(1) Supervision of all staff involved in harness racing and, off-track betting and slot machine functions;

(2) Management of the collection and distribution of revenues under this chapter;

(3) Budget development and management;

(4) Policy development with regard to harness racing and, off-track betting and slot machines;

(5) Management of participant licensing;

(6) Enforcement of harness racing and, off-track betting and slot machine statutes and rules;

(7) Investigation of harness racing and, off-track betting and slot machine violations;

(8) Facilitating the development of positive working relationships in the harness racing industry and State Government; and

(9) Making reports to the Governor and Legislature and recommendations to the commissioner regarding harness racing and, off-track betting and slot machine operations and the need for changes in statutes and rules.

Sec. 3. 8 MRSA §271, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2001, c. 567, §3, is further amended to read:

1. Licensing. If the commission is satisfied that all of this chapter and rules prescribed by the commission have been substantially complied with during the past year and will be fully complied with during the coming year by the person, association or corporation applying for a license; that the applicant, its members, directors, officers, shareholders, employees, creditors and associates are of good moral character; that the applicant is financially responsible; and that the award of racing dates to the applicant is appropriate under the criteria contained in subsection 2, it may issue a license for the holding of harness horse races or meets for public exhibition with pari-mutuel pools, which must expire on December 31st. The