Bill > HB4347

This bill amends Michigan's Horse Racing Law of 1995 to modify several key provisions related to horse racing and the Michigan Agriculture and Equine Industry Development Fund. The bill introduces several significant changes, including expanding the definition of key terms like "eligible recipient" (which now includes individuals who are Michigan residents or businesses where over 51% is owned by Michigan residents), and adding new definitions for terms like "interstate simulcast" and "live horse race". The legislation increases funding minimums for various horse racing programs, particularly for standardbred and thoroughbred horse racing, with indexed annual adjustments for several funding categories. The bill eliminates previous provisions for quarter horse, Appaloosa, Arabian, and American paint horse programs, focusing instead on standardbred and thoroughbred racing support. It also enhances financial support for research, planning, and development in the equine industry, and ensures that fund allocations are more specifically tied to Michigan-based horse breeding and racing activities. The bill aims to encourage horse breeding in Michigan, support the agricultural and commercial benefits of the horse racing industry, and provide more structured financial support for horse racing programs and related research.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4347