Sec. 1. 17 MRSA §311, sub-§§1-A and 7-A are enacted to read:

1-A.__Commercial beano hall permit.__"Commercial beano hall permit" means written authority from the Chief of the State Police issued to a permittee who rents or leases premises for profit to a licensee to hold, conduct or operate "beano."

7-A.__Permittee.__"Permittee" means an individual, corporation, partnership or unincorporated association that rents or leases a building or facilities for profit to a licensee to hold, conduct or operate "beano."

Sec. 2. 17 MRSA §317, first ¶, as amended by PL 1997, c. 684, §2, is further amended to read:

The Chief of the State Police has the power to adopt rules, not inconsistent with law, which that are necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter and for the licensing, conduct and operation of the amusement commonly known as "Beano" or "Bingo." and for the permitting and operation of commercial beano halls. The Chief of the State Police has the power and authority to regulate, supervise and exercise general control over the operation of such amusement and commercial beano halls, including, but not limited to, the payment of prizes and the use of equipment. Any rule adopted by the Chief of the State Police concerning the value of prizes that may be awarded must include a provision that no single prize may exceed $400 in value and that no more than $1,400 in total prizes may be awarded on any one occasion. In establishing such rules, which are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II- A, the Chief of the State Police must, in addition to the standards set forth in other provisions of this chapter, use the following standards setting forth conduct, conditions and activity considered undesirable:

Sec. 3. 17 MRSA §317-A, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 684, §3, is amended to read:

§317-A. Investigations; suspension and revocation

1. Chief of the State Police. The Chief of the State Police may:

A. Investigate all aspects of this chapter including the direct and indirect ownership or control of any licenses or commercial beano hall permits;