Sec. 4. 8 MRSA §285, sub-§3-A is enacted to read:

3-A.__Terms.__Members serve 3-year terms.__For appointments that expire in 2001, the commissioner shall appoint 3 members for a term of one year, 3 members for a term of 2 years and 3 members 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.

SUMMARY

This bill staggers the terms of the members of the State Harness Racing Commission and the Harness Racing Promotional Board. It also allows the commission to elect one of its members to serve as chair rather than having the Governor appoint a member.