6. The committee's approval, disapproval and/or recommendations with regard to each proposal or its adoption of a budget shall be sent to the commission. * 7. (a) The moneys appropriated or transferred to the fund from the general fund of the state treasury pursuant to subdivision one-a of section seven hundred three of this article shall be expended for a three-year research project conducted pursuant to an agreement between the dean of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and the executive director of the commission. Such agreement shall, at a minimum, require the following:

1. (i) proposed research to identify the incident of fetlock fractures and pre-fracture pathology in thoroughbred racehorses, with and without lameness;
2. (ii) proposed research to determine the sensitivity and specificity of standing computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of thoroughbred racehorses compared to that of digital radiographs;
3. (iii) use of photo-counting computed tomography and high field magnetic resonance imaging to further define early bone pathology in thoroughbred racehorses that suffer fatal fractures of the fetlock joint, to further characterize blood biomarker findings in healthy and clinically lame horses in a large population of thoroughbred racehorses;
4. (iv) attempted refinement of a risk factor index for fatal musculoskeletal injury for thoroughbred racing based on epidemiological findings, preliminary scanning technology, clinical examination, and advance imaging; and
5. (v) that an annual update shall be provided to the governor, temporary president of the senate, and speaker of the assembly regarding the progression of the research project. Such annual update to the governor, temporary president of the senate, and speaker of the assembly shall be due no later than December first each year. The final report outlined in paragraph (c) of this subdivision shall satisfy the annual report requirement outlined in this subparagraph for the last year of the study.
6. (b) The moneys appropriated or transferred to the fund from the general fund of the state treasury pursuant to subdivision one-a of section seven hundred three of this article may be used to purchase equipment and fund staffing needs necessary to carry out the research tasks specified in paragraph (a) of this subdivision.

7. (c) A final report that describes the results of the research project shall be provided to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the commission, the franchised corporation, and any entity licensed pursuant to article two of this chapter. Such final report shall include, at a minimum:

   1. (i) an accounting of all expenditures related to the research project outlined in this subdivision, including expenditures for equipment, supplies, personnel, operations, and administration;
   2. (ii) a description of the procedures for selecting horse participants in the research project outlined in this subdivision, including criteria for selection and any screening or eligibility requirements; and
   3. (iii) a summary of findings gathered from the research project outlined in this subdivision, including an analysis of risk factors contributing to racehorse injuries and conclusions drawn regarding safety protocols.
8. (d) The researcher may also make recommendations for changes to any existing rules or regulations that the researcher may determine would be helpful toward maintaining the health of the equine athlete.
9. (e) To the extent practicable, screenings and advanced imaging services conducted pursuant to this agreement may be conducted near racetracks at both Belmont and Saratoga.

10. (f)

    1. (i) Screenings and advanced imaging services of horses enrolled in the research project shall be offered to horsemen free of charge.
    2. (ii) Subject to availability, Cornell Ruffian may provide screenings and imaging services for New York horses that are not enrolled in the research project. Cornell Ruffian may only charge such owners and trainers its actual costs for any screening or imaging service provided to such non-enrolled horse.
    3. (iii) Cornell Ruffian shall have no responsibility to interpret or analyze the results of any scan or advanced image provided to an owner or trainer of a non-enrolled horse.
    4. (iv) For purposes of this paragraph, a New York horse is a horse that has been stabled in New York for four of the six months immediately preceding the date of the screening or advance imaging.
    5. (v) The costs charged associated with screenings and advanced images authorized pursuant to this subparagraph shall be included in the annual update outlined in subparagraph (v) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision.
11. (g) Any screening and imaging equipment purchased pursuant to this subdivision shall be owned by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. * NB Repealed September 1, 2028