Sec. 5. 8 MRSA §271, sub-§7, as reallocated by RR 1997, c. 1, §5, is amended to read:

7. Hearing on horse supply. Prior to August of each year, the commission shall conduct a hearing to determine whether the horse supply in the State has been adequate for the number of dashes conducted on assigned race dates. If the commission concludes that the horse supply has been inadequate, the commission shall limit to the extent necessary the number of dashes that a licensee may race on any date after August 1st Labor Day of that year that has been assigned to more than one track. The commission may not restrict the number of dashes to fewer than 10.

Sec. 6. 8 MRSA §271, sub-§8, reallocated by RR 1997, c. 1, §6, is amended to read:

8. Term of license and race date assignment. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, each license to conduct live racing or to engage in simulcast wagering, including by operating an off-track betting facility as defined in section 275-A and all awards of race dates issued or made by the commission, beginning with licenses issued and race dates awarded for 1998, may be for a 2-year period; except, that if a commercial track does not use during the first year of any such 2-year license a race date that it was entitled to receive for both years pursuant to section 275-N, then the commission may hold a hearing prior to the 2nd year or the term of that racing license to determine whether the award of that race date for the second year of the term should be revoked.

Sec. 7. 8 MRSA §271, sub-§9, as reallocated by RR 1997, c. 1, §7, is repealed.

SUMMARY

The bill deregulates the race date assignment process, allowing all tracks, including fairs, to conduct live racing on whatever day they choose.