BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1187

By: Thompson, Senfronia

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the current penalties for violating the Texas Racing Commission's drug enforcement policies have not been increased since they were first enacted almost 30 years ago.  H.B. 1187 seeks to align these penalties with current monetary values and provide the commission authority to enforce stiffer penalties for unethical practices or violations of the Texas Racing Commission racing rules.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1187 amends the Texas Racing Act to increase from $5,000 to $25,000 the maximum fine and from one year to five years the maximum suspension that may be included in a penalty imposed by a racing steward or racing judge for unethical practices or violations of the Texas Racing Commission racing rules. The bill increases from $10,000 to $100,000 the maximum fine and from two years to five years the maximum suspension that may be included in such a penalty that has been modified after review by the executive director of the racing commission.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.