HP0296, LD 457, item 1, An Act To Redistribute the Agricultural Fair Support Fund

An Act To Redistribute the Agricultural Fair Support Fund

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

Whereas, agricultural fairs require funding to support and promote a successful fair season in 2015; 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. 7 MRSA §91, as amended by PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. RR, §1, is further amended to read:

§ 91. Agricultural Fair Support Fund

1. Fund created. The Treasurer of State shall establish an account to be known as "the Agricultural Fair Support Fund" and shall credit to it all money received under Title 8, section 1036, subsection 2, paragraph D and Title 8, section 1036, subsection 2-A, paragraph G. The fund is a dedicated, nonlapsing fund. All revenues deposited in the fund must be disbursed in accordance with this section, except that assessments and advances may be withdrawn in accordance with Title 8, section 267-A.

2. Disbursement from a casino operated by a commercial track. No later than January 31st of each year, all funds received under Title 8, section 1036, subsection 2, paragraph D held as of the end of the previous calendar year in the Agricultural Fair Support Fund must be distributed by the Treasurer of State as follows:

A. Thirty-four percent of these funds must be distributed to all commercial tracks as defined in Title 8, section 275-A and to all fair licensees that during the previous year were licensed to and did accept pari-mutuel wagers on harness horse races. These funds must be distributed in the manner prescribed in Title 8, section 298; and

B. Sixty-six percent of these funds must be divided in the following manner. The commissioner may expend annually up to 13% of the funds available under this paragraph for administrative and inspection services provided under this chapter and the remaining funds must be distributed among all fair licensees that were licensed during the previous year. These funds must be distributed to licensees according to the proportions established by section 86, subsection 5 and may be used at the licensee's discretion. To receive distribution under this paragraph, a licensee holding pari-mutuel racing in the previous year must have been in compliance with section 89.

3. Disbursement from a casino licensed after January 1, 2010. No later than January 31st of each year, unless otherwise provided by this paragraph, all funds received under Title 8, section 1036, subsection 2-A, paragraph G held as of the end of the previous calendar year in the Agricultural Fair Support Fund must be distributed by the commissioner to all fair licensees that during the previous year were licensed to and did accept pari-mutuel wagers on harness horse races. Distributions must be according to the proportions established by section 86, subsection 5 and may be used at the licensee's discretion. To receive distribution under this subsection, a licensee holding pari-mutuel racing in the previous year must have been in compliance with section 89. The commissioner may expend annually up to 13% of the funds available under this subsection for administrative and inspection services provided under this chapter.

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

SUMMARY

Current law divides slot machine revenue credited to the Agricultural Fair Support Fund between commercial harness racing tracks and agricultural fairs licensed to accept wagers on harness racing. This bill requires that slot machine revenue from the casino located in Oxford County and credited to the fund be distributed only to agricultural fairs licensed to accept wagers on harness racing and not to commercial tracks.

HP0296 LD 457	Session - 127th Maine Legislature		LR 392 Item 1
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