If a state doesn't pay that money, then the costs get passed along to the industry, to the track, to the owners, to the trainers, to the jockeys,\" Ziegler said.

Amanda Benton of the Horse Racing Commission said the commission expects to vote on the bill at its next meeting and reiterated the commission’s projection of a negative fund balance within 15 months absent supplemental revenues. Witnesses described the industry’s economic footprint, workforce and ancillary businesses that would be affected by track closures.

The hearing was informational. Committee members asked staff clarifying questions about the tax base (the bill references specific equine items) and the cap on transfers to the new fund; no committee vote was taken at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade - 2/6/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","SB 5,610 would create a capped Washington Equine Industry Federal Regulatory account, fund it with equine-related sales taxes up to $1.5 million annually and allow a tax credit to offset federal HISA fees or state commission fees; Emerald Downs and horsemen’s groups urged support citing federal compliance costs.","taxTitle","Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20500,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348074,"Committee hears bill to modernize horse racing law, alter parimutuel thresholds and license rules",571,3722000,4293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef&start=3722&end=4293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef/thumbnail_3722000.jpg","/articles/6348074/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-modernize-horse-racing-law-alter-parimutuel-thresholds-and-license-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348074-e6b6fb0633939d1cb3ccca5847f974da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180671&Signature=gCQJMGJgZmhcifGUWHO9Lsh6Zsm9NNr9XRMKib~bxWPu1NYcMMpPd-obqVsQkysAk5uNZ56gki5KjRRybl2ykrQtfS4LVCJOa5Kg0hGQZbo75NnCvA9gFQVXm9CHXL4zCknIIYNHRsl0~ZCwfdifX~i-mEUWpgd~Jj9nzXGD5gqTjh473E1G1xBF-crYxRl-xFHd3IKnlgStcYg52sAPwjg~vqivUGPc7UBhEJe90uHJFCi1Um4wUeN7hhoEF0yQRtAvUzITATtGYR2b8JnB-Ei8DGvQ6CmfWukdHMbDamfV72Qi-t0kqDDSQDa5vJB67b6DP-7CfdQQZwALhFtnaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 5,563, an agency-request bill from the Washington State Horse Racing Commission, received a public hearing before the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee. The proposal updates numerous statutes governing pari-mutuel wagering, licensing, and commission governance.

Clem McCarthy, committee staff, summarized the bill’s major provisions: it would remove the requirement that one of three commissioners be a racehorse breeder, prevent commission employees from working simultaneously at tracks they oversee, permit out-of-state simulcast wagering on tracks not under the commission’s jurisdiction, and remove the statutory maximum number of live races per day. Parimutuel withholding thresholds would change: the current $50 million gross-receipts threshold would be reduced to $20 million and licensee retained percentages would be standardized at 15 percent; race-day per-race fees would be set at $500 regardless of annual gross receipts. The bill would also expand the commission’s ability to spend for equine industry development, increasing an authorization from $300,000 to $500,000 per fiscal year.

Amanda Benton, executive secretary of the Washington Horse Racing Commission, described the bill as a regulatory \"clean up\" to modernize statutes that have not been substantially updated in 15–20 years. Benton and industry witnesses said declining wagering handle and rising costs have strained the industry and commission budgets.

Senator Joe Fain Stanford (Sen. Stanford) asked about declining handle and the commission’s fiscal outlook, noting the federal Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) assessment has raised concerns. Benton told the committee the commission projects a negative fund balance within 15–18 months without supplemental support; she said adjustments to source market fees provide limited flexibility but are not sufficient to cover potential federal assessments.

Sponsor Senator John Fortunato said the bill is intended to streamline regulatory requirements and lower operating costs to make the industry more viable. Industry witnesses including Emerald Downs executives and representatives of horsemen’s associations described the track’s local economic impact and urged legislative action to avoid closures and preserve jobs.

The hearing was informational and included testimony from Emerald Downs leadership, jockeys, kitchen staff who said the racetrack supports local employment, and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. No committee vote occurred at the hearing.","Senate Bill 5,563 would update multiple RCWs governing horse racing, change parimutuel withholding thresholds, remove a per-day race cap and alter licensing provisions; the Horse Racing Commission and industry representatives said changes reflect modern practices and address financial strains.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348077,"Senate committee hears bill to shorten life insurance suicide exclusion from two years to one",165,2073000,2238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef&start=2073&end=2238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef/thumbnail_2073000.jpg","/articles/6348077/Washington/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-shorten-life-insurance-suicide-exclusion-from-two-years-to-one","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348077-ffe762b1c78caa8e3335e91073f1af1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180671&Signature=jK9dUAxYSybg4-k749QREjGtDBVl1ubAxzm1RU4UTCkXoUVwb6PfhvDm6Qv--rQXFxOp3LE02Sxycpaqt0dDo75FYGdlQeaKbzVUD4LNw-iMXeq2zUQoct3OjTVFDZejniUv0~BJ5wqVgSGOO3SbttemZ~YrzRW4WhywCOgGgqaOPhoZINtONe2tGLqSBtnp4C2N5tA1D87D2iqL70lP6SyPYsqxycQCzRBYUrzLQBkRgoSYXQ~AQFtRJvX8Kqzgt~el6nNnMw00vXBQSCF4by7WqXXYH5niQ908umxglHB0YZ~OUg69Lrh~1DWUf5i6DaOBafZAQ-mC16Rvg4hhfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 5,495, which would reduce the statutory suicide exclusion for individual life insurance policies from two years to one year for policies issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2026, received public hearing testimony before the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee.

