Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB453: Horse Racing - Laurel Park - Arabian Breed Racing Authorization
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Authorizing a licensee at Laurel Park to conduct live racing of Arabian breed horses; and making the Act an emergency bill.
What the bill says
An act concerning Horse Racing - Laurel Park - Arabian Breed Racing Authorization FOR the purpose of authorizing a licensee at Laurel Park to conduct live racing of Arabian breed horses; and generally relating to live racing of Arabian breed horses. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Business Regulation Section 11-522 Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Horse Racing - Laurel Park - Arabian Breed Racing Authorization FOR the purpose of authorizing a licensee at Laurel Park to conduct live racing of Arabian breed horses; and generally relating to live racing of Arabian breed horses. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Business Regulation Section 11-522 Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Business Regulation 11-522. (a) In this section, "Arabian breed horse" means a horse and (2) has a valid certificate of registry with the Arabian Jockey Club of America. (b) A licensee at Pimlico Race Course OR LAUREL PARK may conduct live racing of Arabian breed horses (2) no more than three Arabian breed races are conducted during a race meet; (3) an Arabian breed race is conducted in addition to, and not in place of, an existing thoroughbred race; (4) an Arabian breed race does not reduce the number of thoroughbred races conducted by the licensee per racing day; (5) the purse for an Arabian breed race is: Ch. 317 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND (i) not funded by the thoroughbred purse account; and (ii) funded by the licensee or the sponsor of the Arabian horse race; …
Sponsors
- J.B. Jennings (R, 7) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 317
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (133-0)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Appropriations
- : Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Appropriations
- : Third Reading Passed (44-0)
- : Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Adopted
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (133-0) (April 8, 2026): 133 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (44-0) (March 3, 2026): 44 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB453?
- SB453 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Horse Racing - Laurel Park - Arabian Breed Racing Authorization.
- What does SB453 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Horse Racing - Laurel Park - Arabian Breed Racing Authorization FOR the purpose of authorizing a licensee at Laurel Park to conduct live racing of Arabian breed horses; and generally relating to live racing of Arabian breed horses. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Business Regulation Section 11-522 Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
- What is the status of SB453?
- Signed into law as of April 28, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 317 (April 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB453?
- J.B. Jennings (R, 7).
- Where is the official record for SB453?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0453?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.