Equine support bill advances in House

OLYMPIA–A bill which could revitalize the state’s limping equine industry, House Bill 1928, continued its advance through the Washington House of Representatives last week.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Schmick (R-9-Colfax), had been given a hearing in the House Appropriations Committee, which voted 32-2 on February 3 to send the bill to the next step. That step is the bill being referred to the Rules 2 Review, which occurred on Monday, February 7.

House Bill 1928 would allocate $6 million from sales taxes on equine products such as horses, tack and feed, to the Washington Horse Racing Commission (WHRC), where it would give the agriculture-based equine industry funding to promote horse racing, youth and equine therapy program, and also infuse funding for Class C race tracks, such as Dayton’s and Waitsburg’s, which have been dormant since the last race meets in 2010. The bill does not propose a sales tax increase.

In an Appropriations Committee hearing on January 31, Dayton Days President Tim Donohue testified in support of the bill in addition to providing supporting written testimony, including letters of support from the Columbia County Commissioners, the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, and a few local businesses, whose written information informed legislators of the reduction in their local establishments’ revenue after horse racing stopped 11 years ago.

From Rules, the bill will be considered in the House Chamber, and, if passed, will be considered by the Washington Senate.

Another way the bill would provide support to the equine industry would be through the Washington-Bred Owners Bonus Feed and Breeder Award Account, for breeder awards. In Texas, where a bill similar to HB 1928 was passed a few years ago, horse numbers were treble after just two years of the additional support.

The bill, if passed, would make available$900,000 for grants to other equine activities in the state, with the intent to focus on youth, 4-H and FFA, and equine rescue and therapy ranches. Any equine group would be eligible to apply.

Emerald Downs, the state’s sole Class A track, would receive $3.6 million, of which $2.7 million is designated for purses, which goes to owners of horses running in races.