SECTION 309.168. Hazardous Weather

(a) An association shall develop a hazardous weather and lightning protocol to be approved by the Commission.

(b) The executive director shall designate the personnel responsible for immediately investigating any known impending threat of dangerous weather conditions to determine if conditions exist that warrant delay of a performance and/or the notification of the public of such threatening weather conditions. The first priority in all such decision-making shall be the well-being and safety of all persons and animals.

(c) The stewards shall implement a race delay when:

(1) lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the racetrack, to remain in effect until a minimum of 30 minutes has passed since the last strike is observed within an eight-mile radius; or

(2) the facility is within the affected area of a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning as announced by the National Weather Service, to remain in effect until the facility is no longer within the affected area.

Source Note: The provisions of this §309.168 adopted to be effective December 7, 2008, 33 TexReg 10003; amended to be effective June 7, 2021, 46 TexReg 3517