2006 Kentucky Revised Statutes - .225   Kentucky Horse Racing Authority -- Membership -- Terms -- Compensation -- Office -- Meetings -- Administrative regulations.

230.225 Kentucky Horse Racing Authority -- Membership -- Terms -- Compensation -- Office -- Meetings -- Administrative regulations. (1) The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority is created as an independent agency of state government to regulate the conduct of horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, and related activities within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The authority shall be attached to the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet for administrative purposes. (2) The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority shall consist of thirteen (13) members appointed by the Governor, with the secretaries of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, Commerce Cabinet, and Economic Development Cabinet serving as ex officio, nonvoting members. Two (2) members shall have no financial interest in the business or industry regulated. The members of the authority shall be appointed to serve for a term of three (3) years except, of the members initially appointed, four (4) shall serve for a term of three (3) years, five (5) shall serve for a term of two (2) years, and four (4) shall serve for a term of one (1) year. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be appointed for the remainder of the unexpired term. In making appointments, the Governor may consider members broadly representative of the thoroughbred industry and members broadly representative of the standardbred, quarter horse, Appaloosa, or Arabian industries. The Governor may also consider recommendations from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Inc., the Kentucky Division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Kentucky Harness Horsemen's Association, and other interested organizations. (3) Members of the authority shall receive fifty dollars ($50) per day for each meeting attended and shall be reimbursed for all expenses paid or incurred in the discharge of official business. The Governor shall appoint one (1) member of the authority to serve as its chairperson who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Governor shall further designate a second member to serve as vice chair with authority to act in the absence of the chairperson. Before entering upon the discharge of their duties, all members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority shall take the constitutional oath of office. (4) The authority shall establish and maintain a general office for the transaction of its business and may in its discretion establish a branch office or offices. The authority may hold meetings at any of its offices or at any other place when the convenience of the authority requires. All meetings of the authority shall be open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend meetings. A majority of the authority shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business or exercise of any of its powers. (5) The duly promulgated administrative regulations of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, in effect as of January 6, 2004, shall remain in effect as the initial regulations of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority until revoked or modified by the authority. (6) All licenses approved by, and dates awarded by, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority shall remain in effect through December 31, 2004. (7) Except as otherwise provided, the authority shall be responsible for the following: (a)  Developing programs and procedures for oversight and regulation of horse racing matters, including but not limited to race day medications; (b)  Recommending tax incentives and other options to promote the strength and growth of the thoroughbred industry and to preserve the economic viability of Kentucky's horse farms; (c)  Designing and implementing programs that strengthen the ties between Kentucky's horse industry and the state's universities, with the goal of increasing the horse industry's impact on the state's economy; (d)  Developing and supporting programs which ensure that Kentucky remains a national leader in equine research; and (e)  Developing and implementing programs that promote Kentucky's horse and tourism industry. Effective: July 13, 2004 History: Amended 2004 Ky. Acts ch. 191, sec. 3, effective July 13, 2004. -- Created 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 109, sec. 1, effective March 30, 1992.