Bill > AB2177

This bill aims to improve equine medication, welfare, and safety in the horse racing industry in California. The key provisions include: - Requiring the California Horse Racing Board to adopt rules and regulations for the welfare and safety of horses used for racing, and to convene a panel of independent veterinarians and stewards to review horses' medical, training, and racing histories and deem them unfit to race if necessary. - Mandating certain infrastructure and safety measures for licensed racetracks with an average daily handle of $1.5 million or more, such as installing cameras in horse stalls, providing on-site CT scanning equipment, and establishing an on-site central pharmacy to dispense medications. - Prohibiting the administration of medications to horses engaged in racing activities unless it is to treat a specific medical condition diagnosed by a veterinarian within a valid patient relationship. - Requiring all medications at racetracks to be dispensed through an on-site central pharmacy, limiting the amount of medications given to the minimum needed. - Suspending or revoking the license of trainers with multiple medication violations or following the death of a horse during racing or training. - Directing all penalty revenues towards horse welfare and safety measures, which must be publicly disclosed by the Board. - Expanding veterinary record-keeping and inspection requirements to improve oversight and transparency.

Government Affairs

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB2177