HB 4347 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Gaming: horse racing; Michigan agriculture and equine industry development fund; modify. Amends secs. 2 & 20 of 1995 PA 279 (MCL 431.302 & 431.320). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4346'25

HB 4347 modifies how funds from horse racing operations are allocated to the Michigan Agriculture and Equine Industry Development Fund. It changes specific sections of the 1995 horse racing law to adjust the reallocation process, directly affecting horse racing operations that contribute to the fund. The bill’s key provision is altering the mechanism for directing these funds toward supporting Michigan’s agricultural and equine industries, without specifying new funding levels or programs. This is a procedural change to existing fund allocation rules, not a new program.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Governor

Introduced Apr 17, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute (H-2) → Substitute (H-4) · 1 edit

MINOR

The document shows a version update from Substitute (H-2) to Substitute (H-4), indicated by changes in the header identifiers. No substantive policy changes, such as new laws, funding amounts, or eligibility criteria, are visible in the provided text.

TECHNICAL

The bill version identifier was updated from H-2 to H-4, and associated tracking codes were changed, indicating a revision in the legislative drafting process.

House Introduced Bill → As Passed by the House · 7 edits · Feb 26, 2026

MODERATE

This bill amends the Michigan Horse Racing Law to update definitions, clarify the role of the racing commissioner, and significantly restructure funding for equine programs. The most notable change is the creation of a new 'Michigan agriculture equine industry development fund' to replace the previous system, with specific percentage allocations for standardbred, thoroughbred, and other breed programs. The bill also introduces new requirements for certified horsemen's organizations and adjusts how purses and breeder awards are calculated and distributed.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of funding by creating a dedicated development fund and adds new categories for funding specific breed programs (Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Arabian, and Paint Horse) that were not previously detailed in this manner. It also clarifies the applicability of the law to fairs and racetracks.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Certified horsemen's organization,' 'Day of operation,' 'Pari-mutuel,' 'Purse pool,' and 'Veterinarian,' while updating existing definitions to include specific criteria for affiliates and controlled substances.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the definition of 'Affiliate' to explicitly include relationships with persons holding race meeting or track licenses and set a specific threshold for controlling interest at more than 15%.

Added a cap on total annual funding from the development fund at $8,000,000, with any excess allocated to the pari-mutuel horse racing disbursement account.

FISCAL

Created the 'Michigan agriculture equine industry development fund' within the Department of Treasury, establishing specific percentage allocations from the fund for standardbred, thoroughbred, quarter horse, and other breed programs.

Established new special funds, including a 'special standardbred sire stakes fund' and a 'special thoroughbred sire stakes fund,' to provide purses for specific age groups and Michigan-sired horses.

Revised the allocation percentages for various programs, such as changing the standardbred fair program allocation to 16% and adjusting breeder awards to 20% of the gross purse for standardbred harness horses.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated the definition of 'Commissioner' to clarify the transfer of authority from the abolished racing commissioner position to the executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Floor votes · House Feb 26, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 4, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY AFFAIRS

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Introduced

title amended

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #59 Yeas 86 Nays 20 Excused 0 Not Voting 4

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

substitute (H-4) adopted

lower

Dec 11, 2025

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Dec 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation with substitute (H-4)

lower

Oct 21, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Rules

lower

Jul 24, 2025

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Jul 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation with substitute (H-2)

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Agriculture

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Tom Kunse

lower

1 primary · 14 co-sponsors