2004 House Bill 5881

Streamline state permit and license processing

Introduced in the House

May 12, 2004

Introduced by Rep. Larry Julian (R-85)

To require that the various horse racing track licenses and permits required under state law be either granted or denied within six months of a person filing an application. The state would have to notify an applicant within 10 days if an application requires additional information or is not “administratively complete.” If the deadline is not met, the application fee would be waived, and the applicant would be granted a 15-percent discount on fees required in the following year. The bill is part of a permit streamlining package comprised of House Bills 5876 to 5904.

Referred to the Committee on Commerce

May 13, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

May 26, 2004

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 24, 2004

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that decreases the period allowed for processing a license to 90 days, and increases the period allowed for determining that an application is “administratively complete” from 10 days to 30 days.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Larry Julian (R-85)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that decreases the period allowed for processing a license to 90 days, increases the period allowed for determining that an application is “administratively complete” from 10 days to 30 days, and makes changes to other parts of the horse racing regulation law related to prizes and track operations. This version was subsequently superceded by the Koetje substitute, which makes a more substantive change to the law.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. James Koetje (R-86)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that repeals the law against a single entity owning more than one horse racing track. This would allow the owner of the Great Lakes Downs track in Muskegon to build a new track near Romulus in Wayne County. See House Bills 4609 and 4610, which would authorize slot machines at Michigan racetracks ("racinos").

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Andy Meisner (D-27)

To prohibit the state racing commissioner from issuing a new track license if it would result in "harmful competition" among existing racetracks.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 87 to 16 (details)

To repeal the law against a single entity owning more than one horse racing track. This would allow the owner of the Great Lakes Downs track in Muskegon to build a new track near Romulus in Wayne County. See House Bills 4609 and 4610, which would authorize slot machines at Michigan racetracks ("racinos"). Also, to require that the various horse racing track licenses and permits required under state law be either granted or denied within 90 days of a person filing an application. The state would have to notify an applicant within 30 days if an application is not “administratively complete”.

Received in the Senate

June 29, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Regulatory Reform