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HB 4348

Appropriations: supplemental; funding for purses and supplements; modify. Creates appropriation act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Timmy Beson and 2 co-sponsors

Provides $2,000,000 for purses and supplements for standardbred harness races in Michigan, with a contingency to support Michigan-sired 2- and 3-year-olds if no licenses exist.

bill electronically reproduced 04/17/2025
#appropriations:supplemental #gaming:horseracing
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Bill Summary · HB 4348

Summary — HB 4348 (FY 2024‑25 Supplemental Appropriation)

Status: Introduced March 11, 2025; electronically reproduced April 17, 2025. Referred to Committee on Agriculture; reported favorably without amendment (committee actions May 2025). Companion: SB 1993.

Purpose

Provides a one-time supplemental appropriation of $2,000,000 (Gross) to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) in FY 2024‑25 to fund purses and supplements for standardbred harness horse races. Funding is restricted and does not use State General Fund/General Purpose (GF/GP).

Key provisions

  • Appropriates $2,000,000 Gross for FY 2024‑25 from the Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund to MDARD (line‑item under “Purses and supplements – fairs/licensed tracks”).
  • Funds must be used for purses for standardbred harness horse races offered by:
    • county fairs, and
    • races held at licensed pari‑mutuel racetracks, in accordance with section 20 of the Horse Racing Law of 1995 (1995 PA 279, MCL 431.320).
  • Contingency: If there is no standardbred race meeting licensee in Michigan by July 1, 2025, up to the full $2,000,000 may instead be designated for races run at county fairs exclusively for 2‑ and 3‑year‑old Michigan‑sired standardbred horses.
  • Appropriations are subject to the Management and Budget Act (1984 PA 431).

Who is affected

  • MDARD (recipient/administrator of the funds)
  • County fair organizers and licensed pari‑mutuel racetracks that host standardbred harness races
  • Standardbred horse owners, trainers, breeders (particularly Michigan‑sired 2‑ and 3‑year‑olds, if contingency triggered)
  • Local equine industry stakeholders supported by the Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Amount: $2,000,000 Gross; $2,000,000 Restricted; $0 GF/GP.
  • Designated as FY 2024‑25 supplemental spending; total state spending from state sources under Part 1 is $2,000,000 (per bill text).
  • Subject to standard appropriation oversight under the Management and Budget Act.
  • Committee activity: public hearing April 29, 2025; reported favorably May 6, 2025; sent to Calendars May 10, 2025.

Potential impacts

  • Short‑term boost to purse money for standardbred racing, which may support racing activity, breeder incentives, and fair attendance.
  • If no licensed standardbred race meeting exists by July 1, 2025, targeted support for Michigan‑sired young horses could bolster in‑state breeding programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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