,i  #aaith ,,congress  #ast ,session    
,h4 ,r4 #ccgh  ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of  
,,representatives  ,may #ad1 #bjbe,mr4  
,higgins of ,louisiana 7for himself1    
,mr4 ,davis of ,north ,carolina1 and    
,mr4 ,cole7 introduced the following    
bill2 which was referred to the         
,committee on ,energy and ,commerce  ,a 
,,bill  ,to protect the health and      
welfare of covered horses and improve   
the integrity and safety of horseracing 
by authorizing ,states to enter into an 
interstate compact to develop and       
enforce scientific medication control   
rules and racetrack safety rules that   
are uniform for each equine breed1 and  
for other purposes4  #a4 ,short title2  
table of contents  7a7 ,short title     
,this ,act may be cited as the          
,racehorse ,health and ,safety ,act of  
#bjbe4  7b7 ,table of contents ,the     
table of contents for this ,act is as   
follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table  
of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4,sec4
 #c4 ,repeal of the ,horseracing        

,integrity and ,safety ,act of          
#bjbj4,sec4 #d4 ,authorization to enter 
into interstate compact4,title          
,i--,racehorse ,health and ,safety      
,organization,sec4 #aja4 ,racehorse     
,health and ,safety ,organization4,sec4 
#ajb4 ,role of ,states and ,state racing
 commissions4,sec4 #ajc4 ,exemption from
 the ,federal ,advisory ,committee      
,act4,title ,,ii--,horseracing          
scientific medication control,sec4 #bja4
 ,scientific medication control         
committees4,sec4 #bjb4 ,horseracing     
scientific medication control           
rules4,title ,,iii--,racetrack          
safety,sec4 #cja4 ,definition of        
,committee4,sec4 #cjb4 ,racetrack       
,safety ,committee4,sec4 #cjc4          
,racetrack safety rules4,title          
,,iv--,rule violations,sec4 #dja4       
,prohibited acts4,sec4 #djb4 ,results   
management and disciplinary             
process4,sec4 #djc4 ,administrative     
sanctions4,title ,v--,general           
provisions,sec4 #eja4 ,effective dates4 

#b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7    
,advance deposit wager ,the term advance
 deposit wager means a legal form of    
parimutuel wager in which an individual 
deposits money into an account and such 
funds are used to pay for parimutuel    
wagers made either on-track or          
off-track4  7#b7 ,board ,the term ,board
 means the board of directors of the    
,racehorse ,health and ,safety          
,organization established under section 
#aja4  7#c7 ,breed registry ,the term   
breed registry-- 7,a7 means the         
organization with which an owner or     
breeder officially registers his or her 
horse for horseracing2 and  7,b7        
includes-- 7i7 in the case of           
,thoroughbreds1 the ,jockey ,club2  7ii7
 in the case of ,standardbreds1 the     
,united ,states ,trotting ,association2 
and  7iii7 in the case of ,quarter      
,horses1 the ,american ,quarter ,horse  
,association4  7#d7 ,covered horse ,the 
term covered horse means any            
,thoroughbred1 ,standardbred1 or        

,quarter ,horse during the period-- 7,a7
 beginning on the date of the horse's   
first timed and reported workout at a   
racetrack that participates in covered  
horseraces or at a training facility2   
and  7,b7 ending on the earlier of-- 7i7
 the date on which the horse is         
permanently ineligible to be entered in 
a covered horserace2 or  7ii7 the date  
of the death of the horse4  7#e7        
,covered horserace ,the term covered    
horserace means any horserace involving 
covered horses that has a substantial   
relation to interstate commerce1        
including any horserace that is the     
subject of interstate off-track wagers  
or advance deposit wagers4  7#f7        
,covered person ,the term covered person
 means any trainer1 owner1 breeder1     
jockey1 driver1 racetrack1 veterinarian1
 person 7as defined in section #a1 of   
title #a1 ,united ,states ,code7        
licensed by a ,state racing commission1 
any agent1 assign1 or employee of such a
 person1 and any other horse support    

personnel engaged in the care1 training1
 or racing of covered horses4  7#g7     
,equine industry representative ,the    
term equine industry representative     
means an organization representing the  
interests of1 and whose membership      
consists in whole or in part of1 owners1
 breeders1 trainers1 racetracks1        
veterinarians1 ,state racing            
commissions1 jockeys1 and drivers4  7#h7
 ,immediate family member ,the term     
immediate family member includes a      
spouse1 domestic partner1 mother1       
father1 aunt1 uncle1 sibling1 child1 or 
member of the same household4  7#i7     
,interstate compact ,the term interstate
 compact means the interstate compact   
entered into pursuant to this ,act4     
7#aj7 ,interstate off-track wager ,the  
term interstate off-track wager has the 
meaning given such term in section #c of
 the ,interstate ,horseracing ,act of   
#aigh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cjjb74  7#aa7     
,jockey2 driver ,the terms jockey and   
driver mean an individual who is a rider

 or driver of a covered horse in a      
covered horserace4  7#ab7 ,member ,state
 ,the term member ,state means a ,state 
that is a member of the interstate      
compact4  7#ac7 ,owner2 breeder ,the    
terms owner and breeder mean an         
individual who-- 7,a7 holds an ownership
 interest in a covered horse2 or  7,b7  
is in the business of breeding covered  
horses4  7#ad7 ,racetrack ,the term     
racetrack means an organization or      
person licensed by a ,state racing      
commission to conduct covered           
horseraces4  7#ae7 ,,rhso ,the term     
,,rhso means the ,racehorse ,health and 
,safety ,organization established under 
section #aja4  7#af7 ,scientific        
medication control committee ,the term  
scientific medication control committee 
means a committee established under     
section #bja4  7#ag7 ,state racing      
commission ,the term ,state racing      
commission means an entity designated by
 ,state law or regulation that has      
jurisdiction over the conduct of        

horseracing within the applicable       
,state4  7#ah7 ,trainer ,the term       
trainer means an individual that is     
engaged in the training of covered      
horses and is the recipient of direct or
 indirect compensation or anything of   
value for such services or expertise4   
7#ai7 ,training facility ,the term      
training facility means a location      
that-- 7,a7 is not a racetrack          
recognized and designated by the        
,racehorse ,health and ,safety          
,organization2 and  7,b7 operates       
primarily to house covered horses or to 
conduct official timed workouts or      
qualifying races4  7#bj7 ,veterinarian  
,the term veterinarian means a licensed 
veterinarian who provides veterinary    
services to covered horses4  7#ba7      
,workout ,the term workout means-- 7,a7 
a timed running of a horse over a       
predetermined distance not associated   
with a purse race2 or  7,b7 the         
competing of a horse in a harness       
qualifying race4  #c4 ,repeal of the    

