Sec. 1. 8 MRSA §261-A, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1997, c. 528, §4, is further amended to read:

4. Term of office. Members of the commission serve 3-year terms. For appointments that expire in 2003, the Governor shall appoint one commissioner for a term of one year, 2 commissioners for a term of 2 years and 2 commissioners for a term of 3 years. Any vacancy is filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term of that member. Members whose terms expire serve until their successors are qualified and appointed.

Sec. 2. 8 MRSA §261-A, sub-§6, as amended by PL 1997, c. 527, §1 and c. 528, §5, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

6.__Chair.__The commissioners shall select one of the members of the commission to be chair of the commission for the ensuing year.

Sec. 3. 8 MRSA §285, sub-§3, as repealed and replaced by PL 1997, c. 735, §7, is amended to read:

3. Membership. The board consists of 9 members and 2 alternates appointed by the commissioner. Full, voting board members must be appointed by the commissioner as follows:

A. Two persons representing commercial tracks: one representing and recommended by each of the 2 commercial harness racing tracks in the State;

B. One person recommended by an association in the State representing harness horsemen;

C. Two persons recommended by an association in the State representing Standardbred breeders and owners;

D. One person nominated by the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs;

E. One person who represents the interests of off-track betting facilities; and

F. Two persons who are members of the general public with an interest in harness racing.

Alternates must be members of the general public with an interest in harness racing. An alternate may cast a vote as a member of the board upon the absence of a full, voting member.