USTA rules change proposals due

Columbus, OH — Rarely does a day go by that someone doesn’t call, email or post on social media about something that the U.S. Trotting Association or harness racing should, or shouldn’t do, to make the sport better.

Each year, the USTA petitions its membership and racing fans to submit proposals for changes that they would like to see made to the organization’s official rules. Now is the time to act and make that happen.

Anyone submitting a rule change proposal must have current USTA membership. Don’t have a USTA membership? You may download the application for new membership here.

Be sure to review the current edition of the USTA Rule Book to determine the rule to which your rule change proposal is referring. If a current rule doesn’t apply, become familiar with which Rule Book section the proposed rule change would fall under.

Complete the USTA Rule Change Proposal Form. Under the section titled “Recommended Rule Change/Addition/Deletion,” cite the current rule, if applicable, with the detailed change clearly identifiable. Under “Justification for Change,” address the following:

— The specific problem or concern relating to the proposed change
— The individual(s) or group(s) that the proposed change will affect
— Explain how the proposed change will fix the issue, or how it will benefit the industry
— Consider possible drawbacks to the proposed change
— Provide supporting information or statistics, if appropriate

All submitted rule change proposals will be presented at each of the 13 annual district meetings. USTA members in attendance at those meetings will review and vote to provide recommendations on each, to be submitted to the full Board of Directors at its annual meeting where the final decisions on rule change proposals are made.

Have additional questions or need help in coming up with appropriate language for a rule change? We’re here to help. Contact T.C. Lane at tc.lane@ustrotting.com or Michele Kopiec at michele.kopiec@ustrotting.com.

Rule change proposals must be submitted no later than Monday (Aug. 30) to the U.S. Trotting Association, 6130 S. Sunbury Rd., Westerville, OH 43081, memberservices@ustrotting.com or 844.229.1338 (fax).

by Michele Kopiec, USTA Racetrack Operations & Licensing Manager