,horseracing ,integrity and ,safety ,act
 of #bjbj ,the ,horseracing ,integrity  
and ,safety ,act of #bjbj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4
 #cjea et seq47 is repealed4  #d4       
,authorization to enter into interstate 
compact  7a7 ,in general ,the consent of
 ,congress is given for ,states to enter
 into an interstate compact in          
accordance with this ,act4  7b7 ,consent
 of ,states ,a ,state may demonstrate   
consent to enter into the interstate    
compact through the enactment of a      
,state law that contains a provision    
indicating such consent that is         
substantially similar to the following3 
,the ,state of  hereby consents to and  
enters into the interstate compact      
established in accordance with the      
,racehorse ,health and ,safety ,act of  
#bjbe4 4  7c7 ,prohibition on interstate
 off-,track wagers among non-,member    
,states  7#a7 ,in general ,subject to1  
and in accordance with1 the ,interstate 
,horseracing ,act of #aigh 7#ae         
,u4,s4,c4 #cjja et seq471 a host ,state 

that is a member ,state of the          
interstate compact may allow the        
interstate transmission of any          
electronic signal for the purposes of   
allowing for the placement of interstate
 off-track wagers or advance deposit    
wagers pertaining to the covered        
horserace concerned4  7#b7 ,exception ,a
 host ,state that is not a member ,state
 of the interstate compact is prohibited
 from allowing interstate transmission  
of any electronic signal for the        
purposes described in paragraph 7#a74   
7#c7 ,host ,state defined ,in this      
subsection1 the term host ,state means a
 ,state in which a horserace subject to 
an interstate wager takes place4  ,i    
,racehorse ,health and ,safety          
,organization  #aja4 ,racehorse ,health 
and ,safety ,organization  7a7 ,in      
general ,states that are members of the 
interstate compact shall-- 7#a7         
establish and participate in an         
organization1 to be known as the        
,racehorse ,health and ,safety          

,organization or the ,,rhso1 to         
coordinate the decision making and      
actions of the ,state racing commission 
of each member ,state2 and  7#b7 develop
 bylaws and rules governing the ,,rhso1 
including rules establishing the ,,rhso 
as an agency for purposes of subchapter 
,,ii of chapter #e of title #e1 ,united 
,states ,code4  7b7 ,board of directors 
7#a7 ,in general ,the ,,rhso shall be   
governed by a board of directors        
composed of #i members1 of whom-- 7,a7  
#e shall be appointed by the ,state     
racing commission of each of the #e     
member ,states that had the greatest    
number of racing days during the        
preceding #c-year period1 with each such
 ,state racing commission appointing #a 
member2 and  7,b7 #d shall be appointed 
by the ,state racing commissions of the 
remaining member ,states4  7#b7         
,membership  7,a7 ,chairperson ,the     
chairperson of the ,board shall be      
elected annually by majority vote from  
among the members of the ,board4  7,b7  

,term  7i7 ,in general ,except as       
provided in clauses 7ii7 and 7iii71 the 
term of a member of the ,board shall not
 exceed #c years4 ,no member shall serve
 more than #c full terms4  7ii7 ,initial
 appointment ,for purposes of staggering
 terms of appointment1 the initial      
members appointed by the ,state racing  
commissions in the #e member ,states    
that had the greatest number of racing  
days during the prior #c-year period    
shall serve an initial term of #d years4
  7iii7 ,expansion in case of fewer than
 #i member ,states ,if1 as of the date  
described in section #ejb7;a71 fewer    
than #i ,states have entered the        
interstate compact1 the ,board shall add
 a new member as each new ,state enters 
the interstate compact1 up to a maximum 
of #i members4  7iv7 ,vacancies ,a      
vacancy on the ,board shall be filled in
 the same manner as the position was    
appointed immediately prior to the      
vacancy4 ,an individual appointed to    
fill a vacancy occurring before the     

expiration of the term for which the    
predecessor of that individual was      
appointed shall be appointed for the    
remainder of that term4 ,when the term  
of office of a member ends1 the member  
may continue to serve until a successor 
is appointed4  7,c7 ,conflicts of       
interest  7i7 ,in general ,each member  
of the ,board shall-- 7,i7 before       
accepting appointment as a ,board       
member1 disclose any potential conflict 
of interest2  7,,ii7 notify the full    
,board immediately upon engaging in any 
activity that the ,,rhso determines may 
be perceived as a conflict of interest2 
and  7,,iii7 not less frequently than   
annually1 certify in writing the        
information referred to in subclauses   
7,i7 and 7,,ii7 and disclose any        
potential or perceived conflicts of     
interest4  7ii7 ,recusal required ,a    
member of the ,board shall recuse       
himself or herself from discussion of   
any item before the ,board if such      
discussion-- 7,i7 relates to the direct 

financial interest of the member of the 
,board or an immediate family member of 
the member of the ,board2 and  7,,ii7   
does not apply to all covered horses    
within a breed4  7,d7 ,removal and      
ethics ,the ,board may remove by        
majority vote a member of the ,board or 
the chairperson of the ,board for-- 7i7 
neglect of duty1 unethical behavior1 or 
malfeasance in office 7including conduct
 determined by the ,board to be         
injurious to the integrity of           
horseracing1 such as contract violations
 or perjury72 or  7ii7 conviction of a  
violation of a ,federal or ,state civil 
or criminal law related to horseracing4 
7,e7 ,quorum ,in order to consider at a 
meeting any item requiring the approval 
of the ,board1 the ,board shall have in 
attendance at such a meeting 7either in 
person or remotely7 a majority of       
members of the ,board4  7c7 ,duties of  
the ,board ,the duties of ,board shall  
be-- 7#a7 7,a7 to adopt rules with      
respect to scientific medication control

