Subject of Possible Rule Making: To amend chapter 260-70 WAC, Controlled medication program, to include a new section regulating the use of alkalizing agents in a horse on race day and to amend chapter 260-84 WAC, Fines and suspensions, to provide for a penalty for violating the new rule.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 67.16.020.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: It has been discovered that alkalizing agents can be administered to a race horse prior to a race to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in a horse's bloodstream and lessen lactic acid buildup, thus warding off fatigue and artificially enhancing the horse's performance. Rules are needed to prohibit and penalize trainers for this practice.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Robert J. Lopez, Administrative Services Manager, Washington Horse Racing Commission, 6326 Martin Way, Suite 209, Olympia, WA 98516-5578, phone (360) 459-6462, fax (360) 459-6461, rlopez@whrc.state.wa.us.

March 8, 2005

R. M. Leichner

Executive Secretary

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