An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in race horse industry reform, further providing for additional powers of commission.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3586 PRINTER'S NO. 3751
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2625
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY DOUGHERTY, PASHINSKI, HANBIDGE, SANCHEZ, NEILSON,
GALLAGHER, MADDEN, GUZMAN, PUGH, D. WILLIAMS AND MADSEN,
JUNE 10, 2026
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
JULY 1, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in race horse industry reform, further providing
for definitions and for additional powers of commission.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "applicant" in section 9301 of
Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to
read:
§ 9301. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Applicant." A person who, on his own behalf or on behalf of
another, is applying for [permission to engage in an act or
activity which is regulated under the provisions of this
chapter.] a license relating to the care or training of horses,
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racing, wagering, security or the management of licensed racing
entities in accordance with section 9318 (relating to licenses
for horse race meetings) or 9323 (relating to occupational
licenses for individuals). If the applicant is a person other
than an individual, the commission shall determine the
associated persons whose qualifications are necessary as a
precondition to the licensing of the applicant.
* * *
Section 2. Section 9312(2)(ii), (iii) and (iv) of Title 3
are amended to read:
SECTION 1. SECTION 9312(2)(II), (III) AND (IV) OF TITLE 3 OF
THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES ARE AMENDED AND THE
PARAGRAPH IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SUBPARAGRAPH TO READ:
§ 9312. Additional powers of commission.
The commission shall regulate horse racing at which pari-
mutuel wagering is conducted and approve the number of racing
days allocated to each licensed racing entity. In addition to
any other powers of the commission:
* * *
(2) The following shall apply:
* * *
(ii) The applicant must submit a full set of
fingerprints to the Pennsylvania State Police [or the
Pennsylvania State Police's authorized agent] for the
purpose of a State criminal history record check. The
Pennsylvania State Police [or the Pennsylvania State
Police's authorized agent must then] shall submit the
fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for
the purpose of verifying the identity of the applicant
and obtaining a current record of any criminal arrests
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and convictions.
(iii) The commission shall consider information
obtained under this paragraph for the purpose of
screening applicants for fitness for licensure in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The
information obtained under this paragraph shall not be
limited by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b) (relating to general
regulations).
(iv) National criminal history record information
received by the commission shall be handled and
maintained in accordance with Federal [Bureau of
Investigation policy] law.
* * *
(VIII) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE TERM
"APPLICANT" SHALL MEAN AN INDIVIDUAL APPLYING FOR A
LICENSE RELATING TO:
(A) THE CARE OR TRAINING OF HORSES;
(B) RACING;
(C) PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING SYSTEMS;
(D) SECURITY; OR
(E) THE MANAGEMENT OF LICENSED RACING ENTITIES,
INCLUDING OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTIONS 9318 (RELATING TO LICENSES FOR HORSE RACE
MEETINGS) AND 9323 (RELATING TO OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES
FOR INDIVIDUALS), INCLUDING:
(I) HORSE OWNERS;
(II) HORSE TRAINERS;
(III) DRIVERS;
(IV) JOCKEYS;
(V) EXERCISE RIDERS;
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(VI) GROOMS;
(VII) STABLE EMPLOYEES;
(VIII) JUDGES;
(IX) STEWARDS;
(X) COMMISSION AND RACETRACK VETERINARIANS;
(XI) RACING SECRETARIES;
(XII) FARRIERS AND BLACKSMITHS;
(XIII) OFFICIAL STARTERS;
(XIV) CLERK OF SCALES; AND
(XV) PATROL JUDGES.
* * *
Section 3 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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