(a) In addition to the other duties described in these Rules, the racing judges shall supervise and exercise general authority over the conduct of the race meeting for which they are appointed and over the licensees participating in racing at that race meeting. If a question arises during a race meeting regarding the conduct of racing that is not addressed by the Act or a rule of the Commission, the racing judges shall resolve the question in conformity with custom, precedent, justice, and the best interest of racing.
(b) The racing judges shall decide all questions before them by majority vote.
(c) The racing judges are authorized to:
  (1) interpret and enforce the Act and the Rules of the Commission and to determine all questions, disputes, complaints, or objections relating to racing matters in accordance with the applicable laws;
  (2) issue rulings, which supercede any orders of the association, on racing matters that may change the conduct of a race or a race meeting;
  (3) review applications for individual licenses submitted at a racetrack and make recommendations to the Commission regarding the issuance of individual licenses;
  (4) enter and inspect all official's stands, weighing rooms, kennels, and all other areas on association grounds;
  (5) supervise entries, scratches, and substitutions, and refuse an entry or transfer of entries;
  (6) supervise the grading and schooling of greyhounds and place a greyhound on the schooling list;
  (7) supervise weighing and starting procedures;
  (8) order the examination of a greyhound or the ownership, registration, or identification papers of a greyhound;
  (9) disqualify a greyhound or request proof that a greyhound is eligible to race; and
  (10) perform any other duty necessary on behalf of the commission to ensure a race meeting is conducted in accordance with the Act and the Rules of the Commission.
(d) The racing judges shall prepare a report of actions taken and observations made during each performance. The report must contain the name of the racetrack, the date, a designation of matinee or evening performance, the weather and track conditions, inquiries and objections, and any unusual circumstances or conditions. The report must be signed by each racing judge and be filed with the executive secretary on a weekly basis.
(e) The racing judges shall maintain a detailed log of the racing judges' official activities. The log must describe all questions, disputes, protests, complaints, or objections brought to the attention of the racing judges and all interviews, investigations, and rulings made by the judges. The log must be available at all times for inspection by the executive secretary.
(f) At least one racing judge shall observe the weigh-in for each performance.
(g) The racing judges may not declare a race official until they have determined which greyhounds finished first, second, third, and fourth. The racing judges shall immediately notify the mutuel department of the numbers of the first four greyhounds.
(h) On determining the official order of finish, the racing judges shall direct the order of finish to be announced to the public and the order of finish and the official sign to be displayed on the tote board.
(i) Except as otherwise provided by this section, if the racing judges decide to consult an image from the photofinish equipment, the racing judges may declare the placements of the greyhounds which they have determined to be unquestionable. The photofinish equipment required by these rules is to be merely an aid to the racing judges, and the racing judges' decision is final.

Source Note: The provisions of this §315.31 adopted to be effective October 11, 1990, 15 TexReg 5706; amended to be effective October 30, 2000, 25 TexReg 10738; amended to be effective November 1, 2001, 26 TexReg 8511; amended to be effective September 7, 2003, 28 TexReg 7369; amended to be effective April 4, 2005, 30 TexReg 1628