Resolve, To Study the Promotion, Expansion and Regulation of the Harness Racing Industry
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1073
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: MAREAN, GIFFORD, LUNDEEN, PIOTTI, PRATT, SYKES, RAYE, SHERMAN

Legislative Document 
No. 1073 
H.P.791 
House of Representatives, March 6, 2007 
Resolve, To Study the Promotion, Expansion and Regulation of the 
Harness Racing Industry 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative MAREAN of Hollis. 
Cosponsored by Senator SA V AGE of Knox and 
Jrj~ 
/J7. 77lt1£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: CRA Y of Palmyra, GIFFORD of Lincoln, LUNDEEN of Mars Hill, PIOTTI 
of Unity, PRATT of Eddington, SYKES of Harrison, Senators: RAYE of Washington, 
SHERMAN of Aroostook. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the Commission To Study the Recruitment, Training, Compensation and 
Oversight of Racing Officials is established to review the racing industry in Maine; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next 
legislative session; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission To Study 
the Recruitment, Training, Compensation and Oversight of Racing Officials, referred to 
in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows: 
1. Two members of the Senate, one member of the party holding the highest number 
of seats appointed by the President of the Senate and one member of the party holding the 
2nd highest number of seats appointed by the Senate Minority Leader. At least one 
Senate member must be serving on the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry; 
2. Two members of the House of Representatives, one member of the party holding 
the highest number of seats appointed by the Speaker of the House and one member of 
the party holding the 2nd highest number of seats appointed by the House Minority 
Leader. At least one House member must be serving on the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; 
3. The chair of the Maine harness racing promotion board; 
4. The Chair ofthe State Harness Racing Commission or the chair's designee; 
5. Two members recommended by an association of horsemen appointed by the 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources; and 
6. One member who is a racing director for an agricultural fair recommended by a 
statewide fair association and appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and 
Rural Resources; and be it further 
Sec. 3. 
Chairs. Resolved: That the Senate member named by the President is 
the Senate chair of the commission and the House of Representatives member named by 
the Speaker is the House chair of the commission; and be it further 
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Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: 
That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission, 
which must be no later than 60 days following the effective date of this resolve; and be it 
further 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study the best way to 
expand racing opportunities for Maine horsemen and Maine-owned horses, including an 
orderly expansion of race dates and venues and how to better fund the State Harness 
Racing Commission in a way that serves the racing industry and the public. 
The 
commission shall review rules and regulations and issues such as drug testing to ensure 
the integrity of the sport. In addition, the commission shall explore ways to promote 
public interest and participation in harness racing for followers of the sport and horse 
owners; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7. 
Compensation. 
Resolved: 
That the legislative members of the 
commission are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary 
expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission. Public 
members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they 
represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and, upon a 
demonstration of financial hardship, a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their 
attendance at authorized meetings of the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 5, 2007, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry. The commission is authorized to introduce legislation related 
to its report to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature at the time of 
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submission of its report; and be it further 
Sec. 9. 
Extension. 
Resolved: 
That, if the commISSIon requires a limited 
extension of time to complete its study and make its report, it may apply to the 
Legislative Council, which may grant an extension; and be it further 
Sec. 10. 
Commission budget. Resolved: 
That the commission shall seek 
outside funds to fully fund all costs of the commission. If sufficient outside funding has 
not been received by the commission by September IS, 2007 to fully fund all costs of the 
commission, no meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or 
reimbursed. Contributions to support the work of the commission may not be accepted 
from any party having a pecuniary or other vested interest in the outcome of the matters 
being studied. Any person, other than a state agency, desiring to make a financial or in-
kind contribution must certify to the Legislative Council that it has no pecuniary or other 
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vested interest in the outcome of the study. The certification must be made in the manner 
prescribed by the Legislative Council. All contributions are subject to approval by the 
Legislative Council. All funds accepted must be forwarded to the Executive Director of 
the Legislative Council along with an accounting record that includes the amount of the 
funds, the date the funds were received, from whom the funds were received and the 
purpose of and any limitation on the use of the funds. The Executive Director of the 
Legislative Council shall administer any funds received by the commission. 
The 
executive director shall notify the chairs of the commission when sufficient funding has 
been received. Within IO days after its first meeting, the commission shall present a 
work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. 
The 
commission may not incur expenses that would result in the commission's exceeding its 
approved budget. 
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Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited m the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission To Study the Recruitment, Training, 
Compensation and Oversight of Racing Officials to study ways to improve the harness 
racing industry in Maine. The commission is to study the best way to expand racing 
opportunities for Maine horsemen and Maine-owned horses, including an orderly 
expansion of race dates and venues and how to better fund the State Harness Racing 
Commission in a way that serves the horse racing industry and the public. 
The 
commission will review rules and regulations and issues such as drug testing to ensure the 
integrity of the sport. In addition, the commission is directed to explore ways to promote 
public interest and participation in harness racing. 
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