Section 40. General powers and authority

A steward or the stewards shall be responsible to the commission, shall have authority over all holders of permits, and shall have authority to resolve conflicts or disputes that are related to the conduct of racing or operation of the satellite facilities in accordance with the Code of Virginia and the regulations of the commission.

A steward or the stewards shall exercise immediate supervision, control and regulation of horse racing at each race meeting and at all satellite facilities licensed by the commission. The powers of the stewards shall include:

1. Reviewing the conduct of all racing officials, track management, permitted personnel, other persons responsible for the conduct of racing and simulcasting, and patrons as necessary, to ensure compliance with these regulations and the Code of Virginia;

2. Determining all questions, disputes, protests, complaints, and objections concerning live horse racing and simulcast horse racing and enforcing their rulings;

3. Taking disciplinary action against any holder of a permit or participant found violating federal laws, state laws, local ordinances or regulations of the commission;

4. Reviewing applications for permits and either granting or denying permits to participate in horse racing at race meetings or satellite facilities. Nothing in these regulations shall be construed to prohibit the granting of a permit with such conditions as the stewards may deem appropriate;

5. Enforcing the regulations of the commission in all matters pertaining to horse racing and satellite facilities;

6. Issuing rulings pertaining to the conduct of horse racing and satellite facilities;

7. Varying any arrangement for the conduct of a race meeting including but not limited to postponing a race or races, canceling a race, or declaring a race "no contest";

8. Requesting assistance from other commission employees, law-enforcement officials, racing officials, members of the horse-racing industry or the licensee's security service in the investigation of possible statutory or rule violations;

9. Conducting hearings on all questions, disputes, protests, complaints, or objections concerning racing matters and satellite facilities;

10. Substituting another qualified person where any racing official is unable to perform his duties;

11. Issuing subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses to appear before them, administering oaths and compelling the production of any of the books, documents, records, or memoranda of any licensee or permit holder. In addition, the stewards may issue subpoenas to compel the production of an annual balance sheet and operating statement of any licensee or permit holder and may require the production of any contract to which such person is or may be a party. The stewards may also issue subpoenas to compel production of records or other documents or relevant things and the testimony of witnesses whenever, in their judgment, it is necessary to do so for the effectual discharge of their duties;

12. Placing horses on the Stewards' List for unsatisfactory performance; and

13. Interpreting the regulations and deciding all questions of racing not specifically covered by the regulations.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR662-03-03 § 4, eff. September 26, 1991; amended, Volume 14, Issue 11, eff. March 19, 1998; Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. September 4, 2006; Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. November 4, 2006.

Statutory Authority

§ 59.1-369 of the Code of Virginia.