As Many Questions As Answers On Eve Of HISA Implementation

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act is going into effect on Friday. It was signed into law a year and a half ago. The implementation has been staggered, with the anti-doping and medication control arm of the program pushed back to early next year, and other features pushed forward a month. Four U.S. Senators have asked the Authority about the legality of this staggered approach. There are still a lot of horses that need to be registered. Some of HISA's key safety rules go into force on the first Friday of July.

HISA's first-year operating budget is about $14.3 million. The state commissions decide whether to opt in or out of collecting and remitting fees for the program.

California, Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota and Virginia have chosen to fund their portion of HISA.

California owes $1.4 million to the HISA Authority for calendar year 2022. Kentucky owes about $ 1.28 million. Colorado's Division of Racing stepped up to pay it out of their own budget. The process for how and when the KHRC will assess the new fees has not been finalized.

Minnesota is still evaluating the mechanism for collecting fees. Virginia Racing Commission will pay its share out of its operating fund. New York Thoroughbred Horseman's Association and the New Yorkers Racing Association have agreed to split the cost. The Maryland industry has historically divided joint expenses 50% track, 44% horsemen and 6% Bred Fund. Gulfstream Park has yet to settle on the final method of fee collection.   for the HISA assessment for 2022, the stakeholders have already agreed on a formula. No individuals will be assessed or charged with starter fees, according to Thirteenth Horsemen's Assocation.

Key portions of the racetrack safety program are scheduled to go into effect on Friday.

There are 15 states that have signed a voluntary agreement with HISA. The New York State Gaming Commission has not. It's unclear who will be responsible for the new safety-related duties. As of Friday, a number of prohibited practices go into effect. The Authority did not respond to questions about the possible sanctions in the event of a prohibited practice violation. They did, however, answer questions on the number and number that they have enough staff to accommodate the needs in states. Some states may have entered into some kind of agreement without the knowledge of the Association of Racetrack Commissioners International.