 recommended by each scientific         
medication control committee under      
section #bjb2 or  7,b7 to modify1 or not
 adopt rules so recommended or adopt    
alternative rules if the ,board         
determines1 by a preponderance of       
evidence1 that such recommendations do  
not meet the requirements specified in  
paragraph 7#d72  7#b7 7,a7 to adopt     
rules with respect to racetrack safety  
recommended by the ,racetrack ,safety   
,committee under section #cjc2 or  7,b7 
to modify1 or not adopt rules so        
recommended or adopt alternative rules  
if the ,board determines1 by a          
preponderance of evidence1 that such    
recommendations do not meet the         
requirements specified in paragraph     
7#d72  7#c7 to adopt rules with respect 
to rule violations1 as described in     
sections #dja1 #djb1 and #djc2  7#d7 to 
ensure that any rule adopted under      
paragraph 7#a71 7#b71 or 7#c7 is based  
on generally accepted scientific        
principles and methods1 and to the      

extent possible1 on peer-reviewed       
scientific data and studies2  7#e7 to   
hold open meetings with respect to      
proposed rules recommended under        
sections #bjb and #cjc1 at which the    
chairperson of the scientific medication
 control committee concerned or the     
chairperson of the ,racetrack ,safety   
,committee1 as applicable1 or the       
representative of such chairperson1     
shall present such proposed rules2  7#f7
 not later than #de days before any such
 meeting is to be held-- 7,a7 to post on
 the internet website of the ,,rhso any 
proposed rule described in paragraph    
7#a7 or 7#b7 7or modifications to such  
rules7 under consideration at such      
meeting2 and  7,b7 to submit to each    
,state racing commission 7and to any    
other individual upon request7          
notification of such meeting2  7#g7 to  
adopt any rule under paragraphs 7#a71   
7#b71 and 7#c7 by a vote of not less    
than a two-thirds majority of the       
,board1 determine the effective date of 

any such rule1 and update any such rule 
in accordance with the process          
established under paragraphs 7#e7 and   
7#f72  7#h7 after notice and an         
opportunity for public comment1 in      
consultation with the ,state racing     
commissions1 to develop and maintain a  
nationwide database of racehorse safety1
 performance1 health1 and injury        
information for the purpose of          
conducting an epidemiological study2    
7#i7 in carrying out paragraph 7#h71 to 
require covered persons and equine      
industry representatives to collect and 
submit for inclusion in such database   
such information as the ,,rhso considers
 necessary to further the goal of       
increased horse welfare2  7#aj7 with    
respect to covered persons-- 7,a7       
subject to section #ajb1 to issue       
subpoenas and investigate rule          
violations2 and  7,b7 to refer to the   
appropriate ,state racing commission any
 such violation for enforcement action  
unless the ,state racing commission     

concerned agrees to give that           
enforcement authority to the ,,rhso2    
7#aa7 in consultation with member       
,states1 to develop uniform standards   
for veterinarian's and steward's lists  
and uniform procedures for entering     
horses on1 and removing horses from1    
such lists2  7#ab7 to establish1 and    
conduct oversight activities with       
respect to1 the scientific medication   
control committees under section #bja   
and the ,racetrack ,safety ,committee   
under #cjb2  7#ac7 in carrying out      
paragraph 7#ab71 with respect to members
 of the committees referred to in that  
paragraph-- 7,a7 to assess such members 
for potential conflicts on a            
case-by-case basis2 and  7,b7 to        
determine1 in the sole discretion of the
 ,board1 whether the potential conflict 
requires removal from the committee or  
denial of the opportunity to vote on an 
item pending before the relevant        
committee2  7#ad7 to carry out          
activities described in subsection 7e7  

relating to laboratory accreditation2   
and  7#ae7 to ensure that member ,states
 comply with the terms of this ,act1 the
 interstate compact1 and the rules      
adopted by the ,board under this        
section1 including the prohibition on   
interstate off-track wagers among       
non-member ,states specified in section 
#d7;c74  7d7 ,funding  7#a7 ,initial    
funding ,the ,,rhso1 acting through the 
,board1 shall assess an initial fee from
 each ,state racing commission of a     
member ,state in an amount determined by
 the ,board to be sufficient to cover   
the startup costs of the racing         
commission for the first full year that 
begins after the effective date         
specified in section #ejb7;a74  7#b7    
,permanent funding  7,a7 ,assessment and
 collection of fees by ,states  7i7 ,in 
general ,beginning on a date determined 
by the ,,rhso1 each ,state racing       
commission of a member ,state shall     
remit to the ,,rhso an amount of fees   
determined under subparagraph 7,b71 in  

accordance with a schedule developed by 
the ,,rhso4  7ii7 ,determination of     
methods ,each ,state racing commission  
of a member ,state shall determine1     
subject to the applicable laws1         
regulations1 and contracts of the ,state
 concerned1 the method by which the     
amount of fees determined in accordance 
with subparagraph 7,b7 shall be         
allocated1 assessed1 and collected4     
7,b7 ,annual calculation of amounts     
required  7i7 ,in general ,for the first
 year in which fees are collected under 
this subsection1 not later than the date
 determined by the ,,rhso1 and not later
 than ,november #a each year thereafter1
 the ,,rhso shall determine and provide 
to each ,state racing commission the    
estimated amount required from each     
member ,state-- 7,i7 to fund the member 
,state's proportionate share of the     
expenditures incurred in administering  
the horseracing scientific medication   
control rules under subsection 7c77#a7  
and the racetrack safety rules under    

