HISA-Alternative Legislation Introduced – BloodHorse

Horse racing industry groups that oppose the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act joined Congressman Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican, Sept. 26 to introduce the Racehorse Health and Safety Act to bring safety to the industry.

The bill is endorsed by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the United States Trotting Association, the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians, and others. The RHSA would establish an interstate compact to develop nationwide rules governing scientific medication control and racetrack safety for horse racing, replacing HISA, which the groups say is failing to bring safety to the industry.  

“I grew up on a horse ranch. I love horses, and the horse racing community is special to me,” Higgins said. “It’s part of who I am. While the federal government may have had good intentions in passing HISA, in practice it ended up obstructing best practices in the horse business. I will not sit by and allow horses to be harmed while government crushes the families that have built their lives around the horse racing industry.”

The bill would establish the Racehorse Health and Safety Organization, with a board of directors appointed by the state racing commissions. Five board members will be appointed by the racing commissions in the states with the most racing days, and four members will be appointed by racing commissions in the remaining states.

The RHSO Board would establish three Scientific Medication Control Committees, one for each racing breed: Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and Quarter Horses. Committee members will be selected by industry associations and the board. The RHSO Board will also establish one Racetrack Safety Committee comprised of board-appointed members and industry-appointed members that will recommend breed-specific rules to the board. 

The board would have the final say on all rules adopted, but it must justify its decisions with scientific evidence. Further, the RHSO will be granted the power to investigate rule violations, but the state racing commission of each participating state will retain enforcement power unless it requests the RHSO to assist with enforcement. Finally, the RHSO would be funded through annual fees from the participating state racing commissions, which will be specific to each breed. 

This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.