For purposes of this act, the organization elected by horsemen that was, in 2003, providing representation for participating Thoroughbred horsemen at meets restricted to Thoroughbred horses only shall be the official representative of all Thoroughbreds participating in live race meets conducted by an organization licensee. The organization elected by horsemen that was, in 2003, providing representation for the breeds participating in mixed-breed racing shall be the official representative of all non-Thoroughbreds participating in live race meets conducted by an organization licensee.
Organization licensees shall negotiate and covenant with the official representative for each breed participating at any race meeting as to the conditions for each race meeting, the distribution of commissions and purses not governed by statutory distribution formulae, simulcast transmission and reception, off-track wagering, all matters relating to welfare, benefits and prerogatives of the participants in the meet, and any other matter required as a matter of law or necessity. During race meets at which there is more than one official representative for horsemen, each official representative association shall designate an equal number of horsemen to serve on a single committee that will periodically meet with the organization licensee to discuss and facilitate track management operations. Any participating horsemen may with written notice filed with the track’s horsemen’s bookkeeper elect to opt out of representation by the above-referenced organizations. In the event more than fifty percent (50%) of the total participating horsemen for a single breed opt to be excluded, the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission may determine that an election be held among all participating horsemen of that breed to designate an alternate representative organization.
The official horsemen’s representative organizations, and any breed organizations receiving funding as a result of this act, shall provide the Commission annually with a complete financial accounting for the use of all funds received pursuant to this act. The official horsemen’s representative organization shall administer the benevolence program for participants in each live race meeting and a complete accounting of those funds along with the guidelines for administration and determination of eligibility for the benevolence program are subject to approval by the Commission.
Added by Laws 2004, c. 316, § 8, State Question No. 712, Legislative Referendum No. 335, adopted at election held on Nov. 2, 2004.