section subsection 7c77#b7 for each     
breed of covered horses racing in       
covered horseraces in the ,state2 and   
7,,ii7 to liquidate any loan undertaken 
or other debt incurred to cover a       
shortfall in fees assessed for the      
current calendar year and any preceding 
calendar year4  7ii7 ,basis of          
calculation ,the amounts calculated     
under clause 7i7 shall be based on the  
annual breed-specific budget of the     
,,rhso for the breed in that ,state for 
the following year as approved by the   
,board of ,directors after taking into  
account-- 7,i7 the projected number of  
racing starts for the year separately   
for each breed in that ,state2 and      
7,,ii7 any other sources of ,,rhso      
income4  7,c7 ,state racing commission  
assessment  7i7 ,sources ,a ,state may  
fund the amount required under          
subparagraph 7,b77i7 from a variety of  
sources1 including foal registration    
fees1 sales contributions1 starter fees1
 track fees1 and other fees on covered  

persons4  7ii7 ,breed-specific          
assessments ,in assessing fees to meet  
the requirement under subparagraph 7,b71
 a ,state racing commission shall assess
 fees on a breed-specific basis1 for the
 ,standardbred1 ,thoroughbred1 and the  
,quarter ,horse industries operating    
within that ,state4 ,each such          
assessment shall be specifically        
earmarked for the development1          
refinement1 and maintenance of-- 7,i7   
horseracing scientific medication       
control rules consistent with subsection
 7c77#a7 that are specific and limited  
to each breed's unique performance model
 and developed safety protocols2 and    
7,,ii7 racetrack safety rules consistent
 with subsection 7c77#b7 that are       
specific and limited to each breed's    
unique performance model and developed  
safety protocols4  7iii7 ,no commingling
 ,a ,state racing commission of a member
 ,state shall ensure that funds assessed
 by the member ,state for a single breed
 of covered horses shall not be         

commingled for the use or subsidy of any
 other breed of covered horses4  7iv7   
,three-fourths majority vote required   
for rate increases ,in the case of a    
proposed increase in the amount required
 under clause 7i7 that exceeds #e       
percent1 such increase shall only become
 effective if the increase is approved  
by a vote of not less than a            
three-fourths majority of the ,board4   
7#c7 ,borrowing ,the ,,rhso may incur   
debt to carry out the duties of the     
,,rhso but may not accept loans from any
 covered person or equine industry      
representative4  7e7 ,testing           
laboratories  7#a7 ,in general ,the     
,,rhso shall review existing rules      
relating to laboratory accreditation and
 testing standards issued by the ,state 
racing commissions and the ,national    
,veterinary ,services ,laboratories of  
the ,animal and ,plant ,health          
,inspection ,service of the ,department 
of ,agriculture4  7#b7 ,administration  
7,a7 ,in general ,the ,,rhso shall      

select an accreditation body to conduct 
the accreditation of laboratories and   
the audits of laboratories so accredited
 to ensure compliance with rules issued 
under subsection 7c77#a74  7,b7         
,authority ,the accreditation body      
selected under subparagraph 7,a7 shall  
have the authority to require specific  
test samples to be directed to1 and     
tested by1 laboratories with special    
expertise in the required tests4  7,c7  
,condition of accreditation ,the        
accreditation body so selected shall    
ensure that each laboratory seeking     
accreditation to conduct testing of     
covered horses has a relationship with a
 national laboratory1 such as the       
,national ,veterinary ,services         
,laboratories of the ,animal and ,plant 
,health ,inspection ,service4  7#c7     
,selection of laboratories  7,a7 ,in    
general ,a ,state racing commission may 
select1 for purposes of testing samples 
from covered horses racing in covered   
horseraces in the ,state concerned1 a   

laboratory accredited by the            
accreditation body selected under       
paragraph 7#b74  7,b7 ,selection by the 
,,rhso ,if a ,state racing commission   
selects a laboratory that is not        
accredited by the accreditation body    
selected under paragraph 7#b71 the      
,,rhso shall select a laboratory        
accredited by the accreditation body    
selected under paragraph 7#b7 to test   
samples taken in that ,state4  #ajb4    
,role of ,states and ,state racing      
commissions  7a7 ,enforcement authority 
7#a7 ,state election ,to enforce ,a     
,state racing commission may elect to   
exercise enforcement authority with     
respect to the rules issued under       
paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section     
#aja7;c7 within the ,state concerned4   
7#b7 ,,rhso rules ,if a ,state racing   
commission does not make the election   
described in paragraph 7#a71 the ,,rhso 
shall enforce the rules issued under    
paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section     
#aja7;c7 within the ,state1 pursuant to 

a memorandum of understanding entered   
into with the ,,rhso4  7b7 ,preemption  
,the rules of the ,,rhso promulgated in 
accordance with this ,act shall preempt 
any provision of ,state law or          
regulation of member ,states with       
respect to matters within the           
jurisdiction of the ,,rhso4  7c7 ,unfair
 or deceptive acts or practices ,each   
member ,state shall1 as a condition of  
being a member of the interstate        
compact1 have in effect a statute that  
treats as an unfair or deceptive act or 
practice the sale of a covered horse1 or
 of any other horse in anticipation of  
its future participation in a covered   
race1 if the seller-- 7#a7 knows or has 
reason to know the horse has been       
administered-- 7,a7 a bisphosphonate    
prior to the horse's fourth birthday2 or
  7,b7 any other substance or method the
 ,,rhso determines has a long-term      
degrading effect on the soundness of the
 covered horse2 and  7#b7 fails to      
disclose to the buyer the administration

 of the bisphosphonate or other such    
substance or method4  #ajc4 ,exemption  
from the ,federal ,advisory ,committee  
,act ,,rhso and any committee or        
subcommittee of ,,rhso are not subject  
to chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united     
,states ,code 7commonly referred to as  
the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act74
  ,,ii ,horseracing scientific          
medication control  #bja4 ,scientific   
medication control committees  7a7 ,in  
general ,for purposes of developing1    
updating1 and implementing a set of     
proposed rules with respect to          
horseracing scientific medication       
control for covered horses1 covered     
persons1 and covered horseraces1 the    
,,rhso shall establish a scientific     
medication control committee with       
respect to each breed of horses involved
 in covered horserace1 as follows3 7#a7 
,a ,standardbred ,racing ,scientific    
,medication ,control ,committee4  7#b7  
,a ,quarter ,horse ,racing ,scientific  
,medication ,control ,committee4  7#c7  

