An Act To Extend the Temporary Reduction in High-stakes Beano License Fees

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this legislation reduces the annual license fee for high-stakes beano for this year and next year; 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,

Sec. 1. 17 MRSA §314-A, sub-§4,  as amended by PL 2007, c. 109, §1, is further amended to read:

Sec. 2. Report. By February 1, 2011, the Chief of the State Police, with input from holders of licenses issued pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17, section 314A, shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over legal and veterans affairs on the enforcement and administrative functions conducted with regard to the conduct of high-stakes beano during calendar year 2010, including any recommendations regarding the fees for a high-stakes beano license.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

Current law provides that the annual license fee for a high-stakes beano license is $50,000, except that the fee due in 2008 and 2009 was $25,000. This bill extends the reduction in license fees to 2010 and 2011, and requires that the Chief of the State Police, with input from those federally recognized Indian tribes issued licenses for high-stakes beano, submit a report by February 1, 2011 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over legal and veterans affairs regarding enforcement and administrative functions conducted with regard to high-stakes beano, including recommendations regarding fees for high-stakes beano licenses.