from the New Jersey Assembly Republicans

Trenton, NJ — Sending a strong message that New Jersey does not eat horse meat, the General Assembly approved bipartisan legislation that would ban the slaughter or sale of horses for human consumption.

Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer, R-Ocean, Burlington , Middlesex and Mercer, introduced the measure, A-2023, after a federal ban was lifted last fall that reverses a 2006 decision by Congress to withdraw funding to inspect plants that butchered horses – effectively banning horse consumption.

“New Jersey does not eat horse meat and our horses will not be taken from the stable to a table,” Dancer said. “The horse is New Jersey’s state animal and we appreciate these magnificent animals for their grace and beauty. We do not want them butchered or sold to slaughterhouses in our communities for human consumption.”

The bill would prohibit anyone from knowingly slaughtering or selling a horse for human consumption. Violators would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense with penalties up to $100 and 30 days imprisonment plus civil fines between $500 and $1,000 for each horse slaughtered or each carcass or meat product sold. The penalties and fines are consistent with the current state law in effect that bans the slaughter of man’s best friend, the dog, for human consumption of dog meat.

Although there is strong bipartisan support in Congress to resume the federal ban through the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, Dancer pointed to New Mexico where a slaughterhouse is trying to open and has an application pending before the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“New Jersey is taking the lead on this issue to make sure horses aren’t taken from the pasture to the plate,” Dancer said. “There are several organizations that provide adoption homes for horses, rather than sending them to slaughterhouses for their meat.”

It has bipartisan support from Assemblymen Gilbert “Whip” Wilson and Nelson Albano.

Dancer bill modernizing racetrack gaming with mobile devices approved by Assembly

Racetrack patrons would be permitted to place bets on special mobile gaming devices under legislation approved today by the General Assembly. It is sponsored by Assembly Republican Ronald S. Dancer.

“With this innovation, horse race fans could place a bet and collect their winnings faster than I’ll Have Another – without leaving their seats,” Dancer, R-Ocean, Burlington, Middlesex and Monmouth, said. “Allowing race tracks to take advantage of the technology that has transformed our daily lives will improve the experience for fans and give New Jersey facilities a competitive edge over other states competing for a share of the horse racing market.”

The bill, A-2610, would update the state’s horse racing laws to specifically reference mobile gaming devices and give clear legal standing to their regulated use by the New Jersey Racing Commission. The devices would allow patrons to place bets and receive information about wagers, outcomes and other information about racing, such as viewing live horse races on iPads or iPhones.

The bill stipulates that the mobile electronic gaming devices would be permitted to operate in all indoor and outdoor areas of the racetrack, including designated areas of the Meadowlands complex, such as the American Dream, subject to agreements with facility operators and approval of the racing commission.

“This will merge some of the 21st Century into one of the oldest forms of sport,” Dancer said. “People would no longer have to break from enjoying all of the race track amenities in order to wait in line to place a bet or collect winnings as they have done for decades. This will put New Jersey at the forefront of using modern technology at the horse track.

“Horse racing had missed an entire generation of ‘dot-com’ users and electronic mobile gaming devises should be a sure bet to expand the sport’s fan base,” Dancer added.

A similar proposal allowing hand-held gaming devices at Atlantic City Casinos has been approved this year by committees in the Senate and Assembly. Nevada is the only other state to allow such devices in casinos.

Dancer’s bill has bipartisan support from Assemblyman John Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Connie Wagner.