,a ,thoroughbred ,racing ,scientific    
,medication ,control ,committee4  7b7   
,duties ,each scientific medication     
control committee shall draft proposed  
rules regarding scientific medication   
control1 in accordance with subsection  
7e71 and shall recommend the proposed   
rules to the ,board4  7c7 ,meetings     
,except as provided in subsection 7e71  
meetings of a scientific medication     
control committee may be closed4  7d7   
,membership  7#a7 ,composition ,each    
scientific medication control committee 
shall be composed of #g members1 as     
follows3 7,a7 ,regulatory members ,three
 members of each scientific medication  
control committee shall be appointed--  
7i7 by the ,board from within the equine
 industry2 and  7ii7 based on their     
knowledge of equine exercise physiology1
 forensic toxicology1 or equine         
pharmacology4  7,b7 ,industry members   
,four members of each scientific        
medication control committee shall be   
appointed as follows3 7i7 ,for the      

,standardbred ,racing ,scientific       
,medication ,control ,committee1 such   
appointments shall be made by the       
,united ,states ,trotting ,association4 
7ii7 ,for the ,quarter ,horse ,racing   
,scientific ,medication ,control        
,committee1 such appointments shall be  
made by the ,american ,quarter ,horse   
,association4  7iii7 ,for the           
,thoroughbred ,racing ,scientific       
,medication ,control ,committee1 such   
appointments shall be made by the       
,national ,horsemen's ,benevolent and   
,protective ,association4  7#b7         
,qualifications  7,a7 ,in general ,the  
members of a scientific medication      
control committee appointed under       
paragraph 7#a77;,b7 shall-- 7i7 have    
significant1 recent experience in       
medication control or toxicology        
research2 or  7ii7 hold a doctorate of  
philosophy or equivalent degree4  7,b7  
,additional qualifications ,of the      
members appointed under paragraph       
7#a77;,b7-- 7i7 at least #a member shall

 be a mathematician or statistician with
 experience in threshold determination2 
7ii7 at least #a member shall be an     
equine exercise physiologist2  7iii7 at 
least #a member shall be an equine      
pharmacologist2 and  7iv7 at least #a   
member shall be an analytical chemist4  
7#c7 ,term  7,a7 ,in general ,except as 
provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the term 
of each member of a scientific          
medication control committee shall not  
exceed #c years4 ,such term is renewable
 for an indefinite number of terms4     
7,b7 ,initial term ,for purposes of     
staggering the terms of appointment1 the
 members first appointed under paragraph
 7#a77;,a7 shall serve an initial term  
of #d years4  7,c7 ,limitation ,no      
member of a scientific medication       
control committee may serve as a member 
on more than #b scientific medication   
control committees4  7#d7 ,chairperson  
,the chairperson of each scientific     
medication control committee shall be   
elected annually from among the members 

of the scientific medication control    
committee by majority vote of the       
scientific medication control committee4
  7#e7 ,conflicts of interest ,each     
member appointed to a scientific        
medication control committee shall1     
before the beginning of any meeting of  
the scientific medication control       
committee1 declare any conflicts of     
interest directly pertinent to the      
agenda of such meeting4  7#f7 ,quorum   
,in order to consider at a meeting any  
rule being proposed to the ,board1 each 
scientific medication control committee 
shall have in attendance at such a      
meeting 7either in person or remotely7 a
 majority of members of the scientific  
medication control committee4  7e7      
,rules for scientific medical control   
7#a7 ,adoption of rules ,not later than 
#ij days before the consideration of a  
rule 7or a modification to such a rule71
 each scientific medication control     
committee shall hold an open meeting at 
which covered persons or their          

representatives may provide input4  7#b7
 ,notice of meeting ,not less than #de  
days before the date on which the       
meeting referred to in paragraph 7#a7 is
 to be held1 the agenda1 location1 and  
date of such meeting shall-- 7,a7 be    
posted on the internet website of the   
,,rhso2  7,b7 submitted to the ,racing  
,medication and ,testing ,consortium1   
the ,harness ,racing ,medication        
,collaborative1 and the ,american       
,quarter ,horse ,association ,medication
 ,committee2 and  7,c7 provided to any  
individual or entity requesting such    
information4  7#c7 ,recording of input  
,if any input from a covered person 7or 
a representative of a covered person7 is
 provided during a meeting referred to  
in paragraph 7#a71 or provided in       
writing1 such input shall be transcribed
 and recorded and made part of the      
record of the scientific medication     
control committee concerned4  7#d7      
,review of medication and threshold     
rules  7,a7 ,in general ,each scientific

 medication control committee shall     
review-- 7i7 all existing medication and
 threshold rules issued by ,state racing
 commissions with respect to covered    
horses2 and  7ii7 all available research
 on medication thresholds for covered   
horses4  7,b7 ,penalty recommendations  
,a scientific medication control        
committee may revise penalty            
recommendations with respect to each    
substance reviewed as part of the       
medication and threshold review under   
subparagraph 7,a74  7,c7 ,medications   
,each scientific medication control     
committee shall-- 7i7 review the        
development of any new medication on an 
ongoing basis to determine whether such 
medication should be subject to the     
medication control rules issued pursuant
 to section #aja7;c72 and  7ii7 if the  
scientific medication control committee 
determines that such a medication should
 be subject to such rules1 the          
scientific medication control committee 
shall develop and submit to the ,board  

for approval proposed modifications to  
such rules to include such medication4  
#bjb4 ,horseracing scientific medication
 control rules  7a7 ,applicability      
,scientific medication control rules    
issued under section #aja7;c77#a7 for   
each breed of covered horse shall apply 
to-- 7#a7 covered horseraces1 covered   
persons1 and covered horses in member   
,states2 and  7#b7 any covered horse or 
covered person from a ,state that is not
 a member ,state that seeks to race in a
 covered horserace in a member ,state4  
7b7 ,development of proposed rules  7#a7
 ,in general ,in developing proposed    
scientific medication control rules with
 respect to a breed of covered horses1  
to the extent possible1 a scientific    
medication control committee shall--    
7,a7 use scientific methods2  7,b7      
address all topics set forth in         
subsection 7c72 and  7,c7 take into     
account the unique characteristics and  
needs of such breed and its racing      
performance model1 including the varying

