Negotiations over proposed Kentucky legislation that would require disclosure of ownership and veterinary records of horses sold at public auction were held Feb. 13 at Keeneland in Lexington, with some tentative settlement plans discussed that would table the bill for at least a year.

Officials with the Horse Owners’ Protective Association, which is backing the controversial legislation introduced into the Kentucky House Feb. 8, met with sales company and consignor association representatives to voice their respective opinions. The bill, HB 388, is scheduled to have its first hearing in a joint committee Feb. 14 at the Kentucky Capitol Annex in Frankfort.

The bill has the backing of California winemaker and Thoroughbred horseman Jess Jackson, who is a director of HOPA. Jackson championed dual agency legislation in 2006 that was eventually voted into Kentucky law.

Those present at the meeting were reluctant to talk about any details of the discussions, saying that a final agreement hasn’t been reached. But some expressed optimism that some sort of deal would be worked out