b' Attended Free Roaming Equine and Ecosystem Sustainability Advocating for Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Actthe House Summit to discuss current issues surrounding the wild horse andversion gained 289 co-sponsors by the close of 2018, successfully burro situation.advocated for introduction of a Senate companion, which gained Provided written comments and strategic support for municipal and45 cosponsors in 2018.state efforts to protect and preserve equestrian access to public Monitoring Horse Protection Act proposed regulatory changeslands and local/state/federal parks.which continues to be in a holding pattern Fought for improved access and standardized protocols for Advocated for industry engagement in the development of more members engaged in international transport of horses into and outsupportive Import/Export Regulations; specifically 60 to 90 days of the United States. rule change Continued efforts of the United Horse Coalition (formerly Unwanted Supported Equine Disease Communication Center, and collaborated Horse Coalition) to educate the public on responsible ownershipwith various organizations and agencies on Disaster Responseand reduce the number of unwanted horses.Provided education and advocated for changes to proposedContinued Equine Welfare Data Collective, a data collectionElectronic Logging Devices and Commercial Drivers Licenseinitiative to provide population metrics of horses at-risk and in Collaborated with industry on development of www.Horselookup.transition.org, an equine microchip look up tool Continued promotion of the 2017 Equine Industry EconomicContinued efforts of the United Horse Coalition (formerly Unwanted Impact Study.Horse Coalition) to educate the public on responsible ownership andContinued collaboration with AAEP on research challenges withreduce the number of unwanted horses and by offering low cost or goal of holding Equine Research Summit in 2020 to include fundersno cost gelding clinics. Also offered microchips and complimentary and researchers.registrations to gelding clinics and rescue organizations. Continued AHC Marketing Alliance Time to Ride program which has Launched the Equine Welfare Data Collective, a data collection exposed over 135,000 newcomers to horses and equine pursuits.initiative to provide population metrics of horses at-risk and in transition. Data will be analyzed on a national and regional level, 2018 ACCOMPLISHMENTS and data reports will be released to the public free of charge. The first round of data collection launched November 1, 2018. For the second year in a row, successfully advocated for increased, Completed Equine Industry Economic Impact Study and reported dedicated funds for Equine Assisted Activities and Therapiesresults to Congressional Horse Caucus and equine industry (EAAT) for veterans, championed by Rep. Barr, from $1 million toorganizations. Reports available www.horsecouncil.org $1.5 million, within the FY2019 Department of Veterans Affairs Promoted Safe Sport, provided education to AHC members on (VA) spending package.requirements, and formed Safe Sport Task Force to help direct non- Clarified a provision in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (farmUSEF organizations to resources.bill) to preserve classification of horses as livestock, as opposed to Conducted research projects on show/competition entry pets or companion animals, while allowing horses to be coveredimpediments and incentives, and equine health issues. within the context of a broader womens safety program. Authorized major livestock health measures within the 2018 farm Continued collaboration with AAEP on research challenges with bill, including the Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention Program,goal of holding Equine Research Summit in 2019 to include funders creation of a Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank, and increasedand researchers. funding for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network Continued AHC Marketing Alliance Time to Ride program which has (NAHLN). exposed over 132,000 newcomers to horses and equine pursuits inTax Policysuccessfully extended an expired three-yearthe last six years.depreciation incentive for racehorses through 2017, and advocating for an additional extension through 2018. 2017 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Tax Reform - monitoring regulatory clarifications to the Tax Cuts and Published the National Equine Health Plan (NEHP) in conjunction Jobs Act of 2017, especially as they relate to new tax deductionswith the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the for small business, aka, pass-through entities; advocating forUnited States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and state animal repeal of the Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) burdenshealth officials. The goals of the NEHP are to protect the health imposed on non-profits.and welfare of the U.S. equine population, facilitate the continuedPushed reforms to the H2A Agriculture Guest Worker visa program,interstate and international movement of horses and their products, clarifying that diverse segments of the horse industry automaticallyensure the availability of regulatory services, and protect the qualify for an expanded pool of farm worker visas.economic continuity of business in the equine industry. Worked on reforms to the H2B Guest worker Program and the Ensured favorable tax provisions for the equine industry in the Tax increase on the H-2B visa capCuts and Jobs act of 2017 passed at the end of December: cuttingAdvocating for RNR Act, ROPARecreation Not Red Tape Act,corporate tax rates, reducing most individual tax rates, doubling Restore Our Parks Act; these bills remove barriers to outdoorthe estate tax exemption from $5 million to $10 million, and a recreation, making it easier for more Americans to get outdoors- 20% deduction for pass-through entities such as partnerships, -enjoying its benefits and generating jobs. Expediting permitting,sole proprietorships and S corporations. Additionally, an increase encouraging volunteers for maintenance, etc.in Bonus Depreciation from 50 percent to 100 percent for bothFacilitating implementation of the National Forest Trailsnew and used property acquired and put into service after Sept. Stewardship Act; directs the Forest Service to develop a strategy27, 2017, and before Jan. 1, 2023; and the Section 179 Deduction to more effectively utilize volunteers and partners to assist inincreased from $500,000 to $1 million for new and used property, maintaining national forest trailsand the phase-out threshold for the deduction has been increased from $2 million to $2.5 million.10AHC ACCOMPLISHMENTS2020 HORSE INDUSTRY DIRECTORY'