H-404                _______________________________________________

                                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 18

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representative Vekich

Read first time 1/13/87 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to the testing of race horses; and adding a new section to chapter 67.16 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 67.16 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) A member of the faculty of the college of veterinary medicine at Washington State University shall serve as the commission's chemist.  The person shall be appointed to the position by the dean of the college.  Any specimen of the blood, urine, or saliva of a horse taken by a commission veterinarian for testing shall be tested by the laboratory staff of the college under the supervision of the chemist.

          (2) The commission, through the chemist, shall establish and provide an education program for members of the horse racing industry.  The principal objective of the program shall be providing education and information concerning:  The proper use of medications for horses; the effect on a horse's health of the use of prohibited drugs; and the effects of the use of other substances which may be directly or indirectly dangerous to the health or racing ability of horses or may interfere with the proper evaluation of the condition of horses.

          (3) The commission shall compensate the college fully for the services provided under this section.  The commission shall establish a schedule of fees for recovering the cost of testing any specimen taken by a commission veterinarian at the request of the owner or trainer of a horse.