Government Relations Committee THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL
by Jane Seigler, MHC Government Relations Committee Co-Chair T e 446th
session of the Maryland General Assembly kicked off at noon
on January 10. If you are troubled by the math (2024 - 446 = 1578), that’s because the count includes “regular” and “special” sessions. “Regular” ses- sions are the scheduled, 90 day, January to April, sessions every year. “Spe- cial” sessions are (usually summer-time) sessions that are convened to deal with critical issues that were unresolved during the regular session, were created by a gubernatorial veto of a particular piece of legislation that was passed by the legislature, or that cropped up after the session concluded. If it’s like most, this session will showcase tension, drama, great exulta-
tion, bitter disappointment, and boredom, in more or less equal measures, with the occasional bit of comic relief. T is session will be a bit unlike most recent sessions, though, because the
spigot of federal pandemic money has run dry, and the state is facing seri- ous budget challenges, exacerbated not just by the disappearance of federal pandemic funds, but also by such factors as the need to fund the ambitious and expensive “Blueprint” for improvement of the statewide education sys- tem that was adopted a few years back, and by the decline in gas tax, toll, and other revenues that fund road and transportation projects, precipitat- ing a proposed $3.3 billion transportation budget cut. Bottom line? Any proposed legislation requiring signifi cant funding will face stiff headwinds. As of this writing, there are a number of bills of interest to Maryland horse people. Among them is the bill to require minors to wear helmets when riding on a highway, a public trail, or “the grounds of a facility that solicits or off ers to the public recreational, educational or competitive equestrian activities.” Exemptions include riders engaged in an agricul- tural practice, or members of the Amish or Mennonite communities. T e bill was pre-fi led by Del. Mary Lehman (PG) in the House and Sen. Ariana Kelly (Mont) in the Senate. Amendments will be introduced by the sponsors to provide for circumstances in equine therapy when a tra- ditional riding helmet is not feasible. (T anks to MHC Equine-Assisted Services Committee for invaluable assistance in drafting the amend- ments!) T e hearing in the Senate is January 31, in the House February 1. Versions of this bill have been introduced for the past few years, and despite what is seemingly a “no-brainer,” it has failed to pass. Hopefully this time will be the charm. T e Department of Agriculture has introduced a bill that, among other things, codifi es the process for renewing stable licenses, and authorizes the Maryland Horse Industry Board to establish and assess late fees for
those who fail to renew their licenses on time. Senate hearing January 23, House Hearing February 7. A couple of recent signifi cant events may have an impact on the ses-
sion. T e American Horse Council released its Economic Impact Study, the fi rst since 2018, on January 22. T e Maryland-specifi c breakout data show a dramatic increase in the economic impact of the Maryland horse industry, especially in the recreation and competition sectors. Plans are in the works for an event in Annapolis to showcase the results of the study. In addition, the Maryland T oroughbred Racetrack Operating Au-
thority, created by the legislature last year, submitted its fi ndings and recommendations for the future of T oroughbred racing in Maryland. T e report recommends that the ownership of Pimlico be transferred to the state, which would completely rebuild the facilities over the next three years. During the rebuild, the Preakness would be run temporarily at Laurel, returning to Pimlico in 2027. Pimlico and Laurel are currently owned by the Stronach Group, which does business as 1/ST and operates in Maryland as the Maryland Jockey Club. Stronach would retain own- ership of the Preakness and the Black-eyed Susan Stakes, which would be licensed to a nonprofi t operating authority, created by the Maryland Stadium Authority, that would handle the day to day operation of TB racing in the state. Stronach would also retain ownership of Laurel, but no racing would be conducted there and it is anticipated that the land would ultimately be developed after racing returns to the rebuilt Pimlico. T e proposal for the new Pimlico contemplates 140 to 160 racing days, and includes a new clubhouse, stabling for 700 horses, a 1,000-seat event space, a 2,000-car parking garage, veterinary facilities, a possible hotel and other new amenities. T e proposal also contemplates the construc- tion of a new training facility at another location. T e report recom- mended consideration of three sites: the existing Bowie Race Course Training Center, which Stronach owns; Mitchell Farm in Harford County, and Shamrock Farm in Woodbine. T e proposal is subject to approval by the legislature. It would make use of funds already approved by the legislature in 2020 for renovation of both Pimlico and Laurel - work which was never begun for a variety of reasons, including the eff ects of the pandemic on costs, supply chain issues, etc. As the session proceeds, things will be moving very fast. Horse Council members will get up-to-the-minute updates and action alerts. If you are not a member - join now!
https://mdhorsecouncil.org/join/
HELP US REBUILD OUR PAC WAR CHEST
What do creating a special position within the MD Dept. of Agriculture to support horse businesses, making it easier for MD barns that off er equine assisted therapy to qualify for grants from the MD Dept. of Veterans Af- fairs, and exempting horse farmers from a requirement for on farm composting permits from the MD Dept. of the Environment, have in common? They are just three of the bills that the Horse Council successfully lobbied for passage in last year’s Legislative Session in Annapolis. We need your help to continue our work on behalf of
you and your horses. By law, we cannot make PAC contributions while the Legislature is in session (now through April 8). We need to rebuild our PAC balance for this year’s round of candidate fundraising, so please make your PAC donation now.
Please donate today - every dollar counts, but we need your contribution ASAP! THANK YOU!
MHC does not endorse political candidates. We support incumbents who are in a position to support, or have already supported, the horse industry on general policy issues and in specifi c pieces of legislation.
28 | FEBRUARY 2024 | THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION 800-244-9580 |
www.equiery.com
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