Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1053
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 4-31; IC 25-38.1-4-5.5.
Synopsis: Horse racing. Specifies that the horse racing commission
(IHRC) may adopt rules that incorporate by reference the most current
version of the: (1) model rules; and (2) model rules concerning foreign
substances; adopted by the Association of Racing Commissioners
International. Removes the requirement that the IHRC appoint an
assistant director and provides that the director shall hire an assistant
director. Changes references to the horse racing tracks. Provides that
judges and stewards may suspend a license for not more than three
years on behalf of the IHRC. (Current law allows judges and stewards
to suspend a license for not more than one year on behalf of the IHRC.)
Provides that the suspension of a license or the imposition of certain
civil penalties must occur within 365 days (instead of 180 days) after
the date of the violation. Provides that a horse's veterinary medical
records and medical condition must be furnished within five business
days without written client authorization to the IHRC as part of an
investigation in which a horse under the care, control, or ownership of
a licensee has been treated by a veterinarian.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Manning
January 8, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Public Policy.
2025 IN 1053—LS 6212/DI 107 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1053
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
gaming.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 4-31-2.1-2.3 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
2 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
3 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2.3. "ARCI model rules" means
4 the most current version of model rules and standards, except as
5 provided in section 2.6 of this chapter, including penalties and
6 penalty classifications, that have been adopted by the Association
7 of Racing Commissioners International.
8 SECTION 2. IC 4-31-2.1-2.6 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
9 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
10 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2.6. "ARCI uniform classification
11 guidelines for foreign substances and recommended penalties
12 model rules" means the most current version of model rules and
13 standards concerning foreign substances, including penalties and
14 penalty classifications, that have been adopted by the Association
15 of Racing Commissioners International.
16 SECTION 3. IC 4-31-3-9, AS AMENDED BY P.L.93-2024,
17 SECTION 27, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
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1 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 9. Subject to section 14 of this chapter, the
2 commission may:
3 (1) adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this article,
4 including rules that incorporate by reference the ARCI model
5 rules and the ARCI uniform classification guidelines for
6 foreign substances and recommended penalties model rules
7 and rules that prescribe:
8 (A) the forms of wagering that are permitted;
9 (B) the number of races;
10 (C) the procedures for wagering;
11 (D) the wagering information to be provided to the public;
12 (E) fees for the issuance and renewal of:
13 (i) permits under IC 4-31-5;
14 (ii) satellite facility licenses under IC 4-31-5.5; and
15 (iii) licenses for racetrack personnel and racing participants
16 under IC 4-31-6;
17 (F) investigative fees;
18 (G) fines and penalties; and
19 (H) any other regulation that the commission determines is in
20 the public interest in the conduct of recognized meetings and
21 wagering on horse racing in Indiana;
22 (2) appoint employees and fix their compensation, subject to the
23 approval of the budget agency under IC 4-12-1-13;
24 (3) enter into contracts necessary to implement this article; and
25 (4) receive and consider recommendations from a development
26 advisory committee established under IC 4-31-11.
27 SECTION 4. IC 4-31-3-10, AS AMENDED BY P.L.217-2017,
28 SECTION 41, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
29 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 10. (a) The commission shall appoint a director
30 and an assistant director who serve serves at the pleasure of the
31 commission. The director and the assistant director must have a
32 background in the horse industry, a high level of management skills,
33 and previous experience with pari-mutuel horse betting administration.
34 (b) The director and the assistant director shall:
35 (1) attend all meetings of the commission;
36 (2) keep a complete record of the commission's proceedings;
37 (3) preserve at the commission's office all documents entrusted to
38 the commission's care; and
39 (4) perform other duties the commission prescribes; and
40 (5) hire an assistant director.
41 (c) The director may do the following:
42 (1) Negotiate an interstate compact that enables party states to act
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1 jointly and cooperatively to create more uniform, effective, and
2 efficient practices, programs, and rules concerning horse racing
3 and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing in the party states.