 number and nature of races each year   
for the breed4  7#b7 ,transition ,until 
the date on which rules issued by the   
,,rhso pursuant to section #aja7;c7     
become effective1 the rules of the      
,state concerned shall apply with       
respect to the administration of        
medication to covered horses racing in  
covered horseraces4  7c7 ,elements ,the 
proposed rules referred to in subsection
 7b7 shall provide-- 7#a7 that-- 7,a7 a 
covered horse may only compete in a     
covered horserace if the horse is-- 7i7 
free from the active pharmacological    
effect of medications1 other foreign    
substances1 and methods that enhance the
 natural performance of the covered     
horse2 and  7ii7 unencumbered by-- 7,i7 
foreign substances2 and  7,,ii7 diseases
 or conditions2  7,b7 a covered horse   
that is injured or determined by a      
veterinarian to be unsound may not train
 or participate in a covered horserace2 
7,c7 the use of medications1 other      
foreign substances1 and treatment       

methods that mask pain in order to allow
 an injured or unsound covered horse to 
train or race in a covered horserace    
shall be prohibited2  7,d7 with respect 
to the uniformity of rules1 standards1  
procedures1 and protocols regulating    
medication and treatment methods for    
covered horses and covered horseraces1  
such rules1 standards1 procedures1 and  
protocols-- 7i7 shall be uniform within 
each breed of covered horse2 and  7ii7  
shall not be imposed on all #c breeds   
unless specifically adopted by the      
scientific medication control committee 
for each breed2 and  7,e7 breed-specific
 rules1 standards1 procedures1 and      
protocols shall include breed-specific  
permissible thresholds1 medication      
withdrawal guidelines1 and other        
breed-specific concerns with respect to 
the administration of medication2 and   
7#b7 for-- 7,a7 the development1 in     
consultation with the ,state racing     
commissions and the ,national           
,veterinary ,services ,laboratories of  

the ,animal and ,plant ,health          
,inspection ,service1 of a list of      
permitted and prohibited medications1   
methods1 and substances1 for each breed 
of covered horse2  7,b7 a process for   
the review by the scientific medication 
control committee concerned for the     
administration of any medication to a   
covered horse during the #bd-;hour      
period preceding the next racing start  
of the covered horse2 and  7,c7 the     
performance and management of test      
distribution planning 7including        
intelligence-based testing71 the sample 
collection process1 and in-competition  
and out-of-competition testing          
7including no-advance-notice testing74  
,,iii ,racetrack safety  #cja4          
,definition of ,committee ,in this      
title1 the term ,committee means the    
,racetrack ,safety ,committee           
established under section #cjb4  #cjb4  
,racetrack ,safety ,committee  7a7 ,in  
general ,for the purposes of developing1
 updating1 and implementing mandatory   

horseracing racetrack safety rules for  
covered horses1 covered persons1 and    
covered horseraces under this ,act1 the 
,,rhso shall establish a ,racetrack     
,safety ,committee4  7b7 ,duties ,the   
,committee shall-- 7#a7 draft proposed  
rules with respect to racetrack safety  
for each horse breed competing in       
covered horseraces1 in accordance with  
subsection 7d72  7#b7 recommend such    
proposed rules to the ,board2 and  7#c7 
for purposes of making such             
recommendations1 obtain testimony or    
other documented comment from racetrack 
superintendents from each affected breed
 of covered horses4  7c7 ,membership    
,the ,committee shall be composed of #g 
members as follows3 7#a7 ,regulatory    
members ,three such members shall be    
representatives of the equine industry1 
selected by the ,board for their        
knowledge of racetrack safety1          
management1 and maintenance4  7#b7      
,industry members ,four such members    
shall be appointed as follows3 7,a7 ,one

 member shall be appointed by the       
,united ,states ,trotting ,association4 
7,b7 ,one member shall be appointed by  
the ,american ,quarter ,horse           
,association4  7,c7 ,one member shall be
 appointed by the ,national ,horsemen's 
,benevolent and ,protective             
,association4  7,d7 ,one member shall be
 a racetrack superintendent appointed by
 the ,association of ,racing            
,commissioners ,international4  7#c7    
,term  7,a7 ,in general ,except as      
provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the term 
of each member of the ,committee shall  
not exceed #c years4 ,such term is      
renewable for an indefinite number of   
terms4  7,b7 ,initial term ,for purposes
 of staggering the terms of appointment1
 the members first appointed under      
paragraph 7#a7 shall serve an initial   
term of #d years4  7#d7 ,chairperson    
,the chairperson of the ,committee shall
 be elected annually from among the     
members of the ,committee by majority   
vote of the ,committee4  7#e7 ,conflicts

 of interest  7,a7 ,in general ,each    
member of the ,committee shall-- 7i7    
before accepting appointment as a member
 of the ,committee1 disclose any        
potential conflict of interest2 and     
7ii7 notify the full ,board immediately 
upon engaging in any activity that the  
,,rhso determines may be perceived as a 
conflict4  7,b7 ,recusal required ,a    
member of the ,committee shall recuse   
himself or herself from discussion of   
any item at a meeting of the ,committee 
if such discussion-- 7i7 relates to the 
direct financial interest of any member 
of the ,committee2 and  7ii7 does not   
apply to all covered horses within a    
breed4  7#f7 ,removal and ethics ,the   
,board may remove by majority vote a    
member of the ,committee for-- 7,a7     
neglect of duty1 unethical behavior1 or 
malfeasance in office 7including conduct
 determined by the ,board to be         
injurious to the integrity of           
horseracing1 such as contract violations
 and perjury72 or  7,b7 conviction of a 

violation of a ,federal or ,state civil 
or criminal law related to horseracing4 
7#g7 ,quorum ,in order to consider at a 
meeting any rule being proposed to the  
,board1 the ,committee shall have in    
attendance at such a meeting 7either in 
person or remotely7 a majority of       
members of the ,committee4  7d7 ,process
 for adoption of rules  7#a7 ,in general
 ,not later than #ij days before the    
consideration of a proposed rule 7or a  
modification to such a rule71 the       
,committee shall hold an open meeting at
 which covered persons or their         
representatives may provide input4  7#b7
 ,notice of meeting ,not less than #de  
days before the date on which the       
meeting referred to in paragraph 7#a7 is
 to be held1 the agenda1 location1 and  
date of such meeting shall-- 7,a7 be    
posted on the internet website of the   
,,rhso2  7,b7 submitted to the ,racing  
,medication and ,testing ,consortium1   
the ,harness ,racing ,medication        
,collaborative1 and the ,american       

