Bill Text: NJ A2320 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires New Jersey Racing Commission develop guidelines on postponement of certain events due to severe weather conditions.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-03 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee [A2320 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A2320-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Requires New Jersey Racing Commission develop guidelines on postponement of certain events due to severe weather conditions.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning inclement weather during horse races and supplementing P.L.1940, c.17.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The New Jersey Racing Commission, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and the Commissioner of the Department of Health, shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing a severe weather and lightning protocol to ensure the well-being and safety of all persons and horses at a racing event. At minimum, the severe weather and lighting protocol shall require the postponement of horse races when inclement weather would pose a danger to the welfare of the drivers, jockeys, or horses.
Inclement weather shall be understood as, at a minimum, a condition in which:
(1) there is a thunderstorm, tornado, tropical storm, or hurricane watch in effect for the county in which the track is located within one hour of the post and expected end times of the race; or
(2) the heat index as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the county in which the track is located is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or is reasonably expected to be above 90 degrees Fahrenheit at any time during the race.
The New Jersey Racing Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this act.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the New Jersey Racing Commission to promulgate rules and regulations establishing a severe weather and lightning protocol and require the postponement of horse races when inclement weather would pose a danger to the welfare of the drivers, jockeys, or horses.
Inclement weather would be understood as, at a minimum, a condition in which:
(1) there is a thunderstorm, tornado, tropical storm, or hurricane watch in effect for the county in which the track is located within one hour of the post and expected end times of the race; or
(2) the heat index as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the county in which the track is located is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or is reasonably expected to be above 90 degrees Fahrenheit at any time during the race.
