An Act To Protect Public Safety in the Operation of Casinos

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the operation of a casino has been approved by the voters of the State; and

Whereas,  it is in the best interest of the people of the State to have appropriate oversight of the operation of table games at the casino; and

Whereas,  the casino is opening this summer and it is important to have the funding to hire the additional public safety positions prior to the opening of the casino; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF

Gambling Control Board Z002

Initiative: Establishes one State Police Detective position, one Office Assistant II position, one Auditor II position, 6 Public Safety Inspector I positions and one Public Safety Inspector III position; funds overtime for all inspector positions; and provides funds for licensing and monitoring software to provide adequate resources for the Gambling Control Board to regulate gambling in the State in light of the addition of a 2nd casino and the addition of table games.

GENERAL FUND	2011-12	2012-13
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	10.000	10.000
Personal Services	$111,069	$769,279
All Other	$44,849	$26,952
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$155,918	$796,231

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

sUMMARY

This bill appropriates funds to establish 10 new positions in the Department of Public Safety and provides funding for licensing and monitoring software for the Gambling Control Board to regulate gambling in the State.