Racing Authority open and upfront with
rule making process
8/31/07 KyHarnessRacing.com
rule making process
8/31/07 KyHarnessRacing.com
- In the NBA, rules are made with the best interest of
the sport in mind. The NBA has a rule committee
that oversees the rule making process. This
committee is made up of several people from the
sport. It is someone from the owner's organization,
a player's representative, officiating organization....
there is someone from every part of the industry.
The reason for this is to keep balance and fairness in
the rule making process. If it was just the owners
making the rules, then rules would be biased to the
best interest for the owners of the sport. The rule
making process in harness racing isn't much different
than in the NBA.
Why are new rules made in harness racing? "Rules
are made to lookout for the best interest of the
sport." says John Forgy - Counsel for the Kentucky
Horse Racing Authority. "Rules are made out of
necessity. For example, after Hal Belote was killed in
a racing accident at Harrington, we began to explore
the necessity of safety vests." says Marc Guilfoil,
Deputy Executive Director for the Kentucky Horse
Racing Authority.
- Who introduces new rules? It could be as simple as
someone taking interest on a certain issue or rule.
Or, an association has communicated with the Racing
Authority on introducing a rule. Whatever the rule, it
will be everyone working together to better serve the
public or to increase safety on the racetrack.
Once a rule has been introduced, the Kentucky Horse
Racing Authority will have the new rule drafted and
filed with the Legislative Research Committee. It is
not unusual for several rules to be filed at the same
time. "We work with everyone", John Forgy
continues, "Anyone that would like, can sign up to
receive a copy of the rules before they are filed."
"We are open and upfront with any rule in process.
We want the imput from everyone, Associations,
Racetracks, Breeders etc." states Guilfoil. Five days
after a new rule is filed there is a public comment and
written comment period. There is also a pubic
hearing, of which a notice is sent out to several
organizations and people in the industry, including
the KHHA. "It is much more efficient to talk about a
rule before it becomes a rule." says Forgy.
- With the new safety vest rule, the process was
handled the same as any other rule. In fact, the
safety vest section is in the same rule (Racing and
track rules) that the naming of the track committee
is in. This part of the process is done to get
feedback or imput from the horsemen's association
and such. The KHHA was given material on all the
proposed rule changes on two separate occasions to
present to the KHHA board before August 1st 2006.
The only feedback the Racing Authority received from
the KHHA was on the track committee rule and
breaking rule. The Racing Authority did not receive
any feedback from anyone on the safety vest rule.
- A public hearing was in September of 2006. Again,
no one spoke about the safety vest rule at that
public hearing. In fact, there wasn't anyone from the
KHHA Board present at that meeting. Dr. Overstreet
was in attendance and spoke about the fair rule.
Alan Leavitt was in attendance and spoke about the
drug rule. Nobody opposed the safety vest rule, or
had any suggestions.
- On June 1, 2007, these rules became effective. You
may find out any new rules that are in process by
emailing the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.
| "If something is going to affect your life, it's best to know as much as you can about it." - Donald Trump |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |