On Tuesday, February 24, Senate Bill 352 was passed by the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. The bill will now be considered by the full senate. The legislation calls for regulatory changes to the oversight of the state’s horse racing industry.

According to a report by ellwoodcity.org, one element of the bill calls for the separate state commissions for Standardbred racing and Thoroughbred racing to be dissolved and a single oversight commission to be introduced.

The report has quoted the bill’s sponsor, Senator Elder Vogel, as saying, “We have seen the economic benefits of our racing industries. Purses, racing days, employees and horses operating at our tracks have all increased. At the same time, the regulation of the industry has become more expensive and complex. My bill makes a number of changes to licensure, fines, fees and the pari-mutual tax structure to properly fund regulatory oversight and drug testing.”

(With files from ellwoodcity.org)