N.M. Stat. § 60-1A-8 — NM Code / Chapter 60 / Article 1A / Section 60-1A-8
§ 60-1A-8. Racetrack licenses; applications; specific requirements
Status: in_force

A. It is a violation of the Horse Racing Act for a person to hold a public horse race or a race meet for profit or gain in any manner unless the person has been issued a racetrack license by the commission and has been authorized by the commission to hold the horse race or race meet on specific dates.

B. An application for a racetrack license shall be submitted in writing on forms designated by the commission. An applicant shall affirm that information contained in the application is true and accurate. The application shall be signed by the applicant or the applicant's agent, and the signature shall be notarized.

C. A racetrack license shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year. The commission may renew a racetrack license upon expiration of the term of the license.

D. Renewal applications for racetrack licenses shall be filed no later than June 1 of each year. The race dates for the upcoming year shall be set by the commission after the commission receives all renewal applications.

E. An application shall specify the dates and days of the week of the race meet that the applicant is requesting the commission to approve.

F. An application shall be filed not less than sixty days prior to the first day the proposed horse race or race meet is to be held.

G. The fee for a new racetrack license issued pursuant to this section shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).

H. The commission may schedule a date for a hearing on the application for a new racetrack license to determine the eligibility of the applicant pursuant to the Horse Racing Act or as needed for determining the eligibility for the renewal of a racetrack license. The applicant shall be notified of the hearing at least five days prior to the date of the hearing. The applicant has the right to present testimony in support of the application. Notice shall be mailed to the address of the applicant appearing upon the application for the racetrack license. Notice of the hearing date, time and location shall be postmarked by United States mail five days prior to the date of the hearing. Deposit of the hearing notice in United States mail constitutes notice.

I. If, after a hearing on the application, the commission finds the applicant ineligible pursuant to the provisions of the Horse Racing Act or rules adopted by the board, the racetrack license shall be denied.

J. If there is more than one application for a racetrack license pending at the same time, the commission shall determine the racing days that will be allotted to each successful applicant. Upon renewal, the commission shall determine the racing days that will be allotted to each applicant upon terms and conditions established by the commission.

K. A person shall not have a direct, indirect or beneficial interest of any nature, whether or not financial, administrative, policymaking or supervisory, in more than two horse racetracks in New Mexico. For purposes of this subsection, a person shall not be considered to have a direct, indirect or beneficial interest in a horse racetrack if the person owns or holds less than ten percent of the total authorized, issued and outstanding shares of a corporation that is licensed to conduct a race meet in New Mexico, unless the person has some other direct, indirect or beneficial interest of any nature, whether or not financial, administrative, policymaking or supervisory, in more than two licensed horse racetracks.

L. To determine interest held in a racetrack, to the extent that the interest is based on stock ownership:

(1) stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust shall be considered as being owned proportionately by its shareholders, partners or beneficiaries;

(2) an individual shall be considered as owning the stock, directly or indirectly, if it is held by an immediate family member. For purposes of this paragraph, an “ immediate family member ” includes only the individual's siblings, spouse or children; and

(3) stock constructively owned by a person by reason of the application of Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be considered to be actually owned by the person; and stock shall be constructively owned by an individual by reason of the application of Paragraph (2) of this subsection if the purpose of the constructive ownership is to make a person other than the individual applicant appear as the owner of the stock.

M. A corporation holding a racetrack license shall not issue to a person shares of its stock amounting to ten percent or more of the total authorized, issued and outstanding shares, and a corporation holding a racetrack license shall not issue shares of its stock that would, when combined with that stock transferee's existing shares owned, total more than ten percent of the total authorized, issued and outstanding shares of the corporation, unless:

(1) the corporation gives written notice to the commission at least sixty days before the contemplated stock transfer that the person to whom the stock is being transferred will become an owner of ten percent or more of the total authorized, issued and outstanding shares of the corporation; and

(2) the corporation receives written approval from the commission of the proposed transfer.

N. A determination made by the commission of a matter pursuant to this section shall be final and not subject to appeal.