H.B. No. 1187
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the power of stewards or judges to impose penalties
  under the Texas Racing Act; providing penalties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 3.07(b), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The commission shall make rules specifying the
  authority and the duties of each official, including the power of
  stewards or judges to impose penalties for unethical practices or
  violations of racing rules.  A penalty imposed by the stewards or
  judges may include a fine of not more than $25,000 [$5,000], a
  suspension for not more than five years [one year], or both a fine
  and suspension.  Before imposing a penalty under this subsection,
  the stewards and judges shall conduct a hearing that is consistent
  with constitutional due process.  A hearing conducted by a steward
  or judge under this subsection is not subject to Chapter 2001,
  Government Code.  A decision of a steward or judge is subject to
  review by the executive director, who may modify the penalty.  A
  penalty modified by the executive director under this section may
  include a fine not to exceed $100,000 [$10,000], a suspension not to
  exceed five [two] years, or both a fine and a suspension.  A
  decision of a steward or judge that is not reviewed or modified by
  the executive director is a final decision.  Any decision of a
  steward or judge may be appealed under Section 3.08(a) of this Act
  regardless of whether the decision is modified by the executive
  director.
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a penalty imposed on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1187 was passed by the House on April
  3, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 3, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1187 was passed by the Senate on May
  8, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor