Horses: sale, purchase, or transfer.

Existing law prohibits a person from receiving any form of compensation in connection with the sale or purchase of a racehorse, prospective racehorse, stallion, or broodmare, unless the purchaser and seller have agreed in writing to the payment of that compensation. This bill instead would require any sale, purchase, or transfer of an equine, as defined, to be accompanied by a written bill of sale or acknowledgment of purchase setting forth the purchase price, and signed by both the purchaser and seller or their duly authorized agents, as specified. The bill would provide that it is unlawful for any person to act as a dual agent, as defined, unless certain conditions are met, and would make it unlawful for a person acting as an agent to receive in excess of $500 in compensation or in other items of value, related to that transaction, other than from the agent's principal, unless certain conditions are met. This bill would provide conditions for the enforceability of a contract for a commission on the sale, purchase, or transfer of an equine, as specified. The bill would allow any person injured by a violation of its provisions to recover treble damages. The bill would provide that the board may suspend or revoke the license of any person who violates its provisions.