Maine § 263-A. - Commission responsibilities

§ 263-A.. Commission responsibilities

The commission has the following responsibilities under this chapter.   [PL 1997, c. 528, §6 (NEW).]

1.  Rulemaking.  The commission shall adopt rules for:

A. The conduct of harness racing and off-track betting facilities, including rules that may reduce the required number of separate live races for a licensee that is associated with an agricultural fair as defined in Title 7, section 81 to qualify as a racing program from 8 separate live races to 7 separate live races if a minimum number of horses is not available;   [PL 2019, c. 626, §1 (AMD).]

B. The licensing of racetracks and off-track betting facilities;   [PL 1997, c. 528, §6 (NEW).]

C. The licensing of individuals participating in harness racing and off-track betting facilities, including rules requiring applicants to submit information sufficient for the report required to be submitted by the executive director of the commission as required by section 1037;   [PL 2011, c. 358, §3 (AMD).]

D. The procedures for hearing appeals from decisions of track judges;   [PL 1997, c. 528, §6 (NEW).]

E. The procedures and standards for setting race dates; and   [PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. A, §8 (AMD).]

F. Any other responsibility assigned to the commission under this chapter.   [PL 1997, c. 528, §6 (NEW).]

Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A.  

2.  Appeals.  The commission shall hear appeals of decisions of track judges involving violations of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter.

3.  Licensing of tracks and off-track betting facilities.  The commission shall license racetracks and off-track betting facilities as provided in sections 271 and 275‑D.

4.  Setting race dates.  The commission shall set race dates as provided under section 271.

5.  Establishing minimum number of race dates for commercial tracks.  The commission shall establish a minimum number of race dates for commercial tracks.

6.  Promotion of harness racing.  The commission shall promote harness racing in the State through the formation of advisory subcommittees, the facilitation of marketing plans and the expenditure or granting of funds.

7.  Input on the promotion of harness racing.  The commission shall invite input from a statewide association of harness horse owners, trainers and drivers, a statewide association of Standardbred breeders, a statewide association of agricultural fairs and persons who are members of organizations representing the interests of commercial harness racing tracks and off-track betting facilities on the marketing and promotion of harness racing in this State.