Maryland SB231 - Prohibits Slaughter of Racehorses for Commercial Purposes
Summary
Maryland Senate Bill 231 was enacted on April 7, 2026, prohibiting the slaughter of racehorses and related commercial transactions involving racehorses when the person knows or should know the horse will be slaughtered. The bill passed both chambers unanimously (45-0 in the Senate). Fines collected under this law will be distributed to the racing Special Fund administered by the Maryland State Racing Commission.
What changed
The enacted legislation adds a complete prohibition on slaughtering racehorses in Maryland for commercial purposes and bars purchasing, selling, transferring, offering for sale, importing, or transporting a racehorse when the person knows or reasonably should know the horse will be slaughtered for commercial purposes. The law applies to all persons involved in the horse industry supply chain.
Affected parties including horse owners, auction houses, horse dealers, slaughterhouses, and transportation companies must now maintain documentation proving horses will not enter commercial slaughter channels. Auction houses and dealers must verify buyer intentions regarding slaughter. The fine revenue directed to the racing Special Fund creates a financial mechanism supporting the industry while enforcing the slaughter ban.
What to do next
- Verify documentation for any racehorses in possession to confirm they will not enter commercial slaughter channels
- Update purchasing and sales contracts to include warranties that horses will not be slaughtered
- Review transportation and transfer procedures to ensure compliance with new verification requirements
Penalties
Fines collected for violations are to be distributed to the racing Special Fund managed by the Maryland State Racing Commission; specific fine amounts are to be established through Commission rulemaking
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB231 Passed SB231 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-18
Horse Racing - Prohibited Acts - Slaughter of Racehorses for Commercial Purposes
Prohibiting a person from slaughtering or causing the slaughter of a racehorse in the State for certain commercial purposes; prohibiting a person from purchasing, selling, transferring, offering for sale, importing into the State, or transporting a racehorse if the person knows or reasonably should know that the racehorse will be slaughtered for certain commercial purposes; requiring certain fines collected by the State Racing Commission to be distributed to the racing Special Fund; etc.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Budget and Taxation
Action History
2026-04-07 H Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed 2026-04-07 H Favorable Report by Appropriations 2026-03-21 H Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-03-18 H Referred Appropriations 2026-03-18 S Third Reading Passed (45-0) 2026-03-13 S Second Reading Passed 2026-03-13 S Favorable Adopted 2026-03-13 S Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation 2026-01-15 S Hearing 1/21 at 10:00 a.m. 2026-01-14 S First Reading Budget and Taxation 2025-09-17 S Pre-filed
Votes
2026-03-18 Third Reading Passed Yea: 45 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-14 S Budget and Taxation 2026-03-18 H Appropriations
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-11 Introduced 2026-03-13 Engrossed
Subjects
Horse Racing Agriculture, Department of Commerce and Business Committees and Commissions Death Fines Gaming and Gambling horses Licenses Racing Records Revenue and Taxes Rules and Regulations Sports and Recreation Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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