Lundeen sponsors legislation to promote harness racing

 AUGUSTA, Maine – Rep. Jacqueline Lundeen (D-Mars Hill) is co-sponsoring a bill that would establish a commission to promote the harness racing industry in Maine.
   The bill, LD 1073, charges the proposed commission to study and suggest ways to expand opportunities in harness racing to more Maine horsemen and horses. The new commission would also look into expanding race dates and venues and review the rules and regulations governing the sport.
Lundeen recognized the opportunities for expanding the sport and hopes that Aroostook County will gain from the expansion. Presque Isle currently has 13 races scheduled for the 2007 season.
“Right now Presque Isle is an agricultural fair,” said Lundeen, “and this legislation would give Presque Isle money from the state’s racino fund for extended racing. Presque Isle isn’t in on the racino fund, but that would change if the legislation is passed. The money they would receive would be purse money, so the bigger the purse, the more racers there would be, and they’d have to add dates.
“Maine has a culture and environment that could support a large amount of growth in the harness racing industry,” said Lundeen. “Creating this commission will help expand the sport and increase the opportunities for participation in Maine.
According to the legislation, the commission would consist of nine members; two members of the Senate, two members of the House of Representatives, the chair of the Maine harness racing promotion board, the chair of the State Harness Racing Commission or the chair’s designee, two members recommended by an association of horsemen appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources; and one member who is a racing director for an agricultural fair recommended by a statewide fair association and appointed by the ag commissioner.
The commission would study the best way to expand racing opportunities for Maine horsemen and Maine-owned horses, including an orderly expansion of race dates and venues and how to better fund the State Harness Racing Commission in a way that serves the racing industry and the public.
“The commission shall review rules and regulations and issues such as drug testing to ensure the integrity of the sport,” reads the proposed legislation. “In addition, the commission shall explore ways to promote public interest and participation in harness racing for followers of the sport and horse owners.”
The bill has been referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Committee will have a public hearing on the bill in the next few weeks.
“If the legislation is ultimately approved by the governor, the money would be in place for this year’s harness racing season,” said Lundeen. “Harness racing is growing in the state, and it generates a lot of money.”
For more information on the bill, log onto http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280023790&LD=1073&Type=1&SessionID=7.