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S. 973 (113th): Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013

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The text of the bill below is as of May 16, 2013 (Introduced).

II

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 973

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 16, 2013

introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To improve the integrity and safety of interstate horseracing, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013 .

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Interstate off-track wager; horsemen's group; host racing association; off-track betting system

The terms interstate off-track wager, horsemen's group, host racing association, and off-track betting system have the meanings given those terms in section 3 of the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3002).

(2)

Veterinarian-client-patient relationship

The term veterinarian-client-patient relationship has the meaning of that term as used in the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the American Veterinary Medical Association (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act).

3.

Independent anti-doping organization for interstate horseracing

(a)

In general

There shall be an independent anti-doping organization with responsibility for ensuring the integrity and safety of horseraces that are the subject of interstate off-track wagers.

(b)

Duties

The duties of the independent anti-doping organization referred to in subsection (a) with respect to horseraces described in that subsection are the following:

(1)

Developing, publishing, and maintaining rules with respect to—

(A)

substances, methods, and treatments that may not be administered to a horse participating in such a horserace;

(B)

substances, methods, and treatments that may be administered to a horse participating in such a horserace in the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship; and

(C)

the use of substances, methods, and treatments permitted under subparagraph (B), including rules with respect to the period before a horserace (which may not be less than 24 hours before a horserace) during which a horse may no longer receive such substances, methods, and treatments.

(2)

Implementing programs relating to anti-doping education, research, testing, and adjudication to prevent any horse participating in a horserace described in subsection (a) from racing under the effect of any substance, method, or treatment that could affect the performance of the horse (other than a substance, method, or treatment described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) administered during a time period that is permitted under subparagraph (C) of that paragraph).

(3)

Excluding from participating in any horserace described in subsection (a) any person that the independent anti-doping organization or a State racing commission determines—

(A)

has violated a rule with respect to a substance, method, or treatment that may not be administered to a horse participating in such a horserace under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1);

(B)

has violated 3 or more times a rule with respect to a substance, method, or treatment permitted under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of that paragraph that has the ability to affect the performance of a horse; or

(C)

is subject to a suspension from horseracing activities by any State racing commission.

(c)

Deadline

The independent anti-doping organization referred to in subsection (a) shall publish the rules required by subsection (b) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d)

Suspension of exclusion period

The independent anti-doping organization referred to in subsection (a) may—

(1)

suspend a period of exclusion from participating in a horserace imposed on a person pursuant to subsection (b)(3) if the person provides substantial assistance to the organization or other persons that results in the discovery of—

(A)

a violation of a rule published under subsection (b) by another person; or

(B)

a violation of Federal or State law by another person; and

(2)

may reinstate all or part of a period of exclusion imposed on a person and suspended under paragraph (1) if the person fails to provide substantial assistance described in that paragraph.

(e)

Consultations

In developing, publishing, and maintaining rules under subsection (b)(1), the independent anti-doping organization referred to in subsection (a) may consult with State racing commissions, host racing associations, horsemen's groups, and other interested persons.

(f)

Transition rule with respect to furosemide

During the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the independent anti-doping organization referred to in subsection (a) shall permit the use of furosemide in a horse participating in a horserace described in subsection (a) if—

(1)

the horse is 3 years old or older; and

(2)

the use of furosemide—

(A)

complies with the requirements of the document entitled ARCI–011–020 Medications and Prohibited Substances published by the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc.; and

(B)

is within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

(g)

Designation of organization

The independent anti-doping organization designated pursuant to section 701 of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 (21 U.S.C. 2001) shall serve as the independent anti-doping organization referred to in subsection (a).

4.

Consent required for acceptance of interstate off-track wagers

(a)

In general

On and after the date of the enactment of this Act, a host racing association may conduct a horserace that is the subject of an interstate off-track wager, and an interstate off-track wager may be accepted by an off-track betting system, only if consent is obtained from the independent anti-doping organization referred to in section 3(a).

(b)

Requirement for agreement

(1)

In general

A host racing association shall obtain the consent required by subsection (a) of the independent anti-doping organization referred to in section 3(a) pursuant to an agreement entered into between the association and the organization that specifies the terms and conditions relating to such consent, including—

(A)

compliance with the rules published under section 3(b); and

(B)

payments to the organization to defray the costs of carrying out the duties of the organization under this Act.

(2)

Defrayal of costs

The independent anti-doping organization referred to in section 3(a) shall ensure that all of the costs incurred by the organization in carrying out the duties of the organization under this Act are defrayed pursuant to agreements entered into under paragraph (1).