What does Preamble of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To protect the health and welfare of covered horses and improve the integrity and safety of horseracing,' aims to safeguard the health and welfare of horses. It seeks to enhance the integrity and safety of horseracing. The bill authorizes states to form an interstate compact. This compact would facilitate the development and enforcement of uniform medication control rules. It also enables the creation of uniform racetrack safety rules for each equine breed.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used in the Act Definitions include advance deposit wager, Board, breed registry, and covered horse Terms related to horseracing industry are defined, such as covered horserace, covered person, and trainer

What does REPEAL OF THE HORSERACING INTEGRITY AND SAFETY ACT OF 2020. of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 is repealed.

What does AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO INTERSTATE COMPACT. of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section authorizes Congress to consent to states entering into an interstate compact. A state may demonstrate consent by enacting a state law with a provision substantially similar to a specified form. Member states of the interstate compact may allow interstate transmission of electronic signals for off-track wagers. Non-member states are prohibited from allowing such interstate transmission. The term 'host State' is defined as the state where a horserace subject to an interstate wager takes place.

What does RACEHORSE HEALTH AND SAFETY ORGANIZATION. of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes the Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO). The RHSO is governed by a board of 9 members, with 5 members appointed by the 5 member States with the greatest number of racing days. The board has various duties, including adopting rules for scientific medication control and racetrack safety. The RHSO is funded through fees assessed by member States, with the amount of fees determined by the RHSO. The RHSO is responsible for selecting an accreditation body to conduct laboratory accreditation and testing standards.

What does ROLE OF STATES AND STATE RACING COMMISSIONS. of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

State racing commissions may elect to enforce rules within their state. If a state does not elect to enforce, the RHSO will enforce the rules. RHSO rules preempt state laws regarding matters within RHSO jurisdiction. Member states must have a statute treating certain horse sales as unfair or deceptive acts.

What does EXEMPTION FROM THE FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT. of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section exempts the Rural Housing and Support Organizations (RHSO) and its committees or subcommittees from the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The Federal Advisory Committee Act is found in chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.

What does SCIENTIFIC MEDICATION CONTROL COMMITTEES. of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes Scientific Medication Control Committees (SMCCs) for Standardbred, Quarter Horse, and Thoroughbred racing. Each SMCC is tasked with drafting proposed rules regarding scientific medication control for covered horses, persons, and horseraces. The SMCCs will recommend these proposed rules to the Board. Each SMCC will consist of seven members: three regulatory members appointed by the Board and four industry members appointed by relevant associations (United States Trotting Association, American Quarter Horse Association, National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association). Members appointed by industry associations must have significant experience in medication control or toxicology research, or hold a relevant doctorate. Specific qualifications require at least one member to be a mathematician/statistician, one an equine exercise physiologist, one an equine pharmacologist, and one an analytical chemist. Meetings of the SMCCs may be closed, except when adopting rules, which requires an open meeting with input from covered persons. The RHSO must post meeting agendas online and provide notice to relevant organizations. SMCCs are required to review existing state medication rules and research on medication thresholds. Each SMCC will elect a chairperson annually.

What does HORSERACING SCIENTIFIC MEDICATION CONTROL RULES. of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes rules for scientific medication control in horseracing, applying to covered horseraces, persons, and horses in member states, as well as horses and persons from non-member states seeking to race in member states. A scientific medication control committee is tasked with developing proposed rules using scientific methods, addressing specific topics outlined in subsection (c), and considering the unique characteristics of each breed. Until rules issued by the RHSO take effect, existing state rules regarding medication administration will remain in place. Covered horses must be free from the effects of medications and foreign substances, unencumbered by foreign substances or diseases, and unsound or injured horses cannot train or race. The use of medications to mask pain in injured or unsound horses is prohibited. Rules, standards, procedures, and protocols must be uniform within each breed of covered horse, and not applied to all breeds unless specifically adopted. Breed-specific rules will include permissible thresholds, medication withdrawal guidelines, and other breed-specific concerns. The rules outline the development of a list of permitted and prohibited medications, a review process for medication administration, and a plan for test distribution and sample collection.

What does DEFINITION OF COMMITTEE. of Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section defines the term 'Committee' within the context of this title. The 'Committee' is defined as the Racetrack Safety Committee. The Racetrack Safety Committee was established under section 302.

Back to bills

Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025

Last updated: 5/14/2025 · Introduced: 5/14/2025

Author: Clay Higgins (R-LA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill repeals the 2020 Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and authorizes states to form an interstate compact to standardize medication and racetrack safety rules.
It establishes a Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO) to govern the development and enforcement of these uniform rules, funded by fees from member states.
Scientific Medication Control Committees (SMCCs) are created for each major horse breed (Standardbred, Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred) to draft specific medication control rules.
The bill mandates racetrack safety rules, including accreditation standards and injury prevention protocols, to be developed and implemented by a Racetrack Safety Committee.
It prohibits certain actions, such as using nontherapeutic medications or intimidating those who report rule violations, and establishes a disciplinary process for rule infractions.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes