State Agencies

Bertha K. Frantz, Executive Secretary

501 St. Paul Place
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 659-6313
Toll Free: 1-800-492-7521

The State Athletic Commission, established by
Chapter 710, Acts of 1920, consists of five mem-
bers appointed by the Governor with the advice
and consent of the Secretary of Licensing and
Regulation for six-year terms. The Commission
has supervision over all boxing shows, wrestling
matches, and closed circuit or subscription tele-
casts scheduled and held in the State of Mary-
land. It enacts and enforces such rules as are nec-
essary to govern these bouts. It licenses all
corporations, associations, or persons sponsoring
such bouts, and all referees, managers, seconds,
and participants. The Commission collects from
all sponsors of boxing and wrestling matches a
fee equal to ten per cent of the gross gate receipts
and also ten per cent of the sale of radio, televi-
sion, or motion picture rights to boxing and
wrestling events. The fees are deposited as general
funds with the Comptroller (Code 1957, Art. 56,
secs. 109-26).

Authorization for the Commission until July 1,
1991 (Chapter 519, Acts of 1982).

MARYLAND RACING COMMISSION

THOROUGHBRED RACING BOARD

Chairperson: Robert W. Banning, 1987

J. Neil McCardell, 1983; Kenneth C. Proctor,
1984; E. William Purey, 1985; Ralph W. Pow-
