Sec. 1. 8 MRSA §300, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §4 and affected by Pt. B, §11, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 8 MRSA §300-A is enacted to read:

§300-A.__Harness Racing Stabilization Fund

1.__Fund created.__The Harness Racing Stabilization Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established to provide financial assistance to Maine's off-track betting facilities.

2.__Request for financial assistance.__Each off-track betting facility licensed under section 275-D and in operation as of December 31, 2003 may file a request for financial assistance with the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board established in chapter 31 and referred to in this section as "the board."__The request for financial assistance must be on forms provided by the board and must meet the criteria established by the board pursuant to subsection 3.__An off-track betting facility seeking financial assistance pursuant to this section shall provide proof of need on a quarterly basis for the first year of assistance; thereafter, proof must be provided on a annual basis.

3.__Criteria for financial assistance.__The board, by routine technical rulemaking pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A, shall establish criteria for determining financial need.__ The criteria must include proof of loss of revenue due to the presence of slot machines registered pursuant to chapter 31, subchapter 2.

4.__Distribution; timing.__Within 30 days of receipt of a request for financial assistance under subsection 2, the board shall determine whether the request meets the board's criteria under subsection 3 and, if the criteria are met, the amount to which the off-track betting facility is entitled.__If the board denies, in whole or in part, the request for financial assistance, the board shall notify the off-track betting facility of the board's decision and its reasons for the decision.__If the board grants the request, the board may establish a schedule for making payments to that off-track betting facility.__If the amount in the fund is insufficient to satisfy the amount the board determines the off-track betting facility is entitled to, the board may modify the amount to be paid to reflect the limit of the fund.