New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 2 - AGRICULTURE › Chapter 32 - SIRE STAKES PROGRAM › Subchapter 2 - NEW JERSEY SIRE STAKES CONDITIONS › Section 2:32-2.1 - Adoption of by-laws

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The by-laws of the New Jersey Sire Stakes Board are hereby adopted as follows:
1. There is hereby established in the State of New Jersey a Sire Stakes Program for Standardbred horses, bred in the State of New Jersey and to be the product of a registered New Jersey stallion, registered with the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey as such and listed in their registry books.
2. Those horses eligible to race under the Sire Stakes Program shall be any foal of any registered New Jersey stallion standing at a New Jersey breeding farm and either owned by a resident of the State of New Jersey or leased by a resident thereof for a period of not less than 10 years to stand the full season on a New Jersey breeding farm. A copy of any such lease shall be filed with the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Sire Stakes.
3. The Sire Stakes Program shall be administered by a Board of Trustees consisting of five members, four appointed by the Governor, two of whom shall be members of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, two representatives of racing interests generally, and the Secretary of Agriculture ex-officio. Of the members first appointed, the term of office of one appointee from the Breeders and Owners Association shall be for two years, and the other appointed member of such association shall be for a term of one year; the term of office for one appointee representing racing interests generally shall be for two years, and the other appointee representing racing interests generally shall be for a term of one year. Thereafter, appointments shall be for terms of two years.
4. No member of the Board of Trustees shall be compensated for his services; however, reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in connection with duties as members of the Board may be reimbursed.
5. The Board of Trustees is authorized to do all that is necessary for the proper administration of the Sire Stakes Program and shall prepare, issue, and promulgate rules providing for:
i. Classes and divisions of races, eligibility of horses and owners therefor, and prizes and awards to be awarded;
ii. Nominating, sustaining, and entry fees for horses and races;
iii. Such temporary programs including eligibility of horses, breeding, and other matters as may be necessary to make the Sire Stakes Program operable as soon as possible;
iv. Registration and certification of New Jersey stallions, mares bred to such stallions, and foals produced thereby; and
v. Such other matters as the Board determines to be necessary and appropriate for the proper administration and implementation of the Sire Stakes Program.
6. The funds for the Sire Stakes Program pursuant to 5:5-91 and the nominating, sustaining, and entry fees provided for herein, shall be administered by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture by deposit in a trust account entitled Sire Stakes Fund.
7. All disbursements from the Sire Stakes fund for the payment of purses and awards, cost of administration, reimbursement of expenses of members of the Board of Trustees, and any other appropriate expenses, shall be made by the Secretary of Agriculture or his designee.
8. A report shall be prepared and filed annually by the Secretary with the Racing Commission setting forth an itemization of all deposits to and expenditures from the Sire Stakes fund.
9. Sire Stakes Races shall be run only at licensed harness tracks in the State of New Jersey. The races, purses and awards awarded therefor shall be pursuant to the rules of the Board of Trustees hereunder and the New Jersey Racing Commission.
10. The five-member Board of Trustees shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman at the meeting in January of each year.
11. The secretary of the Sire Stakes Board of Trustees need not be a member of the Board and shall be appointed each year by the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture.
12. The Sire Stakes Board of Trustees shall meet bimonthly during the year. The date, time, and place will be selected by the chairman, and the secretary shall notify all Board members by letter 10 days prior to each meeting.
13. In order for the Board of Trustees to conduct any official business at special monthly meetings, a quorum must be present. A quorum is defined as consisting of at least three of the five members.
14. The chairman is authorized to call special meetings when necessary by instructing the secretary to give each member 10 days' notice in writing.
15. The Board of Trustees by-laws can be amended by a four-out-of-five vote of the membership of the Board of Trustees.