Representative Lance Gooden, a Texas Republican, enacted legislation on October 4 in the U.S. House of Representatives to delay enforcement of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act until May 1. 1 in 2024, according to a release distributed by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and the Guardians Association.
Several parts of the federal program created by the Act went into effect in July, including the Track Safety Program. The HISA Safety and Integrity Agency’s Anti-Doping and Drug Control Program is scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2023.
Groups from Texas and from several other states are among those challenging the legality of HISA in court. Judgments from judges regarding separate legal cases are expected in the coming weeks or months.
“The administration has created uncertainty and harmed the horse racing industry,” Gooden said in the NHBPA statement. “State governments are best equipped to regulate their respective equestrian industries, and I will not stand idly by while the federal government once again promotes a one-size-fits-all approach.” all.”
It is unlikely that Gooden’s law could gain immediate traction with Congress in recess and before the start of a new Congress, known as a lousy session. The Remarkable Equestrian Safety and Integrity Act was passed with the support of several key congressional leaders, including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky .
Gooden is also a co-sponsor of the HISA legislation, although in a letter to HISA this summer briefed and published by the Texas Mixed Dog Association, he said he was aware that HISA was causing harm and problems. theme for the racing industry, especially in its home state.
HISA released a statement after the NHBPA’s release, saying it remained “focused on continuing to implement the Equestrian Integrity and Safety Act, which was signed into law by President Trump with the support of bipartisanship in 2020, according to the timeline set forth by Congress HISA’s Track, Safety Program has been in effect for more than three months, and HISA’s Drug and Anti-Doping Drug Control Program is underway in January 1, 2023. HISA is the law of the country and our role is to fully implement it according to the guidance of the law. It is our fee and we will comply.”
The agency is responsible for creating and implementing uniform safety and integrity rules for U.S. racing under the supervision of the Federal Trade Commission. The purpose of HISA’s ADMC program is to create a centralized audit and results management process and to apply uniform penalties for integrity violations. That program will be administered by Horseracing’s Welfare and Integrity Unit, established by Drug Free Sport International.
This summer, publish simulcast of Thoroughbred race in Texas at Lone Star Park terminated amid a conflict between the Texas Racing Commission and Texas that oversees HISA implementation. At the time, TRC chief executive Amy Cook questioned HISA’s readiness and claimed Texas law requires TRC to be involved in regulating all aspects of racing and betting. at Texas racetracks.
Critics of HISA, such as the NHBPA, argue that it creates red tape and additional costs without significant policy changes. Since the entry into force of HISA, confusion regarding state regulations and HISA has been blamed for periodic errors by racing officials.
“I speak for all of our members, whose livelihoods are determined by horse racing, when I speak,” said Eric Hamelback, Executive Director of National HBPA. that the introduction of this legislation is a welcome common sense.” “HISA’s implementation to date has been inconsistent, contradictory, confusing, burdensome, and difficult due to a failure to understand real-world conditions. A reasonable pause allowed for Texas horsemen. and nationally having time to work with HISA to fix these problems before further harm is done to everyone’s benefit We thank Representative Gooden for taking the first step this. “
The NHBPA said it will continue to work to ensure the enactment of this law forces HISA a reasonable pause in the US Senate.
