HISA Submits Proposed Enforcement and Registration Rule Changes to FTC
September 27, 2023 (Lexington, KY) – The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has submitted proposed changes to its Enforcement Rules (Rule Series 8000) and Registration Rules (Rule Series 9000) to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for review. Red-lined documents noting these proposed changes are available for download at the links below. The FTC will subsequently post the proposed rules to the public register for public comment.
- DOWNLOAD: Redlined proposed changes – Enforcement Rules (Rule Series 8000)
- DOWNLOAD: Redlined proposed changes – Registration Rules (Rule Series 9000)
Until changes to the Enforcement Rules and Registration Rules are approved by the FTC, the previously approved version of these rules will remain in place. Those rules are available in full on HISA’s Regulations Page.
HISA’s proposed changes to the Enforcement and Registration Rules were developed after dialogue with and feedback from racing participants across the country. Proposed redline changes to the Enforcement and Registration Rules were also published on HISA’s website for industry input. The proposed changes submitted to the FTC today were reviewed and approved by HISA’s Board of Directors.
When and if these rule changes are approved by the FTC, HISA will undertake robust educational efforts to ensure horsemen nationwide are fully aware of these changes and well-equipped to comply with them before they go into effect.
Proposed changes to HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program (Rule Series 2000) were submitted to the FTC for review last week, and proposed changes to HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules (Rule Series 1000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000) are available now for industry and public input on HISA’s website and will be submitted to the FTC for review later this fall.
About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
When the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law, it charged the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) with drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA is implementing, for the first time, a national, uniform set of rules applicable to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. HISA is comprised of two programs: the Racetrack Safety Program, which went into effect on July 1, 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which went into effect on May 22, 2023.
The Racetrack Safety Program includes operational safety rules and national racetrack accreditation standards that seek to enhance equine welfare and minimize equine and jockey injury. The Program expands veterinary oversight, imposes surface maintenance and testing requirements, enhances jockey safety, regulates riding crop use and implements voided claim rules, among other important measures.
The ADMC Program includes a centralized testing and results management process and applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms are administered by an independent agency, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFS). HIWU oversees testing, educates stakeholders on the Program, accredits laboratories, investigates potential ADMC violations and prosecutes any such violations.
MEDIA CONTACT
Mandy Minger
917-846-8804