Bill > A05921

This bill modifies the existing law regarding health insurance for jockeys by establishing a more detailed framework for funding and managing health insurance coverage. Under the proposed changes, a franchised corporation must create a program to purchase health insurance for eligible jockeys, funded by a 1.5% contribution from gross purse enhancement revenue from video lottery gaming. The bill introduces a new provision for a segregated account that can serve as a reserve fund for health insurance premiums. Any unused funding from the annual contribution can be either returned pro-rata to tracks for purse enhancement, deposited into a reserve fund, or distributed through a combination of methods, with the specific distribution to be determined by agreement between the franchised corporation and a jockey's organization representing at least 51% of eligible jockeys. Additionally, the bill allows for the creation of a separate reserve fund for premium payments, with provisions that if this fund is later deemed unnecessary, its remaining funds will be returned pro-rata and used to enhance track purses. The bill aims to provide more flexibility in managing jockey health insurance funding while ensuring transparent and collaborative decision-making between racing corporations and jockey representatives.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5921