Congressman Clay Higgins has introduced a new bill, the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), in an effort to address concerns related to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). Senator Tom Cotton has put forward similar legislation in the Senate.
The RHSA aims to protect racing horses’ health and welfare while improving horse racing’s integrity and safety. The move comes after HISA, enacted in 2020 through an omnibus bill, faced criticism for its wide-ranging rules enforced by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Congressman Higgins opposed HISA from its inception due to various legal challenges it encountered, including incidents like the death of 12 horses at Churchill Downs.
The proposed Racehorse Health and Safety Act intends to repeal HISA, allowing states to form interstate compacts for developing nationwide rules on scientific control and racetrack safety. It would also establish the Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO) to regulate the industry and create three Scientific Medication Control Committees (SMCCs) for drafting breed-specific rules.
Congressman Higgins stated, “Government overreach is impacting industries across our nation with rules in places where they have no business being. The well-intentioned disaster of HISA proved that enforcing uniformed rules in horse racing plagues the industry with confusion and disruption.” He emphasized that the legislation is informed by science and industry expertise, aiming to protect both horsemen and horses from federal oversight.
Senator Cotton expressed support for RHSA, noting it will offer flexibility to horse owners and racetracks while ensuring safe regulation within the industry.
