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Bill

S 229

Establishes an elderly dental insurance coverage program; appropriation

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Tedisco

Authorizes MTBA to set and pay incentives for MA-bred/accredited horses, stallion owners, and breeders, funded by MTBA receipts, with eligibility, reporting, and annual audits.

REFERRED TO FINANCE
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Bill Summary · S 229

Summary — S.229 (2025): "An Act further regulating thoroughbred breeding"

Note: the bill text provided concerns changes to Massachusetts thoroughbred-breeding incentives (Chapter 128, §2(g)). Some accompanying metadata (titles referencing dental coverage or drug-price transparency) appears inconsistent with the bill text; this summary focuses on the substantive statute language provided.

Purpose

The bill revises and consolidates the statutory framework for promoting thoroughbred breeding in Massachusetts by clarifying incentive payments, eligibility rules, reporting requirements, administrative authority, and financial oversight for the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Inc. (MTBA).

Key provisions

  • Replaces existing subsection (g) of Chapter 128, §2 with updated language authorizing the MTBA to:
    • Set percentages (after discussion with the racing director) for:
      (i) breeder bonuses from purse money when a Massachusetts-bred finishes 1st–5th in pari‑mutuel races;
      (ii) incentives to the stallion owner at time of service (subject to registration and standing requirements); and
      (iii) incentives to owners of Massachusetts‑bred/accredited horses for purse monies in restricted or unrestricted pari‑mutuel races inside or outside the Commonwealth.
  • MTBA may fund races limited to Massachusetts-bred/accredited horses at licensed pari‑mutuel meetings authorized by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (betting or non-betting; scheduled races permitted). MTBA payments may be sole purses or supplemental; MTBA may also set an overall cap on awards.
  • Eligibility definitions:
    • Massachusetts‑bred: foal dropped in the Commonwealth when mare is bred back to a Massachusetts-registered stallion; or foal of mare residing continuously in MA for at least 90 days (including foaling); registration with the Jockey Club and MTBA required.
    • Massachusetts‑accredited: foal raised in MA for six continuous months prior to Dec 31 of its 2-year-old year; must be registered.
    • Stallion eligibility: must be registered by Feb 1, have stood the entire breeding season in MA, and not be registered to stand in another state that year.
  • Reporting and filing deadlines:
    • By Sept 1 annually, each person standing a stallion must file a list of mares bred and a verified statement that the stallion stood the full breeding season in MA.
    • By Sept 1 annually, each person raising a weanling or yearling for the required 6‑month period must file a verified statement with MTBA giving location.
    • Foaling bonuses: owners must file a verified statement prior to foaling with expected due date and mare location.
  • MTBA may expend up to 12% of program receipts each fiscal year for advertising, marketing, promotion and administration.
  • Financial oversight: the State Auditor must annually audit MTBA books for compliance.

Who is affected

  • Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association (administrator of incentives)
  • Breeders, stallion owners, mare owners, horse owners, and persons raising weanlings/yearlings in Massachusetts
  • Licensed racetracks and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (where races are held)
  • Division of Racing and the Director of Racing (consultation role)
  • State Auditor (oversight)

Fiscal/administrative notes

  • The bill does not specify a state appropriation; MTBA funds and receipts are the primary source for incentives and administration.
  • MTBA has discretion to determine purse amounts and to cap awards; up to 12% of receipts may be used for program administration and promotion.

Legislative status (as provided)

  • Introduced in the Senate: 01/23/2025 (read twice; referred to Committee on Finance)
  • Referred earlier to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (02/27/2025)
  • Hearing scheduled: 04/14/2025 (10:00 AM–2:00 PM, A‑2)
  • Other actions listed include “House concurred” and multiple referrals to Finance; sponsors and related-bill references were provided in the source material.

If you want, I can produce a short one‑page briefing for stakeholders (breeders, tracks, regulators) highlighting immediate compliance steps and likely operational impacts.

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

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