1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to agriculture; establishing a residency pilot program for certain racehorses;
1.3 requiring awards and grants; transferring money; appropriating money; proposing
1.4 coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 17.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [17.4595] THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE RESIDENCY, AFTERCARE,
1.7AND BENEVOLENCE PILOT PROGRAM.
1.8 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
1.9the meanings given.
1.10 (b) "Account" means the thoroughbred racehorse pilot program account established in
1.11subdivision 7.
1.12 (c) "Racetrack" means a class A racetrack that primarily conducts thoroughbred and
1.13quarter horse racing and is licensed by the Minnesota Racing Commission under chapter
1.14240.
1.15 (d) "Racing day" and "racing season" have the meanings given in section 240.01.
1.16 Subd. 2.Establishment.The commissioner of agriculture must establish and administer
1.17a thoroughbred racehorse residency, aftercare, and benevolence pilot program to stimulate
1.18the state's agricultural and equine industries and support the mental health and education
1.19of racetrack stable workers and their local communities.
1.20 Subd. 3.Minnesota resident thoroughbred registry.(a) Beginning in calendar year
1.212025, the commissioner of agriculture must compile and maintain a voluntary registry of
1.22thoroughbred racehorses that resided at a racetrack for at least 120 days during the previous
1Section 1.
REVISOR BD/RC 25-0397202/17/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 1540
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION 2.1calendar year. Once registered under this subdivision, a thoroughbred racehorse's registration
2.2does not expire.
2.3 (b) No later than February 15 each year, the owner of a thoroughbred racehorse seeking
2.4initial registration under this section must apply to the commissioner of agriculture in the
2.5form required by the commissioner. Each applicant must pay a nonrefundable application
2.6fee of $100 and demonstrate to the commissioner's satisfaction that the thoroughbred
2.7racehorse satisfied the residency requirement under paragraph (a) during the previous
2.8calendar year. The commissioner must deposit application fees collected under this
2.9subdivision in the account.
2.10 Subd. 4.Residency awards.(a) In calendar years 2026 and 2027, by the end of each
2.11racing day, a racetrack must award $750 to the current owner of a thoroughbred racehorse
2.12registered under this section if the registered thoroughbred racehorse started a race at the
2.13racetrack that racing day.
2.14 (b) No later than November 15, 2026, and November 15, 2027, the commissioner of
2.15agriculture must fully reimburse a racetrack for each award issued under paragraph (a)
2.16during the previous racing season. A racetrack must apply to the commissioner for
2.17reimbursement in the form required by the commissioner.
2.18 Subd. 5.Repurposing grants.Beginning in calendar year 2026, the commissioner of
2.19agriculture must award grants to national thoroughbred accredited organizations,
2.20organizations approved by the Minnesota Racing Commission, and college and university
2.21equine programs based in this state to provide retraining or repurposing services for retired
2.22thoroughbred racehorses registered under this section.
2.23 Subd. 6.Mental health and education grants.Beginning in calendar year 2026, the
2.24commissioner of agriculture must award grants to organizations that develop or deliver
2.25mental health and educational services to the stable workers of a racetrack or to others in
2.26the racetrack's local community.
2.27 Subd. 7.Account; appropriation.(a) A thoroughbred racehorse pilot program account
2.28is established in the agricultural fund.
2.29 (b) Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner of
2.30agriculture for grants and residency awards under this section. Of the amount appropriated
2.31each year, the commissioner of agriculture must allocate at least $500,000 for repurposing
2.32grants under subdivision 5 and at least $500,000 for mental health and education grants
2.33under subdivision 6.
2Section 1.
REVISOR BD/RC 25-0397202/17/25 3.1 (c) Application fee revenue collected by the commissioner of agriculture under
3.2subdivision 3 and deposited in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of agriculture
3.3for purposes of administering this section.
3.4 Subd. 8.Expiration.This section expires July 1, 2028.
3.5 Sec. 2. TRANSFER.
3.6 $7,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is transferred from the general fund to the thoroughbred
3.7racehorse pilot program account in the agricultural fund. This is a onetime transfer.
3Sec. 2.
REVISOR BD/RC 25-0397202/17/25