§3052 Recognition of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority

Summary

Creates a private, independent, nonprofit group called the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to make and run a horseracing anti-doping and medication program and a racetrack safety program for the horses, people, and races the programs cover. The group is run by a nine-member board: five members must be independent people from outside the horse business, and four must be industry people from different equine groups (no more than one from any single group). The board makes bylaws for how the group works, and it must have two seven‑member standing committees: one for anti-doping (most members must be independent and most must have recent anti-doping experience) and one for racetrack safety (most members must be independent). A seven-member nominating committee of independent members picks the first board and committee members and fills later vacancies. People who have money ties to covered horses, who are officers or policymakers for equine industry groups, their employees, business partners, or immediate family cannot serve. For any board vote, most of the independent members must be present. The Authority can borrow money to start and run itself. At least 90 days before the program starts, and by November 1 each year after, the Authority must tell each State racing commission how much the State must pay for its share next year and how much it owes on any loans or shortfalls. The amounts are based on the Authority’s approved budget and the State’s expected number of covered racing starts; the first budget needs two-thirds board approval, and any later budget that is more than 5% higher than the year before also needs two-thirds approval. States may choose to collect and send fees (they must tell the Authority 60 days before the program starts and cannot stop for at least a year after telling the Authority), or if a State does not, the Authority will calculate and collect fees from covered persons monthly based on starts in that State. Fees and fines pay for the Authority. The federal government does not have to pay money to the Authority or guarantee its debts.