There could be a seismic shift in the way gambling and horse racing is soon regulated in Kentucky.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer and Speaker of the House David Osborne testified before a joint committee on Senate Bill 299 today.

If passed, it would create the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation and the new independent regulatory body would replace both the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the Department of Charitable Gaming, which are both currently under the public Protection Cabinet.

The bill avoids the need for an amendment pushed by leader Thayer earlier this month that would have attached the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to the Department of Agriculture.

Senator Thayer said current members of the Horse Racing Commission wouldn't be moved to the new agency.

Going forward, the governor would be still able to appoint members.

But speaking to the joint committee today, Senator Thayer said future members would need Senate confirmation.

That that step that the Racing Commission doesn't have right now is important because Senate confirmation requires a higher degree of scrutiny than boards that are not confirmed by the Senate.

We do a complete state police background check.

The conferees are required to come before a Senate committee where members of the committee review their entire application.

If they indeed pass that state police background check.

Members of the committee can then ask questions of the of the conferees.

It is a higher level of scrutiny that I think it's time the racing Commission has because of the the amount of money going through that agency.

Several lawmakers had questions about the proposal.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Reggie Thomas, who's actually not the floor leader, suggested the 281 page bill was too complex to be rushed through in the final days of the legislative process.

Still, he voted in favor of the bill, saying he agreed that the change was needed.

The new corporation would also regulate charitable gaming.

Although Speaker Osborne said he didn't anticipate the change would impact how charities operate.

After today's discussion, a Senate committee approved the measure and then it was fast tracked to the full Senate where it was approved, and now it goes on to the House.