Congress dismantles federal horseracing oversight, returns control to states
S. 1770 — Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 · Filed by Tom Cotton (R-AR) · Introduced May 14, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill repeals the 2020 Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and replaces it with a new state-based system. It creates a Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO) governed by state racing commissions, establishes breed-specific committees to set medication and racetrack safety rules, and gives states the option to enforce these rules or delegate to the RHSO. The bill shifts regulatory authority from a federal model to an interstate compact structure, allowing states to opt in and control horseracing standards within their borders.
Why we flagged it
The bill dismantles centralized federal oversight (HISA 2020) and replaces it with a voluntary interstate compact model where states control enforcement and non-member states face only limited restrictions on interstate wagering. This is functionally a devolution of regulatory authority to state racing commissions and breed registries, reducing uniform national standards.
What the text implies
- Non-member states can conduct interstate off-track wagers on races in member states, creating a two-tier system where compliance is optional and enforcement gaps may emerge.
- State racing commissions may elect NOT to enforce RHSO rules, delegating to RHSO only if they choose—this creates enforcement discretion and potential inconsistency across states.
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
State racing commissions (reduced federal oversight, retained enforcement discretion); Breed registries (Jockey Club, US Trotting Association, American Quarter Horse Association); Racetracks in non-member states (ability to conduct interstate wagering without compliance)