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An Act To Amend the Laws Concerning Reciprocal Disciplinary Actions in Harness Racing and Pulling Events
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 harness racing season begins in late March and the fair season takes place beginning in the summer months and will likely commence before 90 days after adjournment; and
Whereas,  the provisions of this bill are important to protect the integrity of the harness racing and pulling events in the State; 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,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §102  is enacted to read:
§ 102. Reciprocal disciplinary action
The department shall obtain current listings from other jurisdictions of persons who have been suspended or barred from pulling competitions. The department shall refuse to allow any person who has been suspended or barred from pulling competitions in another jurisdiction to compete in any pulling competition until the department receives notification from the jurisdiction that has suspended or barred the person from pulling competitions that the person is again eligible to compete in pulling competitions in that jurisdiction.
Sec. 2. 8 MRSA §283, as amended by PL 2003, c. 401, §16, is further amended to read:
§ 283.Reciprocal disciplinary action
The department shall act to obtain current listings from other racing jurisdictions of persons in harness racing occupations regulated by the racing jurisdictioncommission who have been refused a license or who have had their license revoked or suspended. The commission shall refuse to license or shall suspend the license of these personsany person who has been refused a license or who has had that person's license revoked or suspended in another jurisdiction until notification from the jurisdiction that refused to license or suspended or revoked the license of the person that they arethe person is again eligible for licensing in the racingthat jurisdiction or racing jurisdictions in question.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 126th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.