Judge Blocks Enforcement of Federal Regulations of Horse Racing in Louisiana and Other States

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – On July 26, 2022, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry declared that he had won a victory over rules imposed by an unconditional and unfunded Congressional requirement that cedes most of the State’s regulatory and taxation power to an unelected and unaccountable nongovernmental agency.

Ruling in favor of Attorney General Landry, Judge Terry Doughty of United States District Court in the Western District of Louisiana has granted a preliminary injunction against rules created from the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act of 2021 (HISA) for the State of Louisiana, State of West Virginia, Louisiana State Racing Commission, Louisiana Horseman’s Benevolent & Protective Association, Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Jockeys Guild, West Virginia Racing Commission, and horse owners, trainers, and jockeys.

“I am grateful Judge Doughty applied the law and blocked this federal overreach from devastating our State and the thousands of Louisianans in the horse industry here,” said Attorney General Landry. “Since becoming a State in 1812, Louisiana has not only regulated horseracing but also built an entire culture around it with the owners, trainers, jockeys, racetracks, and patrons.”

“Congress ramrodded HISA into the COVID relief bill and recklessly set up this massive regulatory scheme that is onerous at best on everyone; then to add insult to injury, it is paid for on the backs of those who work the hardest and receive the least,” explained Attorney General Landry.

As stated when Attorney General Landry filed suit in June, HISA seeks to effectively replace state regulating commissions with a private business in control of horseracing that was established 90 days previous to the adoption of this Act. This newly formed private business then began issuing regulations, with little opportunity for public debate, leaving individuals who work under them with no input or voice.

“The process of creating the law and its associated regulations showed a reckless disregard for the thousands of industry participants in Louisiana and a correspondingly reckless disregard for the impact to our State,” added Attorney General Landry. “The regulations are unclear, inconsistent, and violate due process; and I will continue to do all that I legally can to halt them from taking effect in Louisiana.”