TITLE 16. ECONOMIC REGULATION

PART 8. TEXAS RACING COMMISSION

CHAPTER 309. RACETRACK LICENSES AND OPERATIONS

SUBCHAPTER D. GREYHOUND RACETRACKS

DIVISION 1. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

16 TAC §309.307

The Texas Racing Commission (Commission) proposes an amendment to 16 TAC §309.307, Lures, relating to the lures used in greyhound racing. The change adds the requirement that a greyhound lure have an audible squawker at the escape.

Charla Ann King, Executive Director for the Texas Racing Commission, has determined that for the first five year period the amendment is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing the amendment.

Ms. King has also determined that for each year of the first five years the amendment is in effect the anticipated public benefit will be to assist in the stopping and recalling of the greyhounds at the end of a race.

The rule will have no adverse economic effect on small or micro-businesses, and therefore preparation of an economic impact statement and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

There are no negative impacts upon employment conditions in this state as a result of the proposed amendment.

All comments or questions regarding the proposed amendment may be submitted in writing within 30 days following publication of this notice in the Texas Register to Carolyn Weiss, Assistant to the Executive Director for the Texas Racing Commission, at P.O. Box 12080, Austin, Texas 78711-2080, telephone (512) 833-6699, or fax (512) 833-6907.

The amendment is proposed under the Texas Revised Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to make rules relating exclusively to horse and greyhound racing.

The amendment implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

§309.307.Lures.

An association shall provide an inside dual equipped lure with an extendable arm and an audible squawker at the escape.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 24, 2009.

TRD-200902606

Mark Fenner

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 9, 2009

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


DIVISION 2. OPERATIONS

16 TAC §309.355, §309.363

The Texas Racing Commission (Commission) proposes amendments to 16 TAC §309.355, Grading System, and §309.363, Official Program. Section 309.355 relates to the grading system used by greyhound racetracks to create races in which each participating greyhound will be competitive. Section 309.363 relates to the required program printed by a racetrack that lists information about each of the races and the participants that will be competing in those races on a particular day.

The changes to §309.355 enable tracks to keep more greyhounds on the active list by permitting a racing secretary to advance a 2nd through 4th place greyhound in a maiden or Grade J race to a Grade D or Grade C level. The current rule only allows an advance to a Grade C level.

The change to §309.363 requires the greyhound racetracks to publish the Texas-bred emblem in the program to identify any accredited Texas-bred greyhounds.

Charla Ann King, Executive Director for the Texas Racing Commission, has determined that for the first five year period the amendment is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing the amendment.

Ms. King has also determined that for each year of the first five years the amendment is in effect the anticipated public benefit will be to identify and support participation in the state's accredited Texas-bred program.

The rule will have no adverse economic effect on small or micro-businesses, and therefore preparation of an economic impact statement and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

There are no negative impacts upon employment conditions in this state as a result of the proposed amendment.

All comments or questions regarding the proposed amendment may be submitted in writing within 30 days following publication of this notice in the Texas Register to Carolyn Weiss, Assistant to the Executive Director for the Texas Racing Commission, at P.O. Box 12080, Austin, Texas 78711-2080, telephone (512) 833-6699, or fax (512) 833-6907.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Revised Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to make rules relating exclusively to horse and greyhound racing, and §11.01, which requires the Commission to adopt rules regulating pari-mutuel wagering on greyhound and horse racing.

The amendments implement Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

§309.355.Grading System.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) The racing secretary shall use seven grades of AA, A, B, C, J, D, and M. Grade M is for maidens of any age and Grade J is for winning maidens.

(d) - (e) (No change.)

(f) The racing secretary shall advance a greyhound that wins a maiden race to Grade J. The racing secretary shall advance a greyhound that wins a Grade J race to Grade C. On request by a kennel owner or trainer, the racing secretary may regrade [advance ] a greyhound that finishes second, third, or fourth in a maiden or a Grade J race to Grade D or C. For a greyhound regraded on request under this subsection, an association shall place the letter "M" or "J" after the greyhound's name in the racing program.

(g) - (n) (No change.)

[(o) A greyhound that has advanced from Grade M and has been dropped from further racing without winning another official start may be requalified after a period of 30 days.]

(o) [(p)] If a maiden fails to finish in the top four positions in six consecutive starts, the maiden may not race again at the race meeting until it requalifies. If the maiden fails to finish in the top four positions in the two starts after requalifying, the maiden may not race again at the race meeting.

§309.363.Official Program.

(a) (No change.)

(b) The official program must contain at least two past performances for each greyhound scheduled to race. The program must also contain, for each greyhound scheduled to race:

(1) - (10) (No change.)

(11) the Texas-bred emblem if the greyhound is an accredited Texas-bred; and

(12) [(11)] other information to enable the public to properly judge the greyhound's ability.

(c) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 24, 2009.

TRD-200902607

Mark Fenner

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 9, 2009

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


CHAPTER 315. OFFICIALS AND RULES FOR GREYHOUND RACING

SUBCHAPTER A. OFFICIALS

DIVISION 2. DUTIES

16 TAC §315.43, §315.44

The Texas Racing Commission (Commission) proposes new 16 TAC §315.43, Track Superintendent, and new §315.44, Brakeman. Section 315.43 relates to the duties and responsibilities of the track superintendent at a greyhound racetrack. Section 315.44 relates to the duties and responsibilities of the brakeman at a greyhound racetrack.

New §315.43 assigns the track superintendent the responsibility for ensuring that the greyhound racetrack is properly maintained and that the track equipment is operable.

New §315.44 assigns the brakeman the responsibility for ensuring that the lure is stopped on the designated revolution on the racetrack at the end of each race.

Charla Ann King, Executive Director for the Texas Racing Commission, has determined that for the first five year period the new rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing the rules.

Ms. King has also determined that for each year of the first five years the new rules are in effect the anticipated public benefit will be to clarify the responsibilities of the track superintendent and the brakeman at a greyhound racetrack.

The rules will have no adverse economic effect on small or micro-businesses, and therefore preparation of an economic impact statement and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

There are no negative impacts upon employment conditions in this state as a result of the proposed new rules.

All comments or questions regarding the proposed new rules may be submitted in writing within 30 days following publication of this notice in the Texas Register to Carolyn Weiss, Assistant to the Executive Director for the Texas Racing Commission, at P.O. Box 12080, Austin, Texas 78711-2080, telephone (512) 833-6699, or fax (512) 833-6907.

The new rules are proposed under the Texas Revised Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to make rules relating exclusively to horse and greyhound racing.

The new rules implement Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

§315.43.Track Superintendent.

(a) The track superintendent shall ensure that the racetrack is properly maintained. The track superintendent shall ensure that all track equipment is operable for all races and during training hours.

(b) The track superintendent may designate a representative to serve in the track superintendent's absence, subject to the approval by the executive secretary.

§315.44.Brakeman.

The brakeman shall ensure that the lure is stopped on the designated revolution on the racetrack at the end of each race.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 24, 2009.

TRD-200902608

Mark Fenner

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 9, 2009

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699