SB-1294 • 2026

Horse racing: out-of-state thoroughbred races: Japan Cup.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Rubio
Last action: 2026-04-20
Official status: In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on whether the bill requires consent from horsemen and women's organizations, so this claim was removed.

Horse Racing: Out-of-State Thoroughbred Races: Japan Cup

This law allows thoroughbred racing associations or fairs to show and bet on out-of-state races, specifically those related to the Japan Cup, without counting them towards a daily limit of 75 imported races.

What This Bill Does

Allows thoroughbred racing groups to broadcast and accept bets on out-of-state races during their own race meetings.
Exempts races from the Japan Cup from being counted in the daily limit of 75 imported races.

Who It Names or Affects

Thoroughbred racing associations and fairs
People who bet on horse races

Terms To Know

Japan Cup: A major thoroughbred horse race held in Japan.
Imported races: Horse races from other states or countries that are shown and bet on locally.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how many imported races can be shown beyond the daily limit of 75, except for those related to the Japan Cup.
It is unclear if this law will change betting or viewing habits significantly.

Bill History

2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 14).
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on G.O.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1294, as introduced, Rubio.
Horse racing: out-of-state thoroughbred races: Japan Cup.
Existing law authorizes a thoroughbred racing association or fair to distribute the audiovisual signal and accept wagers on the results of out-of-state thoroughbred races conducted in the United States during the calendar period the association or fair is conducting a race meeting, including days on which there is no live racing being conducted by the association or fair, without the consent of the organization that represents horsemen and horsewomen participating in the race meeting and without regard to the amount of purses. Existing law prohibits the total number of thoroughbred races imported by associations or fairs on a statewide basis under these provisions from exceeding 75 races per day on days when live thoroughbred or fair racing is being conducted in the state, with the exception of prescribed races.
This bill would exempt from the 75
imported race per day limitation, races imported that are part of the race card of the Japan Cup.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF