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WASHINGTON DC–OCTOBER 4, 2022–Today, Representative Lance Gooden (R-TX-05) introduced legislation in the United States House of Representatives that would delay the implementation date of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) from July 1, 2022, to January 1, 2024.

“I speak for all our membership, whose livelihood is determined by horse racing, when I say introduction of this legislation is a welcomed bit of common sense,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA). “HISA’s implementation so far has been inconsistent, contradictory, confusing, burdensome, and plagued by a failure to understand real world conditions. A reasonable pause giving horsemen in Texas and across the country time to work with HISA to fix these problems before any further harm is done serves everyone’s interest. We thank Representative Gooden for taking this first step.”

“The Authority has created uncertainty and harmed the horseracing industry,” said Representative Lance Gooden. “State governments are best equipped to regulate their respective horse racing industries and I will not stand idly by while the federal government once again pushes a one-size-fits-all approach.”

The NHBPA will continue to work diligently to secure the introduction of this legislation mandating a reasonable pause for HISA in the United States Senate with the goal that it may be enacted into law as quickly as possible.