Resolve, To Study the Sustainability of the Harness Racing Industry
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0408
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: CRAY, BLACK, CEBRA, GIFFORD

Legislative Document 
No. 408 
H.P. 326 
House of Representatives, February 8, 2011 
Resolve, To Study the Sustainability of the Harness Racing Industry 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative CRAY of Palmyra. 
Cosponsored by Representatives: BLACK of Wilton, CEBRA of Naples, GIFFORD of 
Lincoln, McFADDEN of Dennysville. 
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 Sustainability of the Harness Racing 
Industry is established to review the financial viability of the harness racing industry in 
the State including fairs with harness racing, commercial tracks, off-track betting 
facilities, the horse breeders program and racing in general and their relationship to the 
distribution of the traditional harness racing handle; 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 Sustainability of the Harness Racing Industry, 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.  Two members appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural 
Resources, one recommended by each of the commercial harness racing tracks; 
4.  Two members recommended by off-track betting facilities and appointed by the 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources; 
5.  Two members recommended by an association of horsemen and 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 agricultural 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 of 
the Senate is the Senate chair of the commission and the House of Representatives 
member appointed by the Speaker of the House is the House chair of the commission; 
and be it further 
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.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission.  If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority 
for the commission to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall study the distribution of the 
traditional harness racing handle and its impact on the financial viability of all facets of 
harness racing to include fairs with harness racing, commercial tracks, off-track betting 
facilities, the horse breeders program and the training and racing of standardbred horses; 
and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Department of Agriculture, Food 
and Rural Resources shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be 
it further 
Sec. 7.  Compensation.  Resolved:  That the legislative members of the 
commission only 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. 
Sec. 8.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 7, 2011, 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 committee is authorized to introduce legislation related 
to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature; and be it further 
Sec. 9.  Outside funding.  Resolved:  That the commission shall seek funding 
contributions to fully fund the costs of the study.  All funding is subject to approval by 
the Legislative Council in accordance with its policies.  If sufficient contributions to fund 
the study have not been received within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve, no 
meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission To Study the Sustainability of the Harness 
Racing Industry with members from the Legislature and harness racing interests to study 
the distribution of the traditional harness racing handle and its impact on the financial 
viability of all aspects of the harness racing industry.