Sec. 302. Racetrack Safety Committee
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/bill/119/hr/3378/ih/section-302·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
For the purposes of developing, updating, and implementing mandatory horseracing racetrack safety rules for covered horses, covered persons, and covered horseraces under this Act, the RHSO shall establish a Racetrack Safety Committee. The Committee shall— draft proposed rules with respect to racetrack safety for each horse breed competing in covered horseraces, in accordance with subsection (d); recommend such proposed rules to the Board; and for purposes of making such recommendations, obtain testimony or other documented comment from racetrack superintendents from each affected breed of covered horses.
The Committee shall be composed of 7 members as follows: Three such members shall be representatives of the equine industry, selected by the Board for their knowledge of racetrack safety, management, and maintenance. Four such members shall be appointed as follows: One member shall be appointed by the United States Trotting Association. One member shall be appointed by the American Quarter Horse Association. One member shall be appointed by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
One member shall be a racetrack superintendent appointed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term of each member of the Committee shall not exceed 3 years. Such term is renewable for an indefinite number of terms. For purposes of staggering the terms of appointment, the members first appointed under paragraph
(1)shall serve an initial term of 4 years. The chairperson of the Committee shall be elected annually from among the members of the Committee by majority vote of the Committee. Each member of the Committee shall— before accepting appointment as a member of the Committee, disclose any potential conflict of interest; and notify the full Board immediately upon engaging in any activity that the RHSO determines may be perceived as a conflict. A member of the Committee shall recuse himself or herself from discussion of any item at a meeting of the Committee if such discussion— relates to the direct financial interest of any member of the Committee; and does not apply to all covered horses within a breed. The Board may remove by majority vote a member of the Committee for— neglect of duty, unethical behavior, or malfeasance in office (including conduct determined by the Board to be injurious to the integrity of horseracing, such as contract violations and perjury); or conviction of a violation of a Federal or State civil or criminal law related to horseracing. In order to consider at a meeting any rule being proposed to the Board, the Committee shall have in attendance at such a meeting (either in person or remotely) a majority of members of the Committee. Not later than 90 days before the consideration of a proposed rule (or a modification to such a rule), the Committee shall hold an open meeting at which covered persons or their representatives may provide input. Not less than 45 days before the date on which the meeting referred to in paragraph
(1)is to be held, the agenda, location, and date of such meeting shall— be posted on the internet website of the RHSO; submitted to the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, the Harness Racing Medication Collaborative, and the American Quarter Horse Association Medication; and provided to any individual or entity requesting such information. If any input from a covered person (or a representative of a covered person) is provided during a meeting referred to in paragraph (1), or provided in writing, such input shall be transcribed and recorded and made part of the record of the Committee.