,quarter ,horse ,association            
,medication2 and  7,c7 provided to any  
individual or entity requesting such    
information4  7#c7 ,recording of input  
,if any input from a covered person 7or 
a representative of a covered person7 is
 provided during a meeting referred to  
in paragraph 7#a71 or provided in       
writing1 such input shall be transcribed
 and recorded and made part of the      
record of the ,committee4  #cjc4        
,racetrack safety rules  7a7            
,applicability ,the racetrack safety    
rules established pursuant to section   
#aja7;c77#b7 shall apply with respect to
 covered horses1 covered persons1 and   
covered horseraces4  7b7 ,development of
 proposed rules ,in developing proposed 
racetrack safety rules1 the ,committee  
shall-- 7#a7 consult with the ,state    
racing commissions2 and  7#b7 take into 
consideration safety standards in use as
 of the date of the enactment of this   
,act1 including-- 7,a7 the ,national    
,thoroughbred ,racing ,association      

,safety and ,integrity ,alliance ,code  
of ,standards2 and  7,b7 the            
,association of ,racing ,commissioners  
,international ,model ,rules4  7c7      
,elements ,the proposed rules referred  
to in subsection 7b7 shall include the  
following3 7#a7 ,training and racing    
safety standards and protocols that--   
7,a7 take into account regional         
differences and the character of        
different racing facilities that may    
cause variations based on geographical  
and environmental differences2  7,b7 are
 otherwise uniform within each breed of 
covered horses and unique to the        
performance model of each such breed2   
7,c7 are consistent with the humane     
treatment of covered horses2 and  7,d7  
may include lists of permitted and      
prohibited practices1 methods1 and track
 surfaces that affect safety4  7#b7     
,track safety standards and protocols1  
uniform within each breed of covered    
horses1 which may include rules         
governing-- 7,a7 human and equine injury

 reporting and prevention2 and  7,b7    
oversight and movement of covered       
horses4  7#c7 ,with respect to the      
accreditation by the ,,rhso of          
racetracks within each breed of covered 
horses racing in covered horseraces--   
7,a7 safety1 training1 and performance  
standards of such accreditation2  7,b7  
the process by which a racetrack within 
each breed may achieve and maintain such
 accreditation2 and  7,c7 the penalties 
to be imposed by the ,,rhso or a ,state 
racing commission1 as applicable1 in the
 case of a racetrack not complying with 
such standards4  7#d7 ,in the case of a 
racetrack that does not1 as of the date 
on which the rules established pursuant 
to section #aja7;c77#b7 become          
effective1 meet the standards for       
accreditation issued pursuant to        
paragraph 7#b71 a process for the       
extension of provisional or interim     
accreditation for a period not to exceed
 #a year-- 7,a7 to a racetrack          
accredited by the ,national             

,thoroughbred ,racing ,association      
,safety and ,integrity ,alliance2 and   
7,b7 that is-- 7i7 determined at a      
meeting that takes place on a date      
during such #a-year period2 and  7ii7   
sanctioned by the ,united ,states       
,trotting ,association or any entity    
empowered to perform such function on   
behalf of the ,american ,quarter ,horse 
,association4  7#e7 ,the establishment  
and process for maintaining a racing    
surface quality maintenance system      
that-- 7,a7 takes into account regional 
environmental differences and the       
character of different racing           
facilities1 including differences among 
breeds2 and  7,b7 may include           
requirements for-- 7i7 track surface    
design and consistency2 and  7ii7       
standard operating procedures related to
 track surface monitoring and           
maintenance1 such as standardized       
seasonal assessment1 daily tracking1 and
 measurement4  7#f7 ,a process for      
injury and fatality analysis1 which may 

include-- 7,a7 pre-training and         
post-training and race inspections2     
7,b7 use of a veterinarian's list or a  
steward's list that meet standards      
specified under section #aja7;c77#aa72  
and  7,c7 jockey1 exercise rider1 and   
driver concussion protocols4  7#g7      
,requirements relating to the conduct of
 safety and performance research4  7#h7 
,rules relating to the establishment of 
educational programs4  ,,iv ,rule       
violations  #dja4 ,prohibited acts ,in  
enforcing the rules issued under section
 #aja7;c71 the ,board shall prohibit the
 following3 7#a7 ,certain nontherapeutic
 medications and substances1 including--
 7,a7 the administration to a covered   
horse of such a medication or substance2
  7,b7 the presence of such a medication
 or substance in a blood1 urine1 or hair
 sample of a covered horse2  7,c7 the   
use or attempted use of such a          
medication or substance on a covered    
horse2  7,d7 possession or attempted    
possession of such a medication or      

substance2  7,e7 trafficking or         
attempted trafficking in any such       
medication or substance2 and  7,f7      
manufacturing1 producing1 or formulating
 such a medication or substance4  7#b7  
,certain therapeutic medications and    
substances in quantitative amounts that 
exceed the irrelevant concentration     
present in a covered horse during a     
prohibited timeframe before or after the
 covered horse races in a covered       
horserace1 including-- 7,a7 the         
administration to a covered horse of    
such a medication or substance2  7,b7   
the presence of such a medication or    
substance in a blood1 urine1 or hair    
sample of a covered horse2 and  7,c7 the
 use or attempted use of such a         
medication or substance on a covered    
horse4  7#c7 ,refusal or failure-- 7,a7 
without compelling justification1 to    
submit a covered horse for collection of
 a blood1 urine1 or hair sample2  7,b7  
to cooperate with the ,,rhso1 a ,state  
racing commission1 or an agent thereof  

