Relating to civil penalties related to racing.

Higher racing penalties with appeal fee relief

Oregon’s race-meet stewards can impose civil penalties up to $5,000 per offense, up from $500, after an inquiry and hearing. This covers violations of racing laws, rules, and authorized Racing Commission or board directives. The Racing Commission must set penalty rules. License suspensions remain limited to 365 calendar days from the order’s issuance. A commission-appointed hearings master can replace the board’s inquiry and hearing, with the same powers, without being an administrative law judge. Anyone adversely affected by a board ruling can appeal by filing written notice with the commission’s executive director within 10 days. An administrative law judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings hears appeals. The appeal filing fee is $50, but the executive director can waive it for undue hardship. The commission must refund it for withdrawal more than 21 days before the hearing, an agreed informal settlement, or an objectively reasonable appeal presented at the hearing, regardless of outcome. Withdrawal 21 days or less before the hearing can trigger payment of some or all state costs caused by the appeal. The final order can award the commission costs and reasonable attorney fees for missing the hearing without good cause or appealing without an objectively reasonable basis. The board can refer matters to the commission before or after ruling; the commission’s authority is not limited by board rulings or board-specific limits.