BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1992
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Date of Hearing: April 21, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Joe Coto, Chair
AB 1992 (Portantino) - As Amended: March 24, 2010
SUBJECT : Horse racing: safety standards: racing surface.
SUMMARY : Requires the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to
establish and maintain its current safety standards for racing
surfaces whether the surface is synthetic or dirt, and for the
maintenance of the racing surface. Specifically, this bill :
1)Specifies that the CHRB shall establish and maintain its
safety standards for racing surfaces whether the surface is
synthetic or dirt.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides that CHRB regulate the various forms of horse racing
authorized in this state.
2)Requires the CHRB to establish safety standards governing the
uniformity and content of the racing surface.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS :
Background : In 2006, the CHRB adopted a rule to require the
installation of a synthetic surface at all racetracks that
conduct more than four weeks of racing in California by the end
of 2007. The tracks impacted were Santa Anita, Hollywood Park,
Golden Gate Fields, Bay Meadows and Del Mar. The CHRB stated
that it viewed synthetic surfaces as crucial to the health and
safety of the jockeys, horses, and other directly related
participants in racing. Various racing associations (tracks),
owners, trainers and jockeys also expressed interest in
converting to synthetic type racing surfaces. It was believed
that this type of surface would provide a more consistent and
safer racing surface which would save money in maintenance
costs. To date, all of the tracks have met the mandate. Bay
Meadows has ceased live racing operations. It has been reported
that the cost of installing a synthetic surface costs between $6
million and $10 million per track.
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Engineered racing surfaces typically include several layers - a
drainage system, then sometimes another layer of sand, and a
mixture of fibers, sand, and wax on top. The mixture is the
"secret ingredient" of each racing surface. There are several
types of synthetic racetrack surfaces being used worldwide. Some
of the different types of patented synthetic surfaces used at
California's racetracks include: Polytrack, Cushion Track,
Pro-Ride, and Tapeta Footings. Manufacturers of synthetic
racetrack surfaces promote the fact that their products have
drainage attributes that are better than natural surfaces, which
allows tracks to be rated as fast under circumstances that would
normally result in sloppy, slow or muddy conditions.
The recipe for finding the correct mixture for each racetrack
surface has proven considerably more elusive than anticipated.
Synthetic surfaces were touted as low-maintenance alternatives
to the constant tinkering that goes hand-in-hand with dirt
surfaces. However, few of the tracks that have switched to
artificial surfaces have been truly low-maintenance. Some of
California's race meets have struggled with climate
vacillations-temperature and moisture-and drainage issues on
extremely raining days.
To date, synthetic surfaces in California have been a subject of
much debate; there are naysayers and believers; and at this
juncture, there is no consensus about them within California's
racing industry, as they have been the subject of much
deliberation in front of the CHRB and other related
organizations. California's racing surfaces have been a subject
of dispute for years pertaining to their safety, make-up, and
consistency.
CHRB oversight of surfaces : In 2009, the CHRB stated that the
board would be coordinating a range of studies to gain a better
understanding of racing surfaces and determine any relationship
between racing surfaces and equine injuries in order to improve
these surfaces, reduce injuries, and meet the CHRB's statutory
obligation to develop track safety standards for the protection
of horses and riders.
In 2010, subject to funding approval, the CHRB will contract,
equip, and train personnel for the continual inspection of all
racing surfaces (dirt, turf, and synthetic). The inspections
will include monitoring maintenance practices and measuring such
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variables as moisture content, track surface composition, and
temperature. The measurements eventually will be correlated to
injuries. The CHRB has named a safety steward for each
racetrack to assist in this effort. The CHRB requested a budget
appropriation to develop safety standards for racing surfaces.
The money to fund this project would be paid for by the
industry.
Purpose of the bill : According to the author, this bill will
ensure that California remains one of the most proactive racing
jurisdictions in the country in its efforts to reduce racetrack
injuries and afford participants the most protection possible,
whether in track safety or in safe practices. The bill will
give the CHRB and the racing industry a tool to stay committed
to a high degree of transparency in the conduct of all its
activities related to safety and integrity for its human and
equine athletes. The author states that when owners, trainers,
tracks, and other industry participants work together on an
issue such as track safety, it will lead to standards which will
benefit the entire industry.
Prior legislation : SB 1464 (Denham) of 2005-2006 Regular
Session. Would have required any horse racing track operating
four weeks or more of continuous thoroughbred racing in any
calendar year to install a polymer, synthetic-type racing
surface prior to December 31, 2007. (Passed off the Senate floor
but no further action was taken)
SB 1237 (Maddy), Chapter 1120, Statutes of 1993. The CHRB is
required to establish safety standards for race tracks and to
designate a steward responsible for maintaining safety standards
at all horse race meetings. No license to conduct racing may be
granted until a track is found in compliance with the standards.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
AB 1992
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Analysis Prepared by : Eric Johnson / G. O. / (916) 319-2531