Senator Manka Dhingra Saldana (Sen. Saldana), sponsor of SB 5,495, told the committee she proposed the change after work on an agriculture mental-health task force that documented suicide risks in farming communities. She said the bill aims to reduce a perception that families cannot collect life insurance benefits after a suicide, and to encourage people to seek help instead of remaining silent. \"I want people to know that suicide is not a sin...their families should not then have to feel that stigma,\" Saldana said.

Supporters included the Washington Farm Bureau, which noted high farm stress and cited statistics showing farms and farm families face elevated suicide risk. Bree Elzey of the Farm Bureau told the committee that farmers confront high labor costs, loss of farms and other stressors, and that access to life insurance for grieving families can reduce stigma and financial hardship.

The life insurance industry opposed shortening the exclusion. Chris Teft, representing the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), said ACLI supports the existing two-year exclusion and noted 46 states currently use a two-year period; four states have more recently moved to a one-year clause. Teft said ACLI’s concerns include the risk that shortening the exclusion could increase demand for life policies by people contemplating suicide and could unintentionally lead to higher suicide rates. \"We are concerned that the 2 year exclusion does 2 things. It reduces the likelihood that people will buy life insurance coverage with the intent to commit suicide and it helps maintain more affordable premiums for all applicants,\" Teft said.

Testimony was primarily advocacy and informational; committee staff and members discussed possible technical fixes and the potential unintended consequences of changing the statutory waiting period. No committee vote occurred at the hearing. If enacted, the bill would apply to policies issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2026.","Senate Bill 5,495 would reduce the statutory suicide exclusion in individual life policies from two years to one year; sponsor and advocates framed change as reducing stigma and easing access for families, while industry groups warned of public-safety and actuarial consequences.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348079,"Senate committee advances public hearing on bill directing study of credit history and other insurance rating factors",2423,816000,3239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef&start=816&end=3239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef/thumbnail_816000.jpg","/articles/6348079/Washington/Senate-committee-advances-public-hearing-on-bill-directing-study-of-credit-history-and-other-insurance-rating-factors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348079-ebbaf955f596b8b69bcff52aaa76350a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180671&Signature=SgiLkKm3mgIPlklx1SUfG2lP8~2f75b70DxnGnnUTUCNbLLh~j0Q9zc16NjzMmnqRrjGuiReP7rmfMDamgQb0-JkoKR9lBX4GYAo~0IYCvFjoFnaf29b7IvL1JN-vcmgyoRsne8tAL-hhTITPqC9XtsrI32-ivdPNecvlRRYvlbtsWyLByk~2cQQeXWRwFtIyIphs4d76N4Yh13dHYQE1zqegyL8y23g-FFSjXzX5ZSX~dFXBk8yX2ewaVpGud1U61cMFskfuJZw40DMy~fn89SIG9-rjB3LgbX5dwsrP~sBib6W9br62PdvodT6Xyg28YEbUfgyB4Dj7ScgY6xmHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee public hearing examined Senate Bill 5,589, which would require the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) to study insurers’ use of credit history, credit-based insurance scores and other rate factors used in determining personal insurance premiums and eligibility.

Senator Bob Hasegawa, prime sponsor of SB 5,589, told the committee the study is intended to determine whether the use of surrogate factors such as ZIP code, education or credit history produces unjust disparities in insurance pricing. \"We want the information...to be able to ascertain whether or not there is disparities, within the insurance rating systems that are used,\" Hasegawa said.

The bill would require insurers to provide requested information to the OIC, allow OIC to contract with actuaries and consultants, and set report deadlines: a preliminary report by December 31, 2025, and a final report by September 15, 2026. Committee staff noted the bill creates confidentiality protections and a public-records exemption for certain submitted data; fiscal impacts were not available at the hearing.

Representatives of the OIC described the technical scope. Rory Payne Donovan, legislative director for OIC, said the study aims to provide policymakers with Washington-specific data and policy options. David Ford, senior policy advisor for property and casualty at OIC, outlined common rate factors in homeowners and auto insurance and explained that credit-based components can include non-public items such as length of credit or debt level.

Consumer advocates and researchers urged the study. Michael De long of Consumer Federation of America urged passage, citing research that credit-related surcharges can substantially increase premiums and that other socioeconomic factors also shift prices. Charles Bell of Consumer Reports cited studies showing large premium increases for drivers with lower credit scores and recommended the study address data quality and proprietary scoring methods.

