U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Monday announced plans to introduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would set national standards to increase safety, promote fairness, and help preserve thoroughbred horseracing.
Rep. Barr and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) this month will introduce the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in their chamber while Sen. McConnell plans to unveil the companion bill in the U.S. Senate, the lawmakers said during an Aug. 31 press conference held in Lexington, Ky., at the Keeneland Race Course.
“Now is the time for the horseracing industry to embrace change that will attract a new generation of fans and solidify the future of this special sport,” Rep. Barr said. “I want to thank Leader McConnell for his partnership on this effort and I look forward to moving this legislation across the finish line.”
Based largely on legislation introduced last year by Rep. Barr, the forthcoming bill will include standards for racing surfaces and safety, and will recognize the to-be-formed Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, which will be tasked with creating uniform national standards regarding prohibited and permitted substances for use in horses; setting up an accreditation system for labs to test drug test samples; and developing regional standards regarding racetrack safety, according to Rep. Barr’s office.
A consensus was reached recently among equine industry stakeholders to create the nationwide authority, Rep. Barr said.
“Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of work and negotiation to develop uniform racing standards under one independent regulatory body,” said Rep. Barr. “The future of the sport depends on fair competition, a level playing field across state lines, as well as the safety and welfare of our equine and human athletes.”
Both the agreed-upon proposal and the new bill build upon the bipartisan Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019, H.R. 1754, which Reps. Barr and Tonko introduced in March 2019 to create a new independent regulatory committee tasked with establishing industry-wide safety and competition standards. The measure has 255 additional cosponsors and the same-named S. 1820, introduced in the Senate in June 2019, has 25 cosponsors.
“I’m proud to be joined by prominent horseracing leaders in Kentucky as they take the courageous step to increase nationwide safety standards for horses, jockeys, trainers, breeders, and fans,” said Sen. McConnell. “I’m grateful to Congressman Andy Barr for his leadership on this issue in central Kentucky.”