Stewards - General authority

1. The stewards for each racing meeting are responsible to the commission for the conduct of the race meeting in accordance with the laws of this state and the rules adopted by the commission. The stewards only have authority to resolve conflicts or disputes between all other racing officials or licensees where the disputes are reasonably related to the conduct of each race, or races, and to punish violators of these rules in accordance with the provisions of these rules. 2. Should any steward be absent at race time, the other two stewards shall agree on the appointment of a deputy for the absent steward or if they are unable to agree on a deputy, then the racing secretary shall appoint a deputy for that race. If any deputy steward is appointed, the commission must be notified immediately by the stewards. 3. All three stewards must be present in the stands during the running of each race. 4. The period of authority for the association stewards commences upon issuance of their license by the commission and terminates thirty days after the final meet. 5. Stewards, from their own observations, may take notice of misconduct or rule violations and institute investigations and compliance of possible rules' violations. 6. Stewards may inspect at any time a license document or paper related to horse racing including, without limitation, partnership papers, jockey employment contracts, appointments of authorized agents or jockey agents, jockey agents' engagement records, and the adoption of colors.