On Thursday, May 15, Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03), Rep. Don Davis (NC-01) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) reintroduced the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), touted as a bipartisan, bicameral effort to deliver a constitutional solution to safety regulation in the United States horse racing industry.
The legislation is backed by industry organizations representing tens of thousands of horsepeople and is endorsed by the United States Trotting Association (USTA), National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA), North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians (NAARV) and others.
The RHSA would establish an interstate compact to develop nationwide rules governing scientific medication control and racetrack safety for horse racing. The RHSA would replace the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 (HISA), which has been found unconstitutional by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and awaits a decision on whether the Supreme Court will take up the case.
“Government should be a partner to Americans, not a predator," said Rep. Clay Higgins. "While the federal government initially passed HISA with the intention of bringing uniformity to the horse racing industry, it proved to be a well-intentioned disaster that plagued the industry with confusion and disruption. The Racehorse Health and Safety Act is a solution to the problem. It is rooted in science and draws from industry experts. It is of horsemen, by horsemen, and for horsemen. This legislation protects horses and horsemen while reasserting state sovereignty and pushing back against federal oppression.”
“Congress must prioritize the establishment of equitable and consistent standards within the horse racing industry," said Rep. Don Davis. "In pursuit of this, we are supporting legislation that promotes improved safety regulations through a thoughtful and pragmatic framework.”
Sen. Tom Cotton stated, “The RHSA will provide horse owners and racetracks flexibility, while also bringing safe and effective regulation to the horse racing industry.”
The RHSA establishes the Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO), with a Board of Directors appointed by the state racing commissions. Five board members will be appointed by the racing commissions in the states with the most racing days and four members will be appointed by racing commissions in the remaining states.
The RHSO Board will establish three Scientific Medication Control Committees, one for each racing breed: Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds and Quarter Horses. Committee members will be selected by industry associations and the Board. The RHSO Board will also establish one Racetrack Safety Committee comprised of board- and industry-appointed members that will recommend breed-specific rules to the Board. The Board will have the final say on all rules adopted, but it must justify its decisions with scientific evidence.
Further, the RHSO will be granted the power to investigate rule violations, but the state racing commission of each participating state will retain enforcement power unless it requests the RHSO to assist with enforcement.
Finally, the RHSO will be funded through annual fees from the participating state racing commissions, which will be specific to each breed. Because enforcement will be returned to state racing commissions, the RHSA will drastically reduce the fees placed on horsepeople.
States will have two years to decide whether to participate in the compact, but only participating states will be allowed to export simulcast signals for interstate, offsite betting. The RHSA would repeal HISA in its entirety.
In addition to being found unconstitutional twice by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, HISA proved ineffective in other ways, according to RHSA backers.
In 2024, HISA’s enforcement arm came under fire for punishing innocent owners and trainers for miniscule amounts of substances in a horse that have no effect on its performance or health. More than 1,000 horsepeople signed a petition by the National HBPA to the Federal Trade Commission to require HISA to establish no-effect thresholds, which would ensure that respected horsepeople do not have their reputations and careers ruined over incidental exposures to everyday substances.
“The RHSA is a commonsense bill that is beneficial for both harness racing and Standardbreds,” said Russell Williams, president of the USTA. “It achieves the goal of rule uniformity while respecting the unique characteristics of different racing breeds. Above all, it embraces the principle that the welfare of the horse must always come first. The USTA is proud to endorse this important legislation.”
“As a veterinarian, I believe the Racehorse Health and Safety Act is a critical step toward ensuring a scientifically sound and constitutionally valid regulatory framework for horse racing,” stated Doug Daniels, DVM and president of the National HBPA. “We must prioritize equine health and welfare through veterinary, evidence-based research into medication control and racetrack safety standards. The RHSA will provide the industry with the stability it needs. It is our responsibility — as horsemen, veterinarians and racing commissions — to collaborate in protecting both the integrity of the sport and the welfare of our human and equine athletes.”
“The North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians fully supports the Racehorse Health and Safety Act,” said Dr. Nicholas Meittinis, president of the NAARV. “The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is a deeply flawed institution — one that not only harms the industry but also restricts veterinarians from providing the best possible care to their equine athletes.”
With the Grand Circuit underway and first-time graded stakes scheduled in harness racing, the efforts will continue to encourage other congressional leaders and stakeholders to step up to the starting gate alongside Reps. Higgins and Davis and Sen. Cotton and race to support an industry in urgent need.
National groups in support include: National Horsemen Benevolent and Protective Association (National HBPA); United States Trotting Association (USTA); and North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians (NAARV). State/regional groups in support include: Alabama HBPA; Arkansas HBPA; Arizona HBPA; Charles Town HBPA, West Virginia; Delaware Standardbred Owners Association; Finger Lake HBPA, New York; Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association; Harness Horse Association of Central New York; Harness Horsemen’s Association of New England; Illinois Harness Horseman Association; Illinois HBPA; Indiana HBPA; Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, Pennsylvania; Minnesota Harness Racing, Inc.; Minnesota HBPA; Monticello Harness Horsemen’s Association, Inc., New York; Nebraska HBPA; Oregon HBPA; Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association; Pennsylvania HBPA; Standardbred Owners Association of New York; Tampa Bay HBPA, Florida; Virginia HBPA; Washington HBPA; and Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association.
(With files from USTA)