during any investigation2  7,c7 to      
respond truthfully1 to the best of a    
covered person's knowledge1 to a        
question of the ,,rhso1 a ,state racing 
commission1 or an agent thereof with    
respect to any matter under the         
jurisdiction of such entity2 and  7,d7  
in the case of a racetrack1 to be in    
compliance with track safety standards4 
7#d7 ,tampering or attempted tampering  
with the application of the rules issued
 by or process adopted by the ,,rhso    
under section #aja7;c71 including-- 7,a7
 the intentional interference1 or an    
attempt to interfere1 with the ,,rhso1 a
 ,state racing commission1 or an agent  
thereof2  7,b7 the procurement or the   
provision of fraudulent information to  
the ,,rhso1 a ,state racing commission1 
or an agent thereof2 and  7,c7 the      
intimidation of1 or an attempt to       
intimidate1 a potential witness4  7#e7  
,assisting1 encouraging1 aiding1        
abetting1 conspiring1 covering up1 or   
any other type of intentional complicity

 involving a violation of a rule issued 
under section #aja7;c7 or the violation 
of a period of suspension or eligibility
 imposed on a covered person1 covered   
horse1 or covered horserace4  7#f7      
,threatening or seeking to intimidate a 
person with the intent of discouraging  
the person from the good faith reporting
 to the ,,rhso1 a ,state racing         
commission1 or an agent thereof1 of     
information that relates to-- 7,a7 an   
alleged violation of a rule issued by   
the ,,rhso under section #aja7;c72 or   
7,b7 alleged noncompliance with such a  
rule4  #djb4 ,results management and    
disciplinary process  7a7 ,in general   
,the ,board shall issue rules with      
respect to the disciplinary process for 
safety1 performance1 and scientific     
medication control rule violations1     
which may include the existing ,model   
,rules of the ,association of ,racing   
,commissioners ,international4  7b7     
,elements ,the rules and processes      
issued under subsection 7a7 shall       

include the following3 7#a7 ,the        
undertaking of investigations at        
racetrack and nonracetrack facilities   
related to safety violations4 ,in       
performing investigations1 the ,,rhso   
and ,state racing commissions shall seek
 assistance as needed4  7#b7 ,procedures
 for-- 7,a7 investigating1 charging1 and
 adjudicating violations2 and  7,b7 the 
enforcement of administrative sanctions4
  7#c7 ,a schedule of administrative    
sanctions for violations4  7#d7         
,disciplinary hearings1 which may       
include binding arbitration1 mediation1 
administrative sanctions1 and research4 
7#e7 ,management of violation results4  
7#f7 ,referral for criminal law         
enforcement investigation4  7#g7        
,provisions for notification of safety1 
performance1 and scientific medication  
control rule violations4  7#h7 ,a       
process by which a noncompliant member  
,state may be removed by unanimous vote 
of the remaining member ,states4  7#i7  
,hearing procedures4  7#aj7 ,standards  

for burden of proof4  7#aa7             
,presumptions1 including a rebuttable   
presumption of liability for covered    
persons who are trainers for any        
violations of the scientific medication 
control rules under section             
#aja7;c77#a74  7#ab7 ,evidentiary rules4
  7#ac7 ,appeals4  7#ad7 ,guidelines for
 confidentiality and public reporting of
 decisions4  7c7 ,due process ,the rules
 established under subsection 7a7 shall 
provide for adequate due process1       
including-- 7#a7 impartial hearing      
officers or tribunals commensurate with 
the seriousness of the alleged safety1  
performance1 or scientific medication   
control rule violation and the possible 
civil sanctions for such violation2     
7#b7 the right to counsel1 to confront  
witnesses1 and to have a transcribed    
record of the proceedings2 and  7#c7 the
 right to have a decision rendered not  
later than #fj days after the date on   
which the hearing closes4  #djc4        
,administrative sanctions  7a7 ,in      

general ,the ,board shall-- 7#a7 review 
existing ,model ,rules of the           
,association of ,racing ,commissioners  
,international applicable to a specific 
breed1 imposing administrative sanctions
 against covered persons or covered     
horses for safety1 performance1 and     
medication control rule violations2 and 
7#b7 subject to subsection 7b71 issue   
and update rules relating to            
administrative sanctions referred to in 
paragraph 7#a74  7b7 ,requirements ,the 
rules established under subsection 7a7  
shall-- 7#a7 take into account the      
unique aspects of horseracing2  7#b7 be 
designed to ensure fair and transparent 
horseraces2 and  7#c7 deter safety1     
performance1 and scientific medication  
control rule violations4  7c7 ,severity 
,the administrative sanctions under     
subsection 7a7 may include-- 7#a7       
lifetime bans from horseracing1         
disgorgement of purses1 monetary fines  
and penalties1 and changes to the order 
of finish in covered races2 and  7#b7   

with respect to scientific medication   
control rule violators1 an opportunity  
to reduce the applicable administrative 
sanctions that is comparable to the     
opportunity provided by the ,protocol   
for ,olympic ,movement ,testing of the  
,united ,states ,medication ,agency4  ,v
 ,general provisions  #eja4 ,effective  
dates  7a7 ,,rhso ,except as provided in
 subsections 7b7 and 7c71 the provisions
 of this ,act shall take effect on the  
later of-- 7#a7 the date that is #b     
years after the date of the enactment of
 this ,act2 or  7#b7 the date on which  
#b or more ,states have entered into the
 interstate compact pursuant to section 
#d4  7b7 ,exceptions ,subsections 7c71  
7d71 and 7e7 of section #aja1 and titles
 ,,ii1 ,,iii1 and ,,iv of this ,act     
shall take effect #ij days after the    
date described in subsection 7a74  7c7  
,immediate upon enactment ,sections #a1 
#b1 and #c and subsections 7a7 and 7b7  
of section #d shall take effect         
immediately upon the date of the        

enactment of this ,act4