The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

OLYMPIA—Washington state legislative bill HB1928 (2021-22), concerning equine industry support, has passed the House and moved to the state Senate. On February 28, the Senate sent the bill to the Rules Committee for a second reading.

Sponsored by Rep. Joe Schmick (R), Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R), Rep. Robert Sutherland (R ), Rep. Emily Wicks (D), and Rep. Tom Dent (R ), the bill could bring $6 million in support to Washington’s equine industry, including but not exclusively horse racing. The funds will come from sales tax collected through industry-related sales, including bedding, feed, horses, equine medication, and grooming supplies.

Approximately $600,000 has been set aside for smaller tracks such as Kennewick’s Sundowns and possibly smaller tracks, including Dayton’s class C track. Many of the smaller tracks will have challenges bringing facilities back to race conditions.

Non-racing programs could also benefit from $900,000 reserved for groups including 4-H, FFA, agricultural fairs, and rodeos.

$450,000 has been set aside to the Washington Horse Racing Commission for regulatory costs, and $450,000 has been reserved for the Washington Breeder’s Bonus.

The majority of the money will go to the larger racing venues and businesses. As much as $3.6 million will benefit the only Class 1 racing association, at Emerald Downs. A popular track with spectators and owners, Emerald Downs is owned by the Muckleshoot Tribe. $2.7 million of that share would go directly to purses, with the remaining amount being used for facility upgrades and equine health and research.

To follow progress on the bill, visit https://legiscan.com/WA/bill/HB1928/2021, or https://tinyurl.com/4zsx6xj4.