Thoroughbred horse racing would be governed by a uniform national medication program under legislation introduced this week in the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the Thoroughbred racing industry operates under a variety of medication policies and practices across more than 30 different jurisdictions.

Introduced on July 16 by U.S. Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), co-chairmen of the Congressional Horse Caucus, the bipartisan Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 would establish an independent nongovernmental anti-doping authority responsible for implementing a national uniform medication program. The legislation’s sponsors say it would encourage fair competition, assure full disclosure to purchasers of breeding stock and the wagering public, and enhance horse and jockey safety and welfare.

“The racing industry has taken significant steps toward medication reform in the past several years,” Tonko said, “and this legislation will build on that progress by providing a uniform national solution that sets the highest standards of independence, fairness, and integrity.”

The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI)—a group of horse racing and humane organizations—offered support for the legislation