National Issues:

H.R. 503 Is Not Best For Any Horse

The time is now for American Quarter Horse owners to stand up and be counted. Animal rights groups and wealthy, misguided horse interests are trying to pass legislation that will be detrimental to the welfare of our horses as well as the health of the entire horse industry.

H.R. 503, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, will be voted on in the House of Representatives on September 7th. We must contact our members of Congress before this critical vote and tell them to OPPOSE HR 503. Please call and send a handwritten fax to both the D.C. and district offices at the numbers below.

H.R. 503 is wrongly aimed at closing the three horse processing facilities in the United States. However, this legislation does nothing to provide for the welfare of these unwanted horses should this reckless bill pass.

H.R. 503 is an unfunded mandate failing to address the real issues owners of all horses face. Additionally, the bill blatantly disregards any enforcement measures, meaning nobody will be looking out for America’s Horses. Simply put, H.R. 503 is bad legislation promoted by people who are counting on emotion rather than logic and common sense winning out.

Every major breed registry and the leading veterinary organizations DO NOT SUPPORT 503 because it fails on nearly every front.

Please take a moment to stand up for all horses, including the American Quarter Horse. It is vitally important to the horse industry that you contact your legislator.

For more information, please visit here. Thanks.

Bills Tracked in the 2008 Kentucky General Assembly:

The Kentucky Quarter Horse Association has taken proactive steps during the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly to ensure that Kentucky’s legislators understand the importance of the Quarter Horse Industry in Kentucky. Accordingly the KyQHA has been tracking three significant pieces of legislation during this legislative session. Below is a brief summary of each bill and its status:

SENATE BILL 196 - The purpose of Senate Bill 196 is to allow for greater expansion of recreational trails in Kentucky. The bill states that the “purposes may include but are not limited to all-terrain vehicle riding, public hunting, nature conservation, biking, hiking, and horseback trail riding.” Most importantly, the bill relieves private landowners of legal liability if someone is injured on their property. Specifically the bill states that, “the owner shall not be liable for damages or injuries sustained by individuals or caused by individuals who utilize the land for a recreational purpose.” Senate Bill 196 has already passed the Senate and is now being considered by the House of Representatives. The KyQHA supports Senate Bill 196 and believes that it will be effective in expanding Kentucky’s horse trails while protecting landowners from burdensome lawsuits.

HOUSE BILL 249 - House Bill 249 is legislation that would remove the sales and use tax from horse related products such as hay, feed, feed additives, wormer, fly repellents, equine grooming supplies, straw and other bedding supplies. The bill would also exempt seed and commercial fertilizer if their products constitute feed for equine. This legislation would save horse owners approximately $6 million in taxes over the next two years. That $6 million impact on the state’s budget during a time when Kentucky is experiencing an estimated $900 million budget deficit has resulted in the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee stalling the bill without a hearing. The KyQHA supports House Bill 249 and will continue to lobby for its passage.

HOUSE BILL 550 - House Bill 550 is a bill allowing the citizens of Kentucky to vote in November on whether or not they want to change the Kentucky Constitution to allow casino gaming. Governor Steve Beshear’s original proposal has been scaled back to 9 casinos, 5 of which may be at horse tracks. Currently the bill is awaiting a vote by the House of Representatives. Jody Richards, the Speaker of the House, has stated that the bill will not be called for a vote unless it has the required 60 votes for passage. Currently there are between 40-45 votes in favor of passing the bill. Although the KyQHA supports House Bill 550 and would like to see it pass out of the House, we do have concerns about the current language in the bill that does not guarantee racetracks a certain number of licenses. It is the Association’s belief that if the bill reaches the Senate, the appropriate changes might be made that would not only strengthen the bill’s chances for passage on the ballot, but also protect and enhance the Horse Industry in Kentucky.

The KyQHA will continue to advocate for Quarter Horse owners and breeders across the Commonwealth and support legislation in Frankfort that benefits our industry.

Bills Tracked in the 2007 Kentucky General Assembly:

HB 367(BR-1212) - An act related to the sale of horses - SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
Amend KRS 230.357 to provide that a contract for payment of a commission, fee, gratuity, or other compensation in connection with the sale, purchase, or transfer of an equine shall not be enforceable unless the contract or agreement is in writing and signed by the party against whom the enforcement is sought and the recipient of the compensation provides a written bill of sale for the transaction.

Amendments -

HCS - Retain original provisions; delete language requiring agent to disclose financial records to either or both principals and replace with language requiring agent to disclose only to his or her principals; delete language exempting compensation arrangements from disclosure requirement.

SFA1 (Thayer, Damon) - Redefine "equine"; delete provision making disclosure requirement inapplicable to sales of equines of $10,000 or less.

Bills Tracked in the 2006 Kentucky General Assembly:

HB 453 - Related to Horse Racing - PASSED BY KY LEGISLATURE
An amendment refers to eligible horses (QH, Appaloosa & Arabians included) as those conceived rather than foaled by artificial insemination.

This bill also Includes a provision to permit the breeders incentive funds to be awarded to the owners of horses bred and foaled in Kentucky; establish as the fund's purposes the promotion, enhancement, improvement, and encouragement of the further and continued development of the horse industry.

The Kentucky Equine Education Project reports that the General Assembly has passed HB 453, which clears the way for implementation of the breeder awards program for non-race breeds once the bill is signed by the governor. The governor's signature, expected by June, will allow the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority to approve regulations for each breed that applied. Distribution of funds totaling about $1 million is expected to begin later this year. This will permit implementation of the KyQHBIC program outline in the last Quarterly magazine.

Thanks to all members who assisted in passage by contacting your legislators.

HB 263 - Removal of Sales Tax on Equine Products; View Summary on KEEP's Web site

HB 600 - Referendum on Gaming
We would like to thank everyone for their support of this bill. Unfortunately, it died March 22 in committee.

How do I contact my state representative or state senator?

By mail: Capitol Annex, Frankfort, KY 40601
By phone: 800-372-7181 (Legislative Message Line), 877-287-3134 (Spanish Line)
This line is staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday - Thursday and Fridays 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the legislative session.
By e-mail: To send a message to your legislator, go to www.lrc.ky.gov. Click on "Who’s My Legislator" by district or county and click to send a note online. Or visit www.vote-smart.org to search by zip code for your legislator. To send a message to all legislators, e-mail legislators2006@lrc.ky.gov

NOTE: We strongly encourage you to e-mail your individual legislator if at all possible.

By mail: 700 Capitol Avenue, Suite 100, Frankfort, KY 40601
By phone: 502-564-2611
By fax: 502-564-2517
By e-mail: Go to governor.ky.gov/contact.htm and send a note online.