Insurer trade groups warned of costs and urged carefully designed study parameters. Brandon Vick of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and Chris Taft of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association said similar research exists nationally and argued the committee should limit the study’s scope, consider an independent third-party researcher, and provide realistic timelines to avoid onerous data calls and compliance costs. Kenton Bridal of the Northwest Insurance Council recommended a transparent stakeholder process to design the study.

Committee members repeatedly asked OIC staff for historical data about a prior emergency rule that limited use of credit in rates. OIC officials said they would follow up with more detailed information; the earlier emergency action prompted public complaints and reports of premium changes when credit-based factors were temporarily removed.

The hearing was informational and included three panels of public testimony. No vote was taken at the committee hearing. If enacted, SB 5,589 would require OIC to collect insurer data, produce the two reports, and propose policy options for the Legislature to consider.","Lawmakers heard extended testimony on SB 5589, which would require the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to study insurers’ use of credit history and other rate factors and produce reports in 2025 and 2026; insurers and consumer groups urged different approaches to study design.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348081,"Nooksack Tribe, Gambling Commission outline proposed amendments to tribal gaming compact",257,84000,341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef&start=84&end=341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243304-f4cdc66ee2091d07eb74cbba73c4d7ef/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6348081/Washington/Nooksack-Tribe-Gambling-Commission-outline-proposed-amendments-to-tribal-gaming-compact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348081-f445a8aabdb8e5d17ad3e1112f9668fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180671&Signature=fHjBPLmZb1hui3BssWVsgy~lXzp~MKsb7FIbFxJ-vzCA36KZZau18B7FY9cp8bDaCn3rM2NVNgiUl1JrLN8xy4jDiNo3GZSH~4cKwL44RbIA4cJWbbRucyaM869P~IVbBBh1JUvwTpPmG2zOJqXFoTBJ7bbRFbKsfGcXYJP80wviV6hbHocaF-EgINjrnLfXlmueFaSUMrTCweG5UeyNnvWlj6a3pt94eEyIf0p6PE7MNsYVUu5SMggkhYQ6jH8UUXsjmJZD-~8v8~OMePqZNV43-yAb1dsJXNBPfH~zREkF-Wweh9W5rVc44xZvN5KC7Ert1o8Xjei42lGMi1EwWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington State Gambling Commission and the Nooksack (Nooksack) Tribal Council presented a proposed amendment to the tribe’s gaming compact during a public hearing of the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee. The tribes and state reached a tentative agreement that will be reviewed by the commission and the governor before final action.

The proposed amendment would add an electronic table-games appendix and a sports-wagering appendix, and would change the tribe’s minimum gambling age from 21 to 18, among other updates. Tina Griffin, director of the Washington State Gambling Commission, said the compact amendment process begins with a tribal request that proceeds to the governor’s office and then to agency negotiations. \"When we reach tentative agreement, as Chair Kauffman indicated, we give notice to the legislative committees and they have 45 days during session to hold public hearings,\" Griffin told the committee.

Rosemary LeClaire, chairwoman of the Nooksack Tribe, described the tribe and its casino operations near the Canadian border in Whatcom County and said gaming revenue funds tribal programs. \"This casino...helps bring revenue for a lot of our programs that we deliver back to our tribal members,\" LeClaire said. LeClaire and commission staff showed slides describing the tribe’s Northwood Casino, its membership in the Treaty of 1855, and the compact updates the tribe is seeking.

Julie Lees, the Gambling Commission’s tribal liaison, told the committee the Nooksack compact was first signed in 1991 and the proposed changes would bring that compact into closer alignment with more recent compacts across the state. \"For electronic table games, they will be the eleventh tribe that will add this to their compact. For sports wagering, they will be the 21st tribe to incorporate these provisions in their compact,\" Lees said.

Senators asked several procedural and policy questions. Senator Bob Hasegawa asked about the legal gambling age; Lees explained that Washington law allows 18-year-old gambling in some contexts and that coordination with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board would determine how the gaming floor is classified. Griffin and Lees told the committee that the Gambling Commission will take public comment and that the commission will vote at its March 13 meeting on whether to forward the amendment to the governor or return it for further negotiation. The commission will accept public comment in person at the March 13 meeting or by email; comments must be received by March 12 for inclusion in the commission’s packet.

The hearing was informational; no formal legislative action was taken at the committee hearing. Committee members closed the public hearing after questions and the commission and tribal representatives remained available for follow-up.

The committee record shows the compact amendment remains subject to the commission’s March 13 vote and possible further negotiation with the tribe and the governor’s office.","The Washington State Gambling Commission and representatives of the Nooksack Tribe presented a proposed amendment that would add electronic table games, sports wagering and change age limits; public comment will be accepted before a commission vote in March.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would create equine-industry account, tax credit to offset federal HISA fees, lawmakers hear testimony

Committee hears bill to modernize horse racing law, alter parimutuel thresholds and license rules

Senate committee hears bill to shorten life insurance suicide exclusion from two years to one

Senate committee advances public hearing on bill directing study of credit history and other insurance rating factors

Nooksack Tribe, Gambling Commission outline proposed amendments to tribal gaming compact