Howard’s horseracing regulation extension bill passes House
H.B. 2561 receives unanimous approval
Rep. Kristine C. Howard October 9, 2024 | 9:30 AM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, announced the House has unanimously approved her legislation (H.B. 2561) to prevent the end of horseracing in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 2561 would extend the temporary rules set forth by the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 and adopted by the State Horse Racing Commission. These temporary rules are due to expire in October 2025. Howard said that without her legislation, horseracing in Pennsylvania would cease. However, thanks to this bill, the regulations would be extended for three years to October 2028.
In 2020, the federal government created the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, which was to create uniform rules for horseracing across the country. However, that has not happened due to ongoing legal challenges. As a result, Pennsylvania established temporary regulations, which are due to expire next year.
“Sadly, the prior safety standards of racehorses in Pennsylvania were lacking and threatened the health of horses,” Howard said. “These standards adopted by the State Horse Racing Commission ensure horseracing is safe for the horses involved until the new federal requirements are known and can be incorporated into the industry. I thank my colleagues for uniting on this issue to keep these great standards in place, instead of allowing horseracing to fall by the wayside.”
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.