- 9 -> 



thoroughbred horses in the Commonwealth which, in turn, v;ouli aid 

 the economy of the State. Other states that have had this prograin 

 have been most enthusiastic about the results. There seems to be 

 no reason why Massachusetts will not benefit, likewise. 



One phase of the program calls for the payment of 3% of the 

 prize money to owners of eligible studs. The Attorney General 

 has ruled that the law as worded means 3% of the amount awarded 

 by the Department of Agriculture and not 3% of the amount awarded 

 by the track. 



This was not the intention when the legislation was proposed. 

 The accompanying bill will rectify the situation. 



No. 7 - AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE BREEDING OF STANDARDBRED HORSES 

 IN THE COMMOmVEALTH. 



Chapter 807 of the Acts of 1969 also includes a program for 

 encouragement of the breeding of standardbred horses in the 

 Commonwealth. 



One of the features of the law provides for financial assist- 

 ance to fairs that feature "trotting" races. Fairs of this t^^^e 

 are, for the most part, operating v;ith a ::iininu- of capital and 

 carn-.Dt affori to pay the purses out of their sniall treasury. 



It is prcposec that the word "Reimbursement" be deleted and 

 be re-laced v/ith the word "payment." 



Vith this substitution it may be possible to make payments 

 within a short time after the completion of the race instead of 

 having the delay in payment which was encountered in the operations 

 in the past. 



