82R21024 KYF-D
By: Hilderbran H.B. No. 254
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 254:
By: Kuempel C.S.H.B. No. 254
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing the Texas Derbies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's
Texas Civil Statutes) is amended by adding Article 9A to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 9A. TEXAS DERBIES
Sec. 9A.001. TEXAS DERBIES. (a) The commission shall
establish as Texas Derbies the following annual stakes races:
(1) one race open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds;
(2) one race open only to three-year-old Texas-bred
Thoroughbreds;
(3) one race open to three-year-old quarter horses;
and
(4) one race open only to three-year-old Texas-bred
quarter horses.
(b) For a Texas Derby open only to Texas-bred horses, the
respective official state breed registries and the official
horsemen's organization shall develop:
(1) the race conditions and entrance qualifications;
and
(2) the preference system used to determine the race
finalists.
(c) Each class 1 racetrack that is awarded a Texas Derby
that is not limited to Texas-bred horses shall develop for the
derby:
(1) the race conditions and entrance qualifications;
and
(2) the preference system used to determine the race
finalists.
(d) The race conditions and qualifications and preference
systems developed for the Texas Derbies under Subsection (b) or (c)
of this section are subject to review and approval by the executive
secretary.
(e) The commission shall set the date of and the location
for each Texas Derby. Each Texas Derby must be held annually at the
class 1 racetrack determined by the commission. The commission
shall determine the location of each Texas Derby in consultation
with:
(1) each class 1 racetrack;
(2) the official state breed registries; and
(3) the official horsemen's organization.
(f) The date of the initial Texas Derby may not be earlier
than January 1, 2015. This subsection expires January 1, 2016.
Sec. 9A.002. INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION OF HORSE. (a) For
each Texas Derby, the commission shall appoint a state veterinarian
to conduct a prerace examination of each horse entered in the race
to determine whether the horse is healthy and meets standards set by
commission rule for racing.
(b) The examination may include any procedure that the state
veterinarian considers necessary to make the determination
required by Subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The examination may be conducted at any time before the
race.
Sec. 9A.003. TEXAS DERBY ESCROW PURSE FUND. The commission
shall establish a Texas Derby escrow purse fund.
SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 9A.003, Texas Racing Act
(Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), as added by this
Act, the Texas Racing Commission may not contribute any money to the
Texas Derby escrow purse fund before January 1, 2015.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.