Sen. Dodd’s Horse Racing Safety Bill Advances

SACRAMENTO – Horse-safety legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that gained support and urgency amid the continuing death of racing horses at Santa Anita Park cleared a key Assembly committee today on its way to a floor vote, possibly as soon as next week.

“Exigent circumstances demand we act swiftly to pass this legislation and put an end to this heartbreaking cycle of horse deaths,” Sen. Dodd said. “I appreciate the committee’s chairman, Assemblymember Adam Gray, and Speaker Anthony Rendon for their support in helping to move this bill forward.”

Senate Bill 469 was prompted by the 29 racing horse deaths at Santa Anita since late December.  Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last month he would support it. The bill authorizes the California Horse Racing Board to convene an emergency meeting to consider temporary track closure if dangerous conditions exist.

It cleared the full Senate last month and passed the Assembly Governmental Organization committee today on a unanimous vote. It goes next to Appropriations before heading to the Assembly floor.

In addition to Assemblymember Gray, D-Merced, the bill is co-authored by Sen. Susan Rubio, D-Baldwin Park and Assemblymember Ed Chau, D-Arcadia.

Sen. Dodd chairs the Senate Governmental Organization committee, which oversees horse racing among other things.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.