The Equine Drug Testing Program is active at seven tracks throughout the State of New York, running a total of around 70,000 samples per year for a wide range of drugs. The program, run by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, maintains a research program for developing and validating assay procedures to keep up with the demand for new and better means of detecting drugs in race horses.

The purpose of this hearing is to address the effectiveness of the program, the adequacy of current financing mechanisms, and to discuss ways that it can be more effective, as testing for prohibited substances in horse racing in New York State has become increasingly important to the integrity of the racing industry and the well-being of the horses.

Oral testimony will be by invitation only. Any persons wishing to present pertinent written testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form by November 16, 2009. It is important that the enclosed reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to fifteen minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on Equine Drug Testing in New York State are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, e-mail or fax it to: