U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which was included in the bipartisan FY 2021 appropriations funding bill. Gillibrand successfully led Democrats in pushing for this bipartisan legislation, which will create an independent regulatory authority to set national standards and increase safety protocols for thoroughbred racing, including medication use, track safety, and anti-doping measures.
“Horseracing has a long and rich tradition in New York. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act ensures that the sport will be safer for both horses and jockeys, have higher regulatory standards and oversight, and increases transparency,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This legislation will improve New York horseracing and usher in a new era in the sport.”
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was modeled from legislation previously introduced by Senator Gillibrand, the Horseracing Integrity Act.
The House of Representatives passed HISA in September, led by U.S. Congressmen Andy Barr (KY-06) and Paul Tonko (NY-20). Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) were original cosponsors in the Senate, along with Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The landmark bipartisan legislation is supported by almost 300 cosponsors in the House and Senate, and will directly address the safety and welfare of both racehorses and jockeys.