Sec. 1. 8 MRSA §271, sub-§8, as reallocated by RR 1997, c. 1, §6, is amended to read:

8. Term of license and race date assignment. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, each license to conduct live racing or to engage in simulcast wagering, including by operating an off-track betting facility as defined in section 275-A and all awards of race dates issued or made by the commission, beginning with licenses issued and race dates awarded for 1998, may be for a 2-year period; except, that if a commercial track does not use during the first year of any such 2-year license a race date that it was entitled to receive for both years pursuant to section 275-N, then the commission may hold a hearing prior to the 2nd year or the term of that racing license to determine whether the award of that race date for the second year of the term should be revoked.

Sec. 2. 8 MRSA §275-N, as amended by PL 1999, c. 568, §1, is repealed.

SUMMARY

This bill repeals the limitation on off-track betting facilities that requires at least 150 race dates conducted at commercial tracks during the preceding year in order to license the facility.