BILL NUMBER: S6221

SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and
breeding law and the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the
notification of responsible and humane retirement of horses to trainers
and owners

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

An act to amend the racing, pari-mutual wagering arid breeding law and
the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the notification of
responsible and humane retirement of horses to trainers and owners

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Amendment that requires any owner or trainer to complete an online
training course. Any owner or trainer that is required to be licensed
pursuant to this chapter, shall complete an online training course,
established pursuant to subdivision forty-seven of section sixteen of
the agriculture and.markets law, detailing the responsibilities of the
              

owner and trainer as a condition of such license.

Amend agriculture and markets law by adding two new subdivisions:
establish educational material regarding the responsible and humane
retirement of horses which shall be distributed by equine veterinarians
of the state; and, establish an online training course to be adminis-
tered to owners and training detailing the responsibilities of such
owners and trainers, including the responsible and humane retirement of
race horses.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Lake Research Partners claim 80 percent of Americans oppose horse
slaughter. Not only is it expensive to taxpayers but it has proven to be
inhumane and a danger to communities across the country. The FDA does
not regulate horses as food animals since they receive numerous types of
medication throughout their lives and kill buyers cannot know their
medical history. Additionally, horse slaughterhouses prove a great
threat to the environment - nuisance odors, chronic sewer and environ-
mental violations, and the inability for horses' blood to break down due
to certain antibiotics prevents slaughterhouses from using their blood
and organs for dry blood mill.

Owners and trainers of horses accept the responsibility to humanely care
for and train their animals. As such, this responsibility needs to be
continued until the end of the horse's life. The New York State Task
Force on Retired Racehorses has recommended a number of legislative and
regulatory actions to better care for the animal and communities
involved. The Task Force is adamant that owners and trainers be
instilled with a responsibility to care for their horses throughout
their entire lifespan, which will be encouraged and mandated through
suggested educational material.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: A3717 Referred to Racing and Wagering

2015-16: Referred to racing and wagering
2014: A8988 - referred to Racing and Wagering.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that section
two of this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law; the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its
effective date is authorized to be made and completed on or before such
effective date.