Federal Legislative News
NEWS:
Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA)
The United States Trotting Association released the Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2023. Nationwide horsemen's associations received a single page summary of the proposed federal legislation. The RHSA Summary can be found here
Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was amended into S7877 on December 20, 2020 and was passed out of the Senate December 21, 2020 as part of the Omnibus Spending and COVID-19 Bill, the President signed into law December 27, 2020. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, 88 FR 27894 and Medication, Testing, and Enforcement Rules
12.10.20 Call for Action:
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act Bills (H. 1754 and S. 4547) were originally standalone Bills. The OHHA Provided detailed analysis for H. 1754 upon passage and referral to the Senate in October 2020. Click here for OHHA Opposition
Senate President Mitch McConnell represented these Bills would remain as standalone Bills to be discussed and decided upon their merits. December 9, 2020 we learned that Senator McConnell instead would amend S. 4547 into a likely to pass piece of legislation related to government funding or a nationwide COVID-19 stimulus as a Rider Bill.
The OHHA continues to oppose this legislation as applied to the Standardbred Racing Industy. The OHHA further opposes any effort to have this Bill be approved without proper industry and citizen input. Click here for OHHA June 15, 2018 opposition, and OHHA May, 2018 horsemen's call to action template letter
Here is a Word Doc letter template Members can use to contact our Ohio Senators and encourage them to stop this process and oppose S. 4547. Click here for the horsemen's template
H.R. 7883
Federal Legislation, H.R. 7883 was introduced by Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) July 30, 2020. The official title is, "To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary awards grants to States or State departments of agriculture for the purposes of providing support to agricultural fairs for losses sustained due to COVID-19."
H.R. 7883 would provide $500 million in Federal Agricultural Fair Rescue Grants to state, county, and local agricultural fairs that promote agribusiness products or expand agricultural markets through conservation programs, agricultural research, educational programs, or other events that encourage agriculture, horticulture, and the domestic arts.
The funding would provide much needed grants to states or state departments of agriculture based on the loss of attendance a state’s fairs have experienced in 2020 when compared to 2019. Those fairs that have faced the greatest financial hardship would receive priority.
Attached is a letter that provides the framework for each of you to send a letter or e-mail to your Representative asking them for their support of H.R. 7883. You can find the Representative in your District and details on how to e-mail or send a letter to them.