§ 704. Research proposals. 1. The committee shall consider the need,
priority and potential success of research proposals in determining
those bearing the most potential benefit to the equine industry in this
state.

2. Individuals and institutions eligible for research grants from such
funds shall submit to the committee their proposals for the conduct of
research projects to be supported by such grants.

3. Each such proposal shall include a complete description of the
proposed project, a detailed budget for the same, the personnel
conducting the project, and a time schedule for the project with an
explanation of any contingencies included in the description.

4. The committee shall cause all such proposals to be transmitted
within five days of receipt, to the commission.

5. The committee may, in its discretion, cause such proposals to be
reviewed by one or more experts in the field or related research and may
approve, disapprove or recommend changes to such projects.

6. The committee's approval, disapproval and/or recommendations with
regard to each proposal or its adoption of a budget shall be sent to the
commission.

* 7. (a) The moneys appropriated or transferred to the fund from the
general fund of the state treasury pursuant to subdivision one-a of
section seven hundred three of this article shall be expended for a
three-year research project conducted pursuant to an agreement between
the dean of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and
the executive director of the commission. Such agreement shall, at a
minimum, require the following:

(i) proposed research to identify the incident of fetlock fractures
and pre-fracture pathology in thoroughbred racehorses, with and without
lameness;

(ii) proposed research to determine the sensitivity and specificity of
standing computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and magnetic
resonance imaging of thoroughbred racehorses compared to that of digital
radiographs;

(iii) use of photo-counting computed tomography and high field
magnetic resonance imaging to further define early bone pathology in
thoroughbred racehorses that suffer fatal fractures of the fetlock
joint, to further characterize blood biomarker findings in healthy and
clinically lame horses in a large population of thoroughbred racehorses;

(iv) attempted refinement of a risk factor index for fatal
musculoskeletal injury for thoroughbred racing based on epidemiological
findings, preliminary scanning technology, clinical examination, and
advance imaging; and

(v) that an annual update shall be provided to the governor, temporary
president of the senate, and speaker of the assembly regarding the
progression of the research project. Such annual update to the governor,
temporary president of the senate, and speaker of the assembly shall be
due no later than December first each year. The final report outlined in
paragraph (c) of this subdivision shall satisfy the annual report
requirement outlined in this subparagraph for the last year of the
study.

(b) The moneys appropriated or transferred to the fund from the
general fund of the state treasury pursuant to subdivision one-a of
section seven hundred three of this article may be used to purchase
equipment and fund staffing needs necessary to carry out the research
tasks specified in paragraph (a) of this subdivision.

(c) A final report that describes the results of the research project
shall be provided to the governor, the temporary president of the
senate, the speaker of the assembly, the commission, the franchised
corporation, and any entity licensed pursuant to article two of this
chapter. Such final report shall include, at a minimum:

(i) an accounting of all expenditures related to the research project
outlined in this subdivision, including expenditures for equipment,
supplies, personnel, operations, and administration;

(ii) a description of the procedures for selecting horse participants
in the research project outlined in this subdivision, including criteria
for selection and any screening or eligibility requirements; and

(iii) a summary of findings gathered from the research project
outlined in this subdivision, including an analysis of risk factors
contributing to racehorse injuries and conclusions drawn regarding
safety protocols.

(d) The researcher may also make recommendations for changes to any
existing rules or regulations that the researcher may determine would be
helpful toward maintaining the health of the equine athlete.

(e) To the extent practicable, screenings and advanced imaging
services conducted pursuant to this agreement may be conducted near
racetracks at both Belmont and Saratoga.

(f) (i) Screenings and advanced imaging services of horses enrolled in
the research project shall be offered to horsemen free of charge.

(ii) Subject to availability, Cornell Ruffian may provide screenings
and imaging services for New York horses that are not enrolled in the
research project. Cornell Ruffian may only charge such owners and
trainers its actual costs for any screening or imaging service provided
to such non-enrolled horse.

(iii) Cornell Ruffian shall have no responsibility to interpret or
analyze the results of any scan or advanced image provided to an owner
or trainer of a non-enrolled horse.

(iv) For purposes of this paragraph, a New York horse is a horse that
has been stabled in New York for four of the six months immediately
preceding the date of the screening or advance imaging.

(v) The costs charged associated with screenings and advanced images
authorized pursuant to this subparagraph shall be included in the annual
update outlined in subparagraph (v) of paragraph (a) of this
subdivision.

(g) Any screening and imaging equipment purchased pursuant to this
subdivision shall be owned by the Cornell University College of
Veterinary Medicine.

* NB Repealed September 1, 2028