Bill
Bill > LD1188
ME LD1188
ME LD1188An Act to Amend the Law Governing Facilities Approved by the State Harness Racing Commission to Sell Pari-mutuel Pools and Common Pari-mutuel Pools for Simulcast Racing
summary
Introduced
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
06/04/2025
06/04/2025
Passed
06/09/2025
06/09/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/12/2025
06/12/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
An Act to Amend the Law Governing Facilities Approved by the State Harness Racing Commission to Sell Pari-mutuel Pools and Common Pari- mutuel Pools for Simulcast Racing Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, Maine harness racing is an important historic sport; and Whereas, attracting new fans to Maine harness racing is critical to the future well- being of the industry and agriculture; and Whereas, the 2025 racing season commenced in April and this legislation must take effect as early in the 2025 racing season as possible; 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,
AI Summary
This bill amends the law governing harness racing facilities in Maine by making several key changes. First, it repeals a specific paragraph in the existing law related to racing facilities. Then, it introduces a new provision allowing the State Harness Racing Commission to authorize a facility to continue operating in its current location even if the commercial track moves to a different county, with specific conditions: the new track location must be in a contiguous county, not in the same county as a casino, and not in the same or adjacent municipality as an existing off-track betting facility. The bill also includes a provisional approval mechanism that allows the Commission to provisionally approve a facility that has applied to a municipality for selling pari-mutuel pools, with this provisional approval valid only through December 31, 2025, or until the municipality makes a decision. The bill is designed to support Maine's harness racing industry, which is described in the preamble as an important historic sport, and is being enacted as an emergency measure to take effect immediately for the 2025 racing season. The legislation aims to provide flexibility for racing facilities while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (7)
Mark Cooper (R)*,
Russell Black (R),
Dean Cray (R),
Sharon Frost (I),
Timmy Guerrette (R),
Randy Hall (R),
Chad Perkins (R),
Last Action
Governor's Action: Emergency Signed, Jun 12, 2025 (on 06/12/2025)
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1188&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0793&item=3&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN118803.pdf |
| House: C-A (H-413) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0793&item=2&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: C-A (H-413) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN118802.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0793&item=1&snum=132 |
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