Section 285.812.5. Race program development and allocation.

(1) The director shall designate annually which standardbred horse races conducted at fairs  and  licensed  pari-mutuel  racetracks shall  be eligible for state purse supplements. To assist the director in designating the races and determining the number, location, time, conditions, and amount of the state purse supplements for each race,    an    advisory committee is established consisting of the following persons:

(a)    The president  or  designee of  the Michigan   harness   horsemen's association.

(b)   The president or designee of the Michigan  association  of    fairs and exhibitions.

(c)       The  president  or  designee  of  the   Michigan   standardbred breeders association.

(d)   The president or designee  of  the  northern  Michigan   fair  and racing association.

(e)   The designated representative of the office of racing commissioner.

(f)        A  pari-mutuel  racetrack  representative  designated   by  the racing commissioner.

(g)   A representative of the department who shall chair the committee.

(h)   Other persons deemed appropriate by the director.

(2)   The advisory committee shall develop and recommend to the director an overall standardbred racing program each year. The overall program shall include the proposed number, location, time, conditions, and amount of state purse supplements to allocate for program races. The standardbred racing program shall be designed to promote positive growth and development of the state's standardbred horse racing and breeding industry.

(3)     The director shall make the allocation   of  funds  based  on   his  or  her determination of what best promotes the positive growth and development of the horse racing and breeding industry in the state of Michigan.

History: 1979 AC; 1981 AACS; 1983 AACS; 1994 AACS; 1998 AACS; 2002 AACS;