Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §81, sub-§3-A is enacted to read:
Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §81, sub-§14, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 563, §3, is repealed.
Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §96, sub-§§3, 4 and 7, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 563, §3, are amended to read:
Sec. 4. 7 MRSA §96, sub-§8, as amended by PL 2011, c. 73, §1, is further amended to read:
Sec. 5. 7 MRSA §96, sub-§10, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 563, §3, is amended to read:
Sec. 6. 7 MRSA §96, sub-§12, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 563, §3, is amended to read:
C. Only a licensed veterinarian or a trainer an owner acting under the direction of a licensed veterinarian may administer medication. The trainer owner may administer medication under the direction of a licensed veterinarian if the licensed veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal, has sufficient knowledge of the animal to make a general or preliminary diagnosis of the animal and is readily available to care for the animal in the event of an adverse reaction to medication or the failure of a trainer the owner to adhere to a therapy regimen.
Sec. 7. 7 MRSA §97, sub-§4, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 563, §3, is amended to read:
A. All teamsters drivers who are to compete in contests must have their teams ready at the published starting time. All classes must be closed after the positions are drawn. Classes must start as nearly as possible to the published time.
Sec. 8. 7 MRSA §97, sub-§4, ¶¶I, L and N, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 563, §3, are amended to read:
I. Any number of helpers is allowed to help hitch. After hitch-on, there may be no more than 2 helpers. The helpers shall stay behind the drag unless needed to help the teamster driver. The helpers may not have a stick. This paragraph applies to distance pulls only.
L. Heading of horses or oxen is not allowed. One inch pulled constitutes a hitch. Stepping over the rail counts as a hitch and 5 minutes are allowed for hitching. Three attempts may be made within that period. Time taken out to position the drag for the next pull may not be counted. Teamsters Drivers may not be changed after the first load is pulled. A team deliberately driven over the rail is disqualified from the contest. In case of a tie on the longest distance, the 2nd-longest distances already pulled will take first place. Persons acting as eveners shall remain quiet after hitching on. This paragraph does not apply to distance pulls.
N. A substantial barrier must be maintained at the end of the ring toward which the pull is proceeding to prevent or substantially impede runaways. A teamster driver losing control of the team is disqualified immediately.
Sec. 9. 7 MRSA §97, sub-§4, ¶R is enacted to read:
R. An animal must have an ear tag or microchip implant for identification purposes. The pull superintendent or the assistant pull superintendent shall verify the animal's identification at the time of weigh-in and at the time of entry.
Sec. 10. 7 MRSA §100, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 563, §3, is amended to read:
1. Adds a definition of "driver" to the laws governing agricultural fairs and pulling events and replaces the term "teamster" with "driver" in those laws;
2. Allows a pull superintendent to visually examine an animal in an event and to request a veterinarian to undertake a more thorough examination when appropriate;
3. Provides that the driver is responsible, along with the owner, for an animal's condition, including whether it is has been administered a prohibited substance; and
4. Increases the penalties for a driver or owner found to be in violation of the laws governing prohibited substances in an animal competing in a pulling event from a full 2-year suspension in the bill to 2 years for a first offense, 3 years for a 2nd offense and 5 years for 3rd and subsequent offenses.