§150. Licenses to owners, trainers, jockeys, and riders; qualifications of applicant for a license

A. The Commission may grant, refuse, suspend, or withdraw licenses to horse owners, jockeys, riders, agents, trainers, grooms, stable foremen, exercise boys, veterinarians, valets, platers, and/or anyone licensed pursuant to this Part and any rules and regulations the Commission adopts and upon the payment of a license fee as fixed pursuant to this Part. No license under this section shall be granted for more than one fiscal year, but a license issued pursuant to this Part is valid at all race meetings in the state during the period. Any license may be revoked by the commission and any person whose license has been revoked is ineligible to participate in racing unless the license is returned by the commission with permission to operate thereunder. No license shall be refused to any applicant who is qualified in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the commission; and no license shall be revoked without just cause.

The granting of a license to a trainer shall make him responsible for and be the absolute insurer of the condition of the horses he enters regardless of acts of third parties.

B. Applicants for a license under this Section shall meet the following qualifications and conditions:

(1) Is a person of good character and reputation and meets the age requirements for the particular license as set forth in the Rules of Racing.

(2) Has not been convicted of a felony under the laws of the United States, the state of Louisiana, or any other state or country; provided, however, that the commission may, at its discretion, issue or renew a license, where the applicant or licensee has maintained a good record and evidenced honest character from the date of expiration of sentence, and for good cause shown.

(3) Has not, nor has his partner, agent, employee or associate knowingly associated or consorted with any person or persons who have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction or jurisdictions or is knowingly consorting or associating with bookmakers, touts, or persons of similar pursuits or has himself engaged in similar pursuits or has been found guilty of any fraud or misrepresentation in connection with racing, breeding, or otherwise or has violated any law, rule, or regulation, with respect to racing in this or any other jurisdiction or any rule, regulation, or order of the commission, or has been guilty or engaged in similar related or like practices, provided, however, that the commission may issue or renew a license or refuse to suspend or revoke a license issued, where the applicant or licensee has not engaged in such association or activities for a period of ten years or for good cause shown.

(4) Is financially responsible.

(5) Possesses the required experience and knowledge required for the particular license applied for as set forth in the Rules of Racing.

(6) REPEALED BY ACTS 1992, No. 281, §2, EFF. JUNE 11, 1992.

(7) Fully complies with the form requirements printed by the racing commission.

(8) Is physically fit.

(9) Has not been convicted of violating any municipal or parish ordinances adopted pursuant to the provisions of the chapter. If the applicant has been so convicted, the granting of a license is within the discretion of the racing commission.

(10) Is not the spouse of a person whose application has been denied or whose license has been revoked, unless judicially separated or divorced.

(11) Certifies that he has read or has had read to him the rules of racing and agrees to abide by these rules, and further certifies under written oath that all of the information on the application for license is true and correct.

(12) Is not in bad standing in any racing jurisdiction.

C. An applicant for licensure as a jockey, apprentice jockey, exercise person, groom, or hot walker must be at least sixteen years of age.

D. Owners, trainers, and jockeys licensed pursuant to this Section shall be admitted without charge to all racing facilities and offtrack wagering facilities.

Acts 1968, No. 554, §1. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 666, §1; Acts 1987, No. 495, §1; Acts 1992, No. 281, §§1 and 2, eff. June 11, 1992.