Texas Racing Commission
Formal Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, February 20, 2002
10:00 A.M.
DPS - Criminal Law Enforcement, Bldg. E
6100 Guadalupe
First Floor Auditorium

Austin, Texas

Call to Order
Roll Call
A quorum was established with Commissioners David Garza and Colleen McHugh absent.

PROCEEDINGS ON RULEMAKING
Consideration of and action on the following rules:

(1) Adoptions
§303.99.   Stakes and Other Prepayment Races - Breed Registries. (Amendment)
§309.361. Greyhound Purse Account and Kennel Account. (Amendment)
§311.103. Kennel Owners. (Amendment)
§315.250. Standards for Greyhound Breeding Farms. (New)
§319.338. Storage of Splits. (New)
§319.362. Split Specimen. (Amendment)
§319.363. Storage of Splits. (Repeal)
§319.391. Testing of Greyhounds. (Amendment)
§323.202. Notice to District Attorneys. (Amendment)
§323.203. Department of Public Safety Reports. (Amendment)


The Commission voted unanimously to adopt all the amendments
.

(2) Proposals

§307.7. Ejection or Exclusion. (Amendment)
§309.351. Kennel Contracts. (Amendment)
§319.102. Veterinarian's List. (Amendment)
§323.201. Reporting of Criminal Activity, Arrests, and Convictions. (Amendment)

§307.62. Disciplinary Hearings. (Amendment)
§319.301. Testing Authorized. (Amendment)


Staff pulled §319.102 from consideration until further research is performed.
The Commission voted unanimously to publish the proposals for §307.7, §309.351, and §323.201 in the Texas Register.

The Commission voted unanimously to publish the proposal to §319.301 in the Texas Register and took no action on §307.62.

(3) Petitions for Rulemaking

Petition by the Gulf Greyhound Park for an amendment to §309.313. Kennel Buildings.

The Commission voted unanimously to publish the proposal for §309.313 in the Texas Register which will allow the executive secretary to determine the number of crates to be permitted in each kennel building.

PROCEEDINGS ON OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEES
Consideration of and action on the following matters:

Proposal for Decision, Exceptions, and Replies to Exceptions in SOAH No. 476-01-3143, TxRC No. 2001-O2-05, In Re: The Appeal by Toby Keeton and James T. Hays, D.V.M. from Stewards' Ruling Retama Park 1146.

The Commission voted unanimously to adopt the Administrative Law Judge's Proposal for Decision which upheld the Stewards' Ruling Retama Park 1146.
   

GENERAL BUSINESS
Consideration of and action on the following matters:

(1)
Election of Vice Chair.
The Commission voted unanimously to elect Dyke Rogers to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Commission for the period January, 2002, to January, 2003.

(2) Budget and Finance update.
The Commission took no action on the budget update provided by Tim Craig, Chief Financial Officer for the Commission.

PROCEEDINGS ON RACETRACKS
Consideration of and action on the following matters:

(1) Request by Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie for an exemption or deferred compliance from §309.282, relating to living quarters.
Following extensive discussion, the Commissioners voted 5-1 to approve an exemption or deferred compliance from §309.282, relating to living quarters, for Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, for the calendar year 2002.

(2) Request by Sam Houston Race Park for a change in ownership.
With Ms Lacy recusing, the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the change in ownership as requested by Sam Houston Race Park.

(3) Report on Racetrack Inspections.
Paula Flowerday reported that all outstanding issues have been addressed at Manor Downs.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

(1) Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.074(a)(1) to
deliberate personnel matters: the performance evaluation of the Executive Secretary.
The Commission went into executive session at 11:20 a.m. and reconvened in open session at 11:55 a.m.

(2) Pursuant to Govt. Code §551.071, the Commission may open an executive session to confer with its attorney regarding potential litigation on any matter listed in the above agenda.
An executive session was not required.

OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
The next Commission meeting will be on Thursday, May 9.

Paula Flowerday reported that Manor Downs opening weekend went smoothly from the racing standpoint. Staff will continue to work with some of their pari-mutuel staff to ensure they follow the rules properly and know what to do in cases of emergencies.
     
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