An Act To Redistribute the Agricultural Fair Support Fund
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0457
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: SAUCIER, BREEN, CHIPMAN, LONGSTAFF, LUCHINI, MARTIN, SCHNECK, WHITE
Amends: 7 MRSA §91

Legislative Document 
No. 457 
H.P. 296 
House of Representatives, February 24, 2015 
An Act To Redistribute the Agricultural Fair Support Fund 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative SAUCIER of Presque Isle. 
Cosponsored by Senator BREEN of Cumberland and 
Representatives: CHIPMAN of Portland, LONGSTAFF of Waterville, LUCHINI of Ellsworth, 
MARTIN of Sinclair, McCABE of Skowhegan, SCHNECK of Bangor, WHITE of Washburn. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, agricultural fairs require funding to support and promote a successful fair 
season in 2015; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §91, as amended by PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. RR, §1, is further 
amended to read: 
§91.  Agricultural Fair Support Fund 
1.  Fund created.  The Treasurer of State shall establish an account to be known as 
"the Agricultural Fair Support Fund" and shall credit to it all money received under Title 
8, section 1036, subsection 2, paragraph D and Title 8, section 1036, subsection 2-A, 
paragraph G.  The fund is a dedicated, nonlapsing fund. All revenues deposited in the 
fund must be disbursed in accordance with this section, except that assessments and 
advances may be withdrawn in accordance with Title 8, section 267-A. 
2.  Disbursement from a casino operated by a commercial track.  No later than 
January 31st of each year, all funds received under Title 8, section 1036, subsection 2, 
paragraph D held as of the end of the previous calendar year in the Agricultural Fair 
Support Fund must be distributed by the Treasurer of State as follows: 
A.  Thirty-four percent of these funds must be distributed to all commercial tracks as 
defined in Title 8, section 275-A and to all fair licensees that during the previous year 
were licensed to and did accept pari-mutuel wagers on harness horse races. These 
funds must be distributed in the manner prescribed in Title 8, section 298; and 
B.  Sixty-six percent of these funds must be divided in the following manner.  The 
commissioner may expend annually up to 13% of the funds available under this 
paragraph for administrative and inspection services provided under this chapter and 
the remaining funds must be distributed among all fair licensees that were licensed 
during the previous year. These funds must be distributed to licensees according to 
the proportions established by section 86, subsection 5 and may be used at the 
licensee's discretion.  To receive distribution under this paragraph, a licensee holding 
pari-mutuel racing in the previous year must have been in compliance with section 
89. 
3.  Disbursement from a casino licensed after January 1, 2010.  No later than 
January 31st of each year, unless otherwise provided by this paragraph, all funds received 
under Title 8, section 1036, subsection 2-A, paragraph G held as of the end of the 
previous calendar year in the Agricultural Fair Support Fund must be distributed by the 
commissioner to all fair licensees that during the previous year were licensed to and did 
accept pari-mutuel wagers on harness horse races.  Distributions must be according to the 
proportions established by section 86, subsection 5 and may be used at the licensee's 
discretion.  To receive distribution under this subsection, a licensee holding pari-mutuel 
racing in the previous year must have been in compliance with section 89.  The 
commissioner may expend annually up to 13% of the funds available under this 
subsection for administrative and inspection services provided under this chapter. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
Current law divides slot machine revenue credited to the Agricultural Fair Support 
Fund between commercial harness racing tracks and agricultural fairs licensed to accept 
wagers on harness racing.  This bill requires that slot machine revenue from the casino 
located in Oxford County and credited to the fund be distributed only to agricultural fairs 
licensed to accept wagers on harness racing and not to commercial tracks.