Maryland § 9-1A-09

§ 9-1A-09.

    (a)    In this section, “racing licensee” means the holder of a license issued by the State Racing Commission to hold a race meeting in the State under Title 11 of the Business Regulation Article.

    (b)    As a condition of eligibility for funding under § 9–1A–29 of this subtitle, a racing licensee shall:

        (1)    (i)    for Rosecroft Raceway, conduct a minimum of 60 annual live racing days unless otherwise agreed to by the racing licensee and the organization that represents the majority of licensed standardbred owners and trainers in the State or unless the racing licensee is prevented by weather, acts of God, or other circumstances beyond the racing licensee’s control; and

            (ii)    for Ocean Downs Racetrack, conduct a minimum of 40 annual live racing days unless otherwise agreed to by the racing licensee and the organization that represents the majority of licensed standardbred owners and trainers in the State or unless the racing licensee is prevented by weather, acts of God, or other circumstances beyond the racing licensee’s control;

        (2)    develop and submit to the State Racing Commission a multiyear plan to improve the quality and marketing of horse racing at racetrack locations owned or operated by the racing licensee in Maryland, which shall include:

            (i)    goals, indicators, and timelines for specific actions that will be taken by the racing licensee to improve the quality and marketing of the horse racing industry in Maryland; and

            (ii)    a master plan for capital improvements that reflects, at a minimum:

                1.    commitments that have been made to the State Racing Commission;

                2.    updates to any prior master plan specifically identifying capital improvements and expenditures made on or after January 1, 2018; and

                3.    an ongoing investment in capital maintenance and improvements in the horse racing facilities;

        (3)    for each year that funding is requested, spend at least the following minimum amounts for capital maintenance and improvements, which may include amounts provided as a matching fund as required under § 9–1A–29(e)(2) of this subtitle:

            (i)    for Rosecroft Raceway, $300,000; and

            (ii)    for Ocean Downs Racetrack, $300,000.

    (c)    As part of the capital maintenance and improvement items in the plan submitted under subsection (b)(2) of this section, a racing licensee shall include any improvements necessary to ensure that the condition of any part of the racetrack facility where individuals reside is satisfactory for human habitation and meets minimum housing and sanitation standards in the county where the facility is located.

    (d)    The plans required under subsection (b) of this section shall also be provided to the Department of General Services and to the Legislative Policy Committee of the General Assembly.