4 (2) Represent Indiana on a commission to negotiate an interstate
5 compact described in subdivision (1).
6 SECTION 5. IC 4-31-5-9, AS AMENDED BY P.L.165-2021,
7 SECTION 45, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
8 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 9. (a) The commission shall determine the dates
9 and (if the commission adopts a rule under subsection (c)) the number
10 of racing days authorized under each recognized meeting permit.
11 Except for racing at winterized tracks, a recognized meeting may not
12 be conducted after December 10 of a calendar year.
13 (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), the commission shall
14 require at least two hundred eighty (280) but not more than three
15 hundred thirty (330) total live racing days each calendar year combined
16 at both racetracks, as follows:
17 (1) At least one hundred sixty (160) but not more than one
18 hundred eighty (180) live racing days must be for standardbreds
19 to race at Hoosier Park. a licensed parimutuel horse racing
20 track located in Madison County.
21 (2) At least one hundred twenty (120) but not more than one
22 hundred fifty (150) live racing days must be for horses that are:
23 (A) mounted by jockeys; and
24 (B) run on a course without jumps or obstacles;
25 to race at Indiana Grand. a licensed parimutuel horse racing
26 track located in Shelby County.
27 The requirements of this subsection are a continuing condition for
28 maintaining the permit holder's permit. However, the requirements do
29 not apply if the commission determines that the permit holder is
30 prevented from conducting live horse racing as a result of a natural
31 disaster or another event over which the permit holder has no control.
32 (c) The commission may by rule adjust any of the following:
33 (1) The total required number of live racing days under subsection
34 (b).
35 (2) The number of live racing days required under subsection
36 (b)(1).
37 (3) The number of live racing days required under subsection
38 (b)(2).
39 (d) A permit holder may not conduct more than fourteen (14) races
40 on a particular racing day, unless authorized by the commission to
41 conduct additional races.
42 SECTION 6. IC 4-31-12-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.34-2006,
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1 SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
2 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) Except as permitted by the rules of the
3 commission, a horse participating in a race may not carry in its body
4 any foreign substance.
5 (b) The commission shall adopt the rules the commission considers
6 necessary to implement this section. Before adopting a rule with regard
7 to permitting the use of any medication, the commission shall consider
8 the ARCI model rules. approved by the Association of Racing
9 Commissioners International.
10 (c) In order to inform the racetrack patrons of those horses running
11 with medication, the permit holder shall indicate in the racing program
12 a horse that is racing with a medication permitted by the rules of the
13 commission.
14 SECTION 7. IC 4-31-13-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.210-2013,
15 SECTION 10, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
16 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The commission may adopt rules under
17 IC 4-22-2 to delegate to the stewards and judges of racing meetings
18 under the jurisdiction of the commission the power to conduct
19 disciplinary hearings on behalf of the commission. The stewards and
20 judges shall give at least twelve (12) hours notice of any such hearing.
21 The stewards and judges, on behalf of the commission, may impose one
22 (1) or more of the following sanctions against a licensee who violates
23 this article or the rules or orders of the commission:
24 (1) A civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).
25 (2) A temporary order or other immediate action in the nature of
26 a summary suspension if a licensee's actions constitute an
27 immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare.
28 (3) Suspension of a license held by the licensee for not more than
29 one (1) year. three (3) years. The suspension of a license under
30 this subdivision is:
31 (A) valid even though the suspension extends beyond the
32 period of the racing meeting for which the stewards and judges
33 have been appointed; and
34 (B) effective at all other racing meetings under the jurisdiction
35 of the commission.
36 (4) A rule that a person must stay off the premises of one (1) or
37 more permit holders if necessary in the public interest to maintain
38 proper control over recognized meetings.
39 (5) Referral of the matter to the commission for its consideration.
40 However, at least two (2) of the stewards or judges at a racing meeting
41 must concur in a suspension or civil penalty.
42 (b) Unless a suspension of a license or the imposition of a civil
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1 penalty under this section is appealed by the person sanctioned not
2 more than fifteen (15) days after being sanctioned, the suspension of a
3 license or the imposition of a civil penalty under this section must
4 occur within one hundred eighty (180) three hundred sixty-five (365)
5 days after the date of the violation.
6 (c) A suspension or civil penalty under this section may be appealed
7 to the commission. Judges and stewards imposing sanctions under this
8 section must prove the person's violation by a preponderance of the
9 evidence. The commission shall adopt rules establishing procedures for
10 appeals and stays of appeals. The commission shall conduct a hearing
11 on an appeal filed under this section as provided in IC 4-21.5.
12 SECTION 8. IC 25-38.1-4-5.5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.9-2014,
13 SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
14 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 5.5. (a) Each person who provides veterinary
15 medical services shall maintain medical records, as defined by rules
16 adopted by the board.
17 (b) Veterinary medical records include the following:
18 (1) Written records and notes, radiographs, sonographic images,
19 video recordings, photographs or other images, and laboratory
20 reports.
21 (2) Other information received as the result of consultation.
22 (3) Identification of any designated agent of the owner for the
23 purpose of authorizing veterinary medical or animal health care
24 decisions.
25 (4) Any authorizations, releases, waivers, or other related
26 documents.
27 (c) The client is entitled to a copy or summary of the veterinary
28 medical records. A veterinarian may charge a reasonable fee for
29 copying or summarizing the requested veterinary medical record. The
30 veterinarian may require that the request be in writing.
31 (d) Except as provided in subsections (e) and (f) or upon written
32 authorization of the client, an animal's veterinary medical record and
33 medical condition is confidential and may not be:
34 (1) furnished to; or
35 (2) discussed with;
36 any person other than the client or other veterinarians involved in the
37 care or treatment of the animal.
38 (e) An animal's veterinary medical records and medical condition
39 must be furnished within five (5) business days without written client
40 authorization under the following circumstances:
41 (1) Access to the records is specifically required by a state or
42 federal statute.
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1 (2) An order by a court with jurisdiction in a civil or criminal
2 action upon the court's issuance of a subpoena and notice to the
3 client or the client's legal representative.
4 (3) As part of an inspection or investigation conducted by the
5 board or an agent of the board.
6 (4) As part of a request from a regulatory or health authority,
7 physician, or veterinarian:
8 (A) to verify a rabies vaccination of an animal; or
9 (B) to investigate a threat to human or animal health, or for the
10 protection of animal or public health and welfare.
11 (5) As a part of an animal cruelty report and associated applicable
12 records that are part of an abuse investigation by law enforcement
13 or a governmental agency.
14 (6) To a law enforcement agency as part of a criminal
15 investigation.
16 (7) To the Indiana horse racing commission as part of an
17 investigation in which a horse under the care, control, or
18 ownership of a licensee (as defined in IC 4-31-2.1-19) has been
19 treated by the veterinarian or a member of the veterinarian's
20 staff.
21 (f) An animal's veterinary medical records and medical condition
22 may be furnished without written client authorization under the
23 following circumstances:
24 (1) To the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University,
25 the animal disease diagnostic laboratory, or a state agency or
26 commission. However, an animal's veterinary medical records
27 remain confidential unless the information is disclosed in a
28 manner allowed under this section.
29 (2) Veterinary medical records that are released by the board of
30 animal health when in the judgment of the state veterinarian the
31 disclosure is necessary or helpful in advancing animal health or
32 protecting public health.
33 (3) For statistical and scientific research, if the information is
34 abstracted in a way as to protect the identity of the animal and the
35 client.
36 (g) An animal's veterinary medical records must be kept and
37 maintained by the veterinarian for at least three (3) years after the
38 veterinarian's last encounter with the animal.
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