CHAPTER 527
H.P. 1314 - L.D. 1865
An Act to Implement the Recommendation of the Harness Racing Task Force Requiring an Executive Director of the State Harness Racing Commission
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Harness Racing Task Force, established by Executive Order No. 6 95/96, has recommended that the position of full-time chair of the State Harness Racing Commission be replaced with an executive director position; and
Whereas, the position of full-time chair has been vacant since July 1995; and
Whereas, the Harness Racing Task Force has determined that the leadership needs of the State Harness Racing Commission must be met immediately in order for issues confronting the harness racing industry to be addressed effectively; 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. 8 MRSA §261-A, sub-§6, as amended by PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. RR, §2, is further amended to read:
6. Chair. The Governor shall appoint one of the 5 commission members who has no industry affiliation as chair. Beginning July 1, 1992, this position is a full-time, unclassified position and is entitled to an annual salary as determined by the Governor within salary range 28. The chair serves at the pleasure of the Governor.
Sec. 2. 8 MRSA §263-A is enacted to read:
The chief operating officer of the State Harness Racing Commission is the executive director.
1. Position. The executive director is an unclassified position within the department.
2. Appointment. The executive director is appointed by the commissioner in consultation with the commission. The executive director serves at the pleasure of the commissioner.
3. Qualifications. The executive director must have knowledge of harness racing and a proven record of leadership.
4. Duties. The executive director has the following duties:
A. Management of the work of the commission, including:
(1) Rulemaking;
(2) Processing appeals;
(3) Licensing of tracks and off-track betting facilities; and
(4) Setting race dates; and
B. Management of the work of the department regarding harness racing and off-track betting, including:
(1) Supervision of all staff involved in harness racing and off-track betting functions;
(2) Management of the collection and distribution of revenues under this chapter;
(3) Budget development and management;
(4) Policy development with regard to harness racing and off-track betting;
(5) Management of participant licensing;
(6) Enforcement of harness racing and off-track betting statutes and rules;
(7) Investigation of harness racing and off-track betting violations;
(8) Facilitating the development of positive working relationships in the harness racing industry and State Government; and
(9) Making reports to the Governor and Legislature and recommendations to the commissioner regarding harness racing and off-track betting operations and the need for changes in statutes and rules.
Sec. 3. 8 MRSA §265, as amended by PL 1991, c. 579, §7, is further amended to read:
Except as provided for the chair in section 261-A, subsection 5, members Members of the commission are entitled to be compensated as provided in Title 5, chapter 379.
Sec. 4. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
1997-98 1998-99
AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF
State Harness Racing Commission
Personal Services $27,466 $26,475
Appropriates funds for the net costs of replacing the full-time chair of the commission with an executive director position.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective June 12, 1997.
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