P.L. 1997, CHAPTER 103, approved May 28, 1997

Senate, No. 1250

An Act concerning the membership of the New Jersey Horse Racing Injury Compensation Board and amending P.L.1995, c.329.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. Section 4 of P.L.1995, c.329 (C.34:15-132) is amended to read as follows:

    4. There is hereby established the "New Jersey Horse Racing Injury Compensation Board," which shall be in, but not of, the Department of Law and Public Safety.

    a. The board shall consist of [six] seven members as follows: the Commissioner of Insurance, or his designee; the Attorney General, or his designee; one member of the New Jersey Racing Commission elected by the members of the commission, or his designee; and [three] four members of the horse racing industry appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall represent the thoroughbred industry, one of whom shall represent the standardbred industry [and], one of whom shall represent the racetrack owners and one of whom shall represent jockeys regularly riding at New Jersey racetracks. In making these appointments, the Governor shall take into consideration the recommendations of the thoroughbred and standardbred industries [and], the racetrack owners and the organization which represents the largest number of jockeys regularly riding at New Jersey racetracks, respectively.

    b. Members of the board shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for their expenses out of the administrative funds of the board.

    c. The affirmative vote of at least four members shall constitute a majority for the transaction of any business and a quorum shall consist of a simple majority.

(cf: P.L.1995, c.329, s.4)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill increases the number of members serving on the New Jersey Horse Racing Injury Compensation Board from six to seven. The additional member will be appointed by the Governor and shall represent jockeys regularly riding at New Jersey racetracks. In making the appointment, the Governor shall take into consideration the recommendations of the organization which represents the largest number of New Jersey jockeys (currently the Jockeys' Guild, Inc.). A similar board in New York State includes a jockey representative. In addition, since many jockeys began their careers as apprentices or exercise riders, the member appointed to represent jockeys would be able to understand and express the interests of other track employees.

Increases membership of New Jersey Horse Racing Injury Compensation Board from six to seven by addition of a member who represents New Jersey jockeys.