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PUBLIC LAWS OF MAINE
First Regular Session of the 119th

CHAPTER 73

H.P. 623 - L.D. 863

An Act to Amend the Pulling Event Laws

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

     Whereas, certain revisions to the laws governing pulling events are needed; and

     Whereas, it is critical to the continuing tradition of pulling events throughout the State that pulling superintendents be trained and the Pull Events Commission be revitalized; and

     Whereas, these changes and training may benefit the 1999 pulling season; 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 §75, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1995, c. 602, §3, is further amended to read:

     2. Statutory rules. No A permit may not be issued unless the sponsor has adopted the following rules governing the conduct of each contest.

     Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §75, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 849, §2, is amended to read:

     3. Pull superintendents. Each sponsor of a pulling event shall appoint a pull superintendent who is certified by the commissioner under this section. The name of the superintendent shall must be submitted in conjunction with the application for a permit to conduct each event. Only those listed on the application as superintendent or assistant superintendent may officiate. A superintendent may not officiate as superintendent for any class in a pull event in which that superintendent is participating as a competitor. An assistant superintendent may not officiate as superintendent for any class in a pull event in which that assistant superintendent is participating as a competitor. The Pull Events Commission shall promulgate adopt rules for the qualifications required to be a pull superintendent or assistant pull superintendent. Procedures of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375, shall must be followed for such promulgation adoption.

     Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §75, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 849, §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

     4. Enforcement. The superintendent shall enforce the laws and rules governing pull events and shall report pullers who are disqualified, violations of the law and other matters, as appropriate, to the Pull Events Commission. The commission shall send a copy of any such report to the sponsor whose name appears on the application for the pulling event and to the person whose conduct has been reported to the commission.

Humane agents shall promptly report to the pull superintendent any pulling event actions that violate this chapter, any portion of the animal welfare laws in this Title or any rule enacted by the department. If the superintendent fails or refuses to take corrective action, the humane agent shall take action to enforce the animal welfare laws and make a written report to the commission concerning all violations.

     Sec. 4. 7 MRSA §75, sub-§6, as amended by PL 1993, c. 549, §1, is further amended to read:

     6. Pull Events Commission. The Pull Events Commission shall be as follows is established pursuant to this section.

     Sec. 5. Report to Legislature. No later than January 15, 2000, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Pull Events Commission shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on disqualifications at pull events, violations of laws and rules governing pull events, and violations of the animal welfare laws observed at pulling events during the 1999 season. The report must summarize reports submitted by pull superintendents and humane agents in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 75, subsection 4. The report must include minutes from commission meetings and an update on training seminars for pull superintendents.

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

Effective April 16, 1999.

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