CHRI Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan “Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019”
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) these days announced its sturdy guide for the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019, added by U.S. Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Andy Barr (R-KY) earlier today. The bill, distinctive as H.R. 1754, would create a non-public, impartial horse racing anti-doping authority,
the Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority (HADA), chargeable for developing and administering a nationwide anti-doping and medication manipulation application for horse racing. HADA would be ruled through a board of six who established know-how in a selection of horseracing regions, six individuals from the USA Anti-Doping Agency, and its leader executive officer. USADA is recognized by way of Congress because of the reputable anti-doping corporation for the U.S. Olympic, Pan American, and Paralympic sports.
The new set of guidelines, trying out processes, and consequences could replace the contemporary patchwork of regulatory systems that govern horse racing’s 38 jurisdictions. Passage of this invoice will bring about a widespread boom in out-of-opposition checking out to help make ceof help sure of horses unfastened from performance-enhancing drugs throughout racing and schooling.
“This is a horse-first bill. This invoice will help ensure more secure surroundings for horses and riders at all tracks,” stated Shawn Smeallie, executive director of CHRI. “Representatives Tonko and Barr, together with their respective body of workers participants, have labored tirelessly in this regulation. Thanks to their efforts, this initiative has received the aid of key stakeholders across the industry and continues to gain momentum. We look forward to operating with other racing industry companies to make certain efficient legislative activity this year.”
H.R. 1754 is similar to the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2017 (H.R. 2651), also brought employing Reps. Barr and Tonko garnered the bipartisan guide of more than 130 representatives remaining in Congress. Joining the effort in 2019 are Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) are among the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus co-chairs. CHRI is optimistic that the regulation will flow via the committee technique this 12 months, building on this sturdy display of key lawmakers’ help.
“Horses need to race and train handiest while they’re loose from overall performance-enhancing drugs and now not on a cocktail of medications,” stated Marty Irby, government director of Animal Wellness Action. “We are proud of the key leaders within the horse racing enterprise and animal safety corporations that have come together in this bill.”