Code of Maine Rules › 01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY › 017 - MAINE STATE HARNESS RACING COMMISSION › Chapter 1 - ADMINISTRATION › Section 017-1-10 - Licensing Participants

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. No one shall
				participate in any harness horse racing activity without first making
				application to and receiving from the Commission a license to so act. Licenses
				must be current and are issued on a calendar year basis. Fees for licenses
				shall be paid prior to issuance as set forth in the license fee
				schedule.
1-A.
Grounds for
				Suspension, Revocation, Refusal or Denial of a License
The Commission may suspend, revoke, refuse to issue or deny
				  any or all of a person's licenses upon a finding that any of the following
				  grounds exist:
1. Pursuant to 5 MRS
				Chapter 341, when a person has been convicted or otherwise judged guilty of a
				crime in Maine or in another jurisdiction;
2. When a person has displayed conduct
				demonstrating dishonest behavior, fraud or theft;
3. A person has displayed conduct found by
				the Commission to undermine the integrity of harness racing in Maine by
				negatively impacting:
A. the confidence of the
				wagering public;
B. the validity of
				pari-mutuel pools;
C. the health
				and welfare of spectators and/or participating owners, trainers, drivers,
				grooms and others involved in harness racing;
D. the health and welfare of race
				horses.
4. There is
				evidence of financial irresponsibility on the part of a licensee or applicant,
				in the form of a court ruling detailing unpaid or default obligations; the
				licensee or applicant has unpaid fines, fees or purse returns overdue to the
				Commission or a licensed association; or the Commission has evidence that the
				applicant has issued drafts or checks that are dishonored or refused
				payment;
5. A person's license is
				currently refused, denied, suspended or revoked in another jurisdiction,
				provided the basis for such action is consistent with Maine law. The Commission
				may also consider good cause shown by the licensee or applicant;
6. A person is unqualified to perform the
				duties required;
7. A person has
				been suspended within the last year from Maine or another jurisdiction,
				provided the basis for such action is consistent with Maine law, or is
				currently excluded, or has been excluded, from any association
				grounds;
8. A person whose conduct,
				reputation, experience or character may adversely reflect on the honesty and
				integrity of horse racing or interfere with the orderly conduct of a race
				meeting;
9. A person has violated
				any Commission rule or statute;
10.
				A person fails or refuses to provide a statement to a state official or the
				Commission when asked to provide one in an ongoing investigation.
11. A person has engaged in bookmaking,
				touting, or other forms of illegal gambling, or has been a partner of or agent
				for bookmakers, illegal gamblers, racketeers, or known criminals;
12. A person fails to disclose relevant
				information or makes a false or misleading statement in or in connection with
				any application, investigation, or any proceeding before the
				Commission;
13. A person fails to
				timely furnish information requested to supplement such application or during
				the course of a complaint investigation.
14. A person who has either admitted to race
				fixing in a sworn statement or been found guilty of race fixing in final
				adjudication or by consent agreement;
15. A person who has information concerning
				the solicitations or acceptance of a bribe and fails to report the same to the
				Presiding Judge at the race meeting; or
16. A person has been found in violation of
				animal welfare laws contained in 17 M.R.S. Chapter 42 or
				7
				M.R.S.§4011, or witnesses animal cruelty
				as defined by those laws or death of a horse, on association grounds, and does
				not report it to state officials.
17. A person continues to act in a capacity
				requiring a license under the Commission after expiration, suspension, or
				revocation of that license, or;
18.
				A person fails to produce any requested documents in the licensee's possession
				or under the licensee's control concerning a pending complaint proceeding, or
				any matter under investigation.