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Pennsylvania State Senate
04/19/2024 11:46 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=15688
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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 9, 2014 10:02 AM
From: Senator Elder A. Vogel, Jr.
To: All Senate members
Subject: Amending the Race Horse Industry Reform Act
 

I intend to re-introduce SB 1188 of the 2013/2014 legislative session amending the Race Horse Industry Reform Act of 1981 (RHIR). Last session this bill passed the Senate unanimously.

The act, responsible for the oversight of the racing industries in Pennsylvania, has not be updated in over twenty years despite drastic changes in the way game is funded, raced and regulated. This legislation will bring the Race Horse Industry Reform Act into the 21st Century.

Currently, the State Racing and Harness Racing Commissions are each comprised of three members as an administrative body under the Department of Agriculture; this proposal dissolves both commissions. This proposal will re-establish the function of regulatory oversight of the racing industry within a new commission comprised of five members appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate.

Since the inception of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, we have seen the economic benefits of our racing industries. Purses, racing days, employees and horses operating at our tracks have all increased. The regulation of the industry has gotten expensive and complex, but now more important than ever. Sadly, live handle (money wagered on our tracks for our horses) has decreased which is the sole funding source for the enforcement of the RHIR. This legislation will make a number of changes to licensure, fines, fees and the pari-mutual tax structure to properly fund regulatory oversight and drug testing.

Cosponsors last session include Senators: ALLOWAY, ERICKSON, McILHINNEY, MENSCH, PILEGGI, RAFFERTY, SCARNATI, TOMLINSON, VULAKOVICH, WHITE, YAW AND YUDICHAK.

Please join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation which will help ensure the continued prosperity, integrity and oversight of Pennsylvania’s racing industry.

If you have any questions or required further information, please contact Mike Rader at 717-787-3076.


Introduced as SB352