Sec. 15. 8 MRSA §279-D is enacted to read:

§279-D.__Insurance

Beginning January 1, 2004, applicants for an owner's license must provide proof of liability insurance on horses owned by the applicant in an amount not less than $300,000.__Copies of that liability insurance coverage must accompany the application for an owner's license.

Sec. 16. 8 MRSA §283, as amended by PL 1999, c. 482, §5, is further amended to read:

§283. Reciprocal disciplinary action

The department shall act to obtain current listings from other states racing jurisdictions of persons in harness racing occupations regulated by the state racing jurisdiction who have been refused a license or who have had their license revoked or suspended. The commission shall refuse to license or shall suspend the license of these persons until notification that they are again eligible for licensing in the state racing jurisdiction or states racing jurisdictions in question.

Sec. 17. 8 MRSA §285, sub-§2, śC, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 528, §46 and affected by §47, is amended to read:

C. Notwithstanding paragraphs A and B:

(1) All meetings and records of the board are subject to the provisions of Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter I 1;

(2) For the purposes of the Maine Tort Claims Act, the board is a governmental entity and its employees are employees as those terms are defined in Title 14, section 8102.__The board and its employees are considered a state agency for purposes of Title 5, section 191;

(3) Funds received by the board pursuant to this chapter must be allocated to the board by the