Bill · H.R. 3378· House(119-HR-3378)
Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/14/2025
- Last activity
- 5/14/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Clay Higgins
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 aims to protect the welfare of covered horses and improve racing integrity. It authorizes States to enter into an interstate compact to create the Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO). This organization will oversee breed-specific scientific medication control and racetrack safety rules. The bill also establishes committees to develop these standards and provides a framework for rule enforcement and administrative sanctions. By implementing these uniform rules, the Act seeks to enhance safety across the industry.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?+1
The bill facilitates interstate commerce via an interstate compact for racing regulation.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+1
The bill requires open meetings for the development of new rules.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+1
The bill explicitly includes provisions for adequate due process in its disciplinary proceedings.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
The bill imposes new regulatory costs and potential liabilities on racing industry participants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Horse Welfare: The Act establishes rules to ensure covered horses are free from the active pharmacological effect of medications and foreign substances that enhance performance (Section 202(c)(1)(A)). It also prohibits using medications to mask pain in injured horses (Section s202(c)(1)(C)).
-
Uniform Safety Standards: The bill creates breed-specific rules for medication and racetrack safety to ensure standards are tailored to the unique needs of each breed (Section 202(b)(1)(A) and Section 303(c)(1)(B)).
-
Increased Transparency and Accountability: The RHSO is required to hold open meetings regarding proposed rules (Section 101(c)(5)) and develop a nationwide database of racehorse safety, performance, and health information (Section 101(c)(8)).
-
Consumer and Industry Protection: The bill requires member States to treat the failure to disclose certain medications, like bisphosphonates, as an unfair or deceptive act or practice (Section 102(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial Burdens on States and Racing Commissions: Member States must pay initial startup costs and ongoing annual fees to the RHSO to fund breed-specific medication and safety rules (Section 101(d)(1) and Section 101(d)(2)).
-
Restrictions on Wagers: A host State that is not a member of the interstate compact is prohibited from allowing the interstate transmission of electronic signals for placing interstate off-track or advance deposit wagers (Section 4(c)(2)).
-
Strict Penalties and Sanctions: The Board has the authority to issue severe administrative sanctions, which may include lifetime bans from horseracing and monetary fines (Section 403(c)(1)). Additionally, trainers face a rebuttable presumption of liability for violations of scientific medication control rules (Section 402(b)(11)).
-
Regulatory Preemption: The rules established by the RHSO will preempt any existing State laws or regulations regarding the matters within the RHSO's jurisdiction (Section 102(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+1Improves Government Transparency+1Improves Interstate Commerce+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+1
- 4/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/14/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tom ColeRepublican · Oklahoma
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia