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HomeHorse Law NewsTitle: Michigan Launches Qualified Small Distiller Program with Applications Open Until June...

Title: Michigan Launches Qualified Small Distiller Program with Applications Open Until June 13, 2025

Applications due June 13, 2025 at 5 p.m.

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) announced today that they will accept online applications for the Qualified Small Distiller Program from May 12, 2025 to June 13, 2025.

"MDARD is committed to maintaining Michigan’s agricultural diversity and continuing to foster unique opportunities within the food and agriculture industries," said MDARD Director and MCBC Chair Tim Boring. "The Qualified Small Distiller Program promotes the sale of Michigan grain to produce spirits and helps to encourage business growth and economic opportunity for our farmers, craft distillers and communities throughout the state."

PA 135 of 2022, signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, aims to assist Michigan’s growing craft distillery industry by lowering markup costs on bottles of spirits produced with at least 40 percent Michigan-grown grain. Lowered markup costs increase the sale of bottled spirits, producing more revenue for Michigan grain farmers and craft distillers who are looking to grow their businesses.

"Michigan’s craft beverage industry is positioned for continued growth and development in part because we grow the inputs right here in the state," said Jenelle Jagmin, MCBC Director. "Since 2019, the Michigan Craft Beverage Council has invested more than $2.5 million in research and education projects, including numerous projects which enhance our understanding of how to grow top-quality distilling grains."

Under state law, Michigan distillers that produce no more than 60,000 gallons of spirits per year are eligible to apply for the Qualified Distiller Program. Out-of-state entities that produce no more than 60,000 gallons of spirits per year may also qualify for the program provided they meet additional requirements. Entities applying for this certification may be eligible for a reduced markup beginning January 1, 2026.

View the online Qualified Small Distiller application and learn more about the program, including fees and frequently asked questions, on the MDARD website. Questions about the Qualified Distiller Program can be directed to MDARD-QualifiedDistiller@michigan.gov.

More information about the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, including research grants and industry communications, can be viewed on the Michigan Craft Beverage Council webpage.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) will accept online applications for the Qualified Small Distiller Program from May 12 to June 13, 2025. This initiative aims to support Michigan’s agricultural diversity and promote local grain sales for spirit production, fostering economic growth for farmers and craft distillers.

The program is part of PA 135 of 2022, which was signed into law to assist the craft distillery industry by reducing markup costs on spirits made with at least 40% Michigan-grown grain. This reduction is expected to boost sales and revenue for both distillers and grain farmers, contributing to the overall growth of Michigan’s craft beverage sector.

Eligible distillers must produce no more than 60,000 gallons of spirits annually, with out-of-state producers also qualifying under specific conditions. Successful applicants may benefit from reduced markup starting January 1, 2026. For more details, interested parties can visit the MDARD website or contact the department directly.

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Title: NTRA Advocates for RACE Act to Boost Thoroughbred Racing Participation


The National Thoroughbred Racing Association continues to work actively on Capitol Hill to help to expand investments in the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

The NTRA is an active supporter of the Regulation Advancement for Capital Enhancement Act of 2025, which makes it easier for everyone to experience the thrill of owning a horse. The act will automatically approve offering statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission if they are substantially similar to offerings that have been approved before, simplifying the registration process.

“Thanks to companies like MyRacehorse, thousands of people across the country get to experience the excitement of owning a winning horse,” said NTRA president and CEO Tom Rooney. “Thoroughbred racing is America’s best and oldest sport, and we need to encourage more people to get involved. We can’t penalize individuals and companies interested in fractional participation due to excessive federal regulations. The RACE Act is one way we can ensure that more people can participate in the sport of racing.

“Fractional ownership models similar to MyRacehorse and others have only grown in popularity in the U.S., especially since last year’s Preakness, and have been prevalent in other major racing hubs like Japan and Australia partially because they give fans who might not otherwise be able to own a racehorse another avenue to connect with the sport.”

In advance of Kentucky Derby 2025, Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced the RACE Act of 2025, a bill which aims to simplify the registration process required by the SEC. The bill will increase the ability of innovative companies like MyRacehorse to securitize thoroughbred racehorses and open the doors for more individuals to participate in America’s oldest sport.

“The RACE Act removes unnecessary regulatory barriers so more Americans can invest in the future of horse racing,” Congressman Barr said. “This legislation is about modernizing capital markets, supporting Kentucky jobs, and preserving the heritage of the sport we love. At a time when the industry needs revitalization, this bill gives companies the tools to innovate and grow.”

The full bill is available on the U.S. Congress website.

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Title: "Pimlico Race Course Set for Major Transformation: A New Era in Maryland Horse Racing"


ALL 117 ACRES OF PIMLICO WILL BE TRANSFORMED. 40 NEW BUILDINGS ARE PLANNED, INCLUDING THE STAKES BARN, BUT THIS AREA PROVED TO BE SO POPULAR THEY’LL BE REBUILT WITH PUBLIC ACTIVITY SPACE IN MIND. THE LAST CALL FOR RACING AT OLD HILLTOP, AND THE TRUMPETING OF A NEW ERA TRANSFORMING PIMLICO INTO THE HUB OF MARYLAND HORSE RACING. THE STORIED, DECADES LONG JOURNEY TO THE FINISH LINE, FULL OF TORTUOUS TWISTS AND TURNS, IS FINALLY BEATING THE ODDS. THIS IS REAL. I DON’T THINK ANYBODY WILL BELIEVE IT UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY START TEARING THINGS DOWN. GREG CROSS IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MARYLAND THOROUGHBRED RACETRACK OPERATING AUTHORITY. THE AUTHORITY CAME UP WITH THE PLAN NOW WRITTEN INTO STATE LAW TO REIMAGINE MARYLAND HORSE RACING AND PUT PIMLICO AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL. THE GROUP WILL RELINQUISH ITS ROLE TO THE MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY AT THE END OF JUNE. CROSS GAVE US A WALKING TOUR HIGHLIGHTING WHAT SOME OF THE CHANGES WILL LOOK LIKE, STARTING WITH THE CLUBHOUSE. ALL THIS IS GOING TO GO. THERE WILL BE MULTIPLE VENUES INSIDE. IT’LL IT’LL LOOK. IT’LL FEEL A LOT DIFFERENT. GRANDSTAND SEATING WILL BE REDUCED TO 5000. THE NEW CLUBHOUSE WILL BE SMALLER TOO, BUT MORE GRAND. THE DESIGN IS INSPIRED BY THE ORIGINAL PIMLICO CLUBHOUSE AND LANDMARKS LIKE THE RAWLINGS CONSERVATORY IN DRUID HILL PARK. THERE WILL BE ARCHES, BALCONIES AND SPACE FOR YEAR ROUND GATHERINGS ON RACING AND NON-RACING DAYS. SOME OF THE OLD BEAMS FROM THE GRANDSTAND WILL BE USED TO CONSTRUCT THE NEW CLUBHOUSE, WHICH WILL REMAIN IN THE SAME FOOTPRINT. THE ANGLE OF THE CLUBHOUSE ACTUALLY NATURALLY KEEPS THE SUN FROM BEING IN THE IN THE FACES OF THE JOCKEYS AND THE HORSES AS THEY COME DOWN THE STRETCH. HISTORY IS ALSO BEING PRESERVED BY THE TRACK ITSELF. PLANS TO ROTATE IT 30 DEGREES HAVE BEEN SCRAPPED, SAVING SOME $30 MILLION. THE PREAKNESS INFIELD WILL REMAIN AS OPEN SPACE. FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY. GO WITH THE FLOW OF PLANNED EVENTS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE CONCERTS, FESTIVALS, VENDORS WITH HIGH END MERCHANDISE AND CORPORATE VILLAGES. SOME OF THE PATHS WILL BE PART OF PIMLICO’S FUTURE STATE ARCHIVISTS HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE BUILDINGS TOP TO BOTTOM. THEY’VE CATALOGED EVERY SINGLE HISTORICAL ELEMENT. AS SOON AS THE RACE IS OVER, THEY’LL START REMOVING ALL OF THOSE. THEY’LL STORE ALL OF THEM. WE’RE GOING TO TRY. THE PLAN IS TO INCORPORATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE INTO THE NEW BUILD, AND BRING THOSE BACK TO THE EXTENT THEY’RE NOT BROUGHT BACK, THEN THEY’LL BE DISPERSED FOR OTHER DISPLAY AROUND THE STATE. ALL THE PIMLICO BARNS WILL BE RAZED AND REBUILT, LARGE ENOUGH TO HOUSE 400 HORSES. THE STAKES BARNS WILL BE REBUILT WITH PUBLIC SPACE IN MIND. THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PREAKNESS. OPTIONS INCLUDE WEDDING AND RECEPTION VENUES. THE UNIVERSE OF HORSE RACING IN MARYLAND WILL INCLUDE A NEW TRAINING FACILITY. THE STATE BOUGHT THE 378 ACRE SHAMROCK FARM FROM THE FAMED ROONEY FAMILY, WHO ALSO OWNED THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS. THERE WILL BE BARN SPACE FOR 800 HORSES. SOME OF THE LAND COULD BE RENTED TO HORSE OWNERS WHO WANT TO BUILD THEIR OWN BARNS AND LIVING QUARTERS NEARBY. IT’S PASTORAL, SO THE HORSES CAN BE TURNED OUT. THERE’S NOT SPACE TO TURN OUT HORSES HERE. CURRENTLY, THE IT’S 20 MINUTES FROM PIMLICO AND WE’VE ENJOYED FULL SUPPORT FROM CARROLL COUNTY. THE NEW PIMLICO WILL HOST MORE THAN 100 RACING DAYS. IT CURRENTLY HOLDS 15 CECIL. PUBLIC SKEPTICISM REMAINS. WE’VE GONE FROM A BILL ENACTED AND A CONCEPT AND A PLAN TO ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION, BUT WE’RE REALLY MOVING FORWARD THIS TIME. DEMOLITION BEGINS IN LATE JUNE, EARLY JULY, THE PREAKNESS MOVES TO LAUREL NEXT YEAR. AUTHORITIES SAY, BECAUSE THE TRACK WILL NOT BE ROTATED, THE CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE ALMOST GUARANTEES THE PREAKNESS RETURNS HERE IN 2027.

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