(a) A breed registry is eligible to request funds from the horse industry escrow account if it is listed in Section 2030.002(a) of the Act.
(b) Events funded from the horse industry escrow account must serve the public purpose of increasing the development, expansion, or diversification of the economy, employment, growth of enterprise, or tourism of the state.
(c) A breed registry requesting an allocation from the horse industry escrow account shall do so using forms approved by the executive director.
(d) When requesting an allocation from the horse industry escrow account, an eligible breed registry shall indicate the event(s) for which it intends to use the funds and provide the following information for each event:
  (1) the date(s) or approximate date(s);
  (2) a detailed description of the event;
  (3) the dollar amount requested for the event;
  (4) a detailed explanation of the budget for the event, with any costs related to personnel, the purchase of assets, and other administrative expenses stated separately; and
  (5) the anticipated economic impact of the event on the horse industry.
(e) The Commission may approve a request for allocation of funds submitted by an eligible breed registry if, after considering the factors set forth in the Act, §2028.204(b), it finds that the request satisfies the requirement that the funds be used for events to further the horse industry. Requests may be approved in full or in part, at the discretion of the Commission.
(f) If the total of funds requested by eligible breed registries exceeds the funds expected to be available in the account, the Commission may approve requests on a pro rata basis, may approve funding for certain events but not others, or a combination. Priority shall be given to events that the Commission finds likely to have the greatest economic impact in the following areas:
  (1) the state's horse racing industry;
  (2) live racing at the state's racetracks;
  (3) the horse breeding industry;
  (4) the state of Texas as a whole; and
  (5) non-racing horse industry activities.
(g) For any request for allocation that does not exceed $50,000, the executive director may act on behalf of the Commission to approve the request or may forward it to the Commission for consideration.

Source Note: The provisions of this §303.321 adopted to be effective November 19, 2019, 44 TexReg 7041; amended to be effective August 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 5508; amended to be effective December 22, 2020, 45 TexReg 9179