2012 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 8: AMUSEMENTS AND SPORTS
Chapter 11: HARNESS RACING
8 §279-A. Licenses, rules and regulations for participating in racing

§279-A. Licenses, rules and regulations for participating in racing

For the purpose of enabling the commission to exercise and maintain a proper control over racing conducted under this chapter, the commission may adopt rules for the licensing, with or without fee in the discretion of the commission, of owners, trainers, drivers, grooms and all other persons participating in harness horse racing, including pari-mutuel employees and race officials. The commission may issue conditional licenses to owners, trainers, drivers, grooms and all other persons participating in harness racing, including pari-mutuel employees and race officials if one or more criteria are not met as contained in the commission rules. A person issued a license as a trainer shall submit a horse for testing in accordance with section 279-E. [2007, c. 611, §6 (AMD).]

The commission, in consultation with the department, shall set licensing and license renewal fees sufficient to carry out the administration and enforcement of the licensing program. These fees may not exceed $100 annually. The department shall provide a booklet containing harness racing laws and rules and relevant portions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act to every initial licensee and a fee not to exceed $10 must be included in the license fee to cover the cost of this publication. The department shall provide necessary revisions of this booklet to those persons renewing licenses at the time of renewal and shall include the cost not to exceed $10 in the renewal fee. [1997, c. 528, §40 (AMD).]

The commission may adopt rules for the conduct on the race track and grounds of owners, trainers, drivers, grooms and all other persons participating in harness horse racing. The rules must be reasonably necessary for any one or more of the following purposes: to protect the wagering public, to protect the State's share of pari-mutuel pools, to protect the health and welfare of spectators and participating owners, trainers, drivers, grooms and all other persons participating in harness horse racing, including pari-mutuel employees and race officials and to protect the health and welfare of standard-bred horses. [1991, c. 579, §13 (AMD).]

Notwithstanding section 280, the department may adopt a controlled medication program that permits controlled medication to be administered to racehorses. [1997, c. 528, §40 (AMD).]

The District Court Judge may revoke or suspend any license for violations of this chapter or the rules. [1991, c. 579, §13 (AMD); 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §78 (AMD); 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §80 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

1967, c. 212, (NEW). 1973, c. 303, §3 (AMD). 1975, c. 35, (RPR). 1991, c. 579, §13 (AMD). 1991, c. 677, §1 (AMD). 1997, c. 528, §40 (AMD). 1999, c. 482, §3 (AMD). 1999, c. 547, §B78 (AMD). 1999, c. 547, §B80 (AFF). 2007, c. 611, §6 (AMD).