Horseracing Integrity Act of 2017

Horseracing Integrity Act of 2017

This bill establishes the Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority as an independent non-profit corporation with responsibility for developing and administering an anti-doping and medication control program for: (1) Thoroughbred, Quarter, and Standardbred horses that participate in horse races that have a substantial relation to interstate commerce, (2) such horse races, and (3) the personnel engaged in the care, training, or racing of such horses.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all horse racing anti-doping and medication control matters. The Authority and such FTC jurisdiction shall terminate if an interstate compact providing for services consistent with such program is established within five years after the program takes effect.

The Authority may enter into agreements with state racing commissions to implement the program within their jurisdictions.

Program elements shall include:

• anti-doping and medication control rules,
• lists of permitted and prohibited substances and methods,
• a prohibition on the administration of any such substance within 24 hours of a horse's next racing start, and
• testing and laboratory standards.

The Authority shall:

• develop, maintain, and publish such lists;
• establish a list of anti-doping and medication control rule violations applicable to either covered horses or persons;
• establish standards and the process for laboratory accreditation and sample testing; and
• promulgate rules for anti-doping and medication control results management, for the disciplinary process for violation results management, and for imposing sanctions for violations.

The bill sets forth civil enforcement provisions.

Activities under this bill are funded by an assessment placed on state racing commissions based on the calculation of cost per racing starter.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov