The Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 repeals the previous 2020 federal horseracing law and replaces it with a state-based interstate compact system that allows states to voluntarily join a Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO) to establish uniform medication control and safety standards for Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and Quarter Horses. The RHSO will be governed by a 9-member board of state racing commissioners that develops breed-specific medication rules, maintains a national injury database, and oversees racetrack safety standards including surface maintenance and injury prevention protocols. Member states pay breed-specific fees to fund RHSO operations, while three scientific committees of veterinary and pharmacology experts will develop medication standards through public proceedings. The legislation establishes enforcement mechanisms with standardized penalties ranging from fines to lifetime racing bans for violations, includes due process protections for those facing discipline, and allows member states to facilitate interstate betting on covered horse races. Most provisions take effect two years after enactment or when two or more states join the compact, with foundational provisions taking effect immediately.
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