Horse racing bill passes

Senators narrowly passed a bill May 18 that clarifies the terms of members of the State Racing Commission and attempts to assist Lincoln’s horse racing industry.

Introduced by Wilber Sen. Russ Karpisek to harmonize the terms of two new State Racing Commission members, LB256 includes provisions of LB299, also introduced by Karpisek.

The bill allows a racetrack licensee to contract with another licensee to conduct all but one day of live race meetings on its behalf, and allows a racetrack licensee in a county with a city of the primary class to contract with another licensee to conduct all live race meetings on its behalf.

Lincoln is the state’s only primary class city.

LB256 passed on a 26-17 vote.