BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1154
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 8, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1154 (Gray) - As Amended: May 1, 2013
Policy Committee: Governmental
Organization Vote: 14 - 1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill removes the current equine medical director (EMD) from
his position by January 1, 2018, and provides that after January
1, 2014, the EMD at the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical
Chemistry Laboratory located at the University of California at
Davis (UCD) shall serve for a term of two years and is limited
to two consecutive terms. However, there is no limit to the
number of nonconsecutive terms a person may serve.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)The 2007 search to find the current EMD took eight months and
involved a joint committee of the California Horse Racing
Board (CHRB) and the School of Veterinary Medicine at UCD. The
committee ultimately identified six candidates and selected
the current director from those six.
Using the industry standard of 160% of the base salary to fill
an administrative position at a university, replacing the
current EMD and subsequently replacing the EMD every four
years could result in a one-time cost of $300,000 (GF) for
every new EMD. Because of this particular specialty and the
few individuals who actually possess the expertise necessary,
the search could cost considerably more.
2)On-going costs in the range of $60,000 for salary increases
for the new EMD. The current director has not received an
increase in salary since 2007. At a minimum, that salary will
need to be adjusted to account for inflation.
COMMENTS
AB 1154
Page 2
1)Purpose . According to the author, the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine
Analytical Chemistry Laboratory has proven to be an asset to
California's horse racing industry. However, like most state
departments or agencies, succession planning needs to take
place to ensure the continuing success of the program.
The author states, the institutional knowledge of the lab
should be broad. Ideally, several individuals should possess
the knowledge and skill set to hold the position of equine
medical director. The author believes that replacing the
director every four years will develop a pool of individuals
with the talent, expertise, and ability to hold the position
of equine medical director, which will strengthen and ensure
the continued success of the laboratory for years to come.
The practical effect of this legislation is to remove the
current director, Dr. Richard M. Arthur, one of the world's
foremost veterinary experts on racehorses, from the position
in four years. The author's office asserts removing Dr. Arthur
from his position, while intentional, is not the sole purpose
of the bill.
2)Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory . The
Maddy Lab serves as the primary equine drug testing laboratory
for California's five permanent race courses and eight
seasonal fair venues. Funding for the drug testing program
comes from a portion of California wagering revenues.
The lab housed at the UCD is a 29,000 square-foot, $7.4
million facility which opened in 1999. The lab provides
routine drug testing for California racehorses and evaluates
the effectiveness of medications and other products on
racehorse performance. The lab examines blood and urine for
the presence of unauthorized substances.
In general, veterinarians may not administer equine
medications within 48 hours of a horse race. To protect
animals and uphold the integrity of the racing industry, the
CHRB requires analysis of post-race samples.
The lab analyzed 38,832 post-race urine and blood samples,
including in-depth testing of 14,199 for anabolic steroids,
25,253 TCO2 blood samples, 737 out-of-competition blood
samples, 92 evidence submissions, and 1,136 other samples for
AB 1154
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various purposes in FY 2011-12 for the CHRB. The cost to the
state was approximately $2 million.
3)Equine Medical Director . The CHRB contracts with the regents
of the University of California to provide on a full-time
basis, an equine medical director to the board in an advisory,
supervisory capacity for its drug testing program and other
areas related to the health, safety and welfare of horses.
The EMD utilizes the services of faculty members of UCD as
consultants to provide support in specialized areas. The
Regents of the University of California, Davis receives
reimbursement from the CHRB for the EMD position and pays for
routine drug testing. In 2012-13, the salary for the director
is $308,800, plus $2 million for routine drug testing of
racehorses.
4)Richard M. Arthur, DVM . The current EMD for the CHRB, Dr. Rick
Arthur, has served in the position since 2006. A joint
committee of the CHRB and the School of Veterinary Medicine at
UCD selected the EMD from among six candidates. Dr. Arthur is
a world renowned expert on horseracing injuries, regulation,
drug testing, anabolic steroids, medications, veterinary
procedures and pre-race veterinary examinations. He has
specialized in equine medicine, and racehorses in particular,
for the last 30 years. He has traveled broadly throughout the
country and overseas participating in equine medicine and
surgery clinics and has published articles on diverse topics
pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, training, conditioning
and maintenance of racehorses.
As the EMD, he serves as one of the chief regulators of
horseracing in California. His position requires that he
investigate and prosecute people who violate the rules of
racing, particularly as it concerns the illegal drugging of
racehorses in California.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081