An Act to Modernize
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0793
Committee Amendment CA_A_S376 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" ft->
to S.P. 358, L.D. 793, "An Act to Modernize 
Gaming Revenue Allocations and Increase Effo11s to Prevent Gambling Addiction,, 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, to Establish the Working Group to Review and Update the Laws Governing 
Harness Racing' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inse11ing the following: 
'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 effective date for acts and resolves of the Legislature is likely to be in 
early October; and 
Whereas, the report required by this legislation must be submitted by December 3, 
2025;and 
Whereas, the working group established by this legislation needs sufficient time in 
which to complete its work; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts c1·eate an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessa1y for the prese1vation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec, 1. Working group established. Resolved: That the Working Group to 
Review and Update the Laws Governing Harness Racing, referred to in this resolve as "the 
working group," is established. 
Sec, 2, Working group membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint 
Rule 353, the working group consists of 12 members appointed as follows: 
Page I • 132LR1395(02) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" Pr' to S.P. 358, L.D. 793 C)..., 3 '1"\ 
1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
member from each of the 2 pa1ties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature, 
one of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Veternns and Legal Affairs; 
2. Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including at least one member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest numbel' 
of seats in the Legislature, one of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; 
3. One member of the State Harness Racing Commission, appointed by the President 
of the Senate; 
4. One member representing a statewide association of horse owners, trainers and 
drivers, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
5. One member representing a statewide organization of Standardbred breeders, 
appointed by the President of the Senate; 
6. One member representing licensed commel'cial tracks, appointed by the President 
of the Senate; 
7. One member representing licensed off-track betting facilities, appointed by the 
Speaker of the House; 
8. One member representing agricultural fairs that conduct pari-mutuel wagering, 
appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
9. One member who is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, appointed by the 
Speaker of the House; and 
10. One member of the public with experience in hospitality, tourism or adve1tising, 
appointed by the Speake1· of the House. 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Senate 
member who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs is the 
Senate chair and the House of Representatives member who serves on the Joint Standing 
Committee on Agl'iculture, Conservation and Forestly is the House chair of the working 
group. 
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of working group. 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 working group. lf30 days or more 
afte1· 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 authol'ity for 
the working group to meet and conduct its business. 
Sec. 5, Duties, Resolved: That the working group shall review the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 8, chapter 11 and prepare a paitial or complete revision of that chapter and 
any other sections of law reasonably related to hamess racing in the State as may be 
necessary to modemize and sustain the sport of harness racing and to provide suppmt for 
gambling addiction. The working group shall evaluate, but is not limited to evaluating, the 
following: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
f!...OS 
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COMMITfEE AMENDMENT" {J," to S.P. 358, L.D. 793 e $,-' 7 6f 
1. The availability of suitable facilities to conduct harness racing and how to encourage 
development or preservation of those facilities; 
2. Strategies to create a predictable annual schedule of races while maintaining the 
quality of racing and promoting the health and safety of animal and human participants in 
the sport; 
3. Streamlining rules governing the licensing process and 1·educing complexity of those 
rules; 
4. The economic impact of the spo11 and the allocation of existing resources; and 
5. Successful models for the promotion or sustainment of racing as may exist in other 
jurisdictions. 
Sec, 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the working group, except 
that Legislative Council staff support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular 
or special session. 
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 3, 2025, the working 
group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including 
suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs and 
the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Joint 
Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may each report out legislation related to the report 
to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. 
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section 
number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill, which is a concept draft, with a resolve. The 
amendment establishes a working group to review the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 8, 
chapter 11, which governs harness racing, and prepare a pat1ial or complete revision of that 
chapter and any other sections of law reasonably related to harness racing in the State as 
may be necessary to modemize and sustain the sport of harness racing and to provide 
support for gambling addiction. The working grnup is requil'ed to submit a rep01t, including 
its findings and recommendations, and any suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, both of which are authorized to 1·ep01t out 
legislation related to the rep01t to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. 
The amendment includes an emergency preamble and emergency clause. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 06/01 /25 l-Rl-
LD793 
LR 1395(02) 
An Act to Modemize Gaming Revenue Allocations ancl Increase Efforts to Prevent Gambling 
Adclictiou 
Fisca,l Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "f(,--17t:\ 
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs 
. 
Fiscal Note Required: Y cs 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Legislative Cost/Study 
The general operating expenses of this study are projected to be $3,050 in fiscal year 2025-26. The Legislature's 
proposed budget for the 2026-2027 biennium includes $22,196 in each of fiscl;\l years 2025-26 and 2026-27 for t1 
costs of legislative studies, as well as $8,265 in projected balances from fiscal year 2024~25 and $33,073 of balai .. ., 
canied over from prior years for this .purpose. Whether these amounts are sufficient to fond all studies will depend on 
the number of studies authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. The additional costs of providing 
staffing assistance to the study during the interim can be absorbed utilizing existing budgeted staff resources. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any addltional costs to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry from the provisions of this bill are 
expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR 1395(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I