Constitution and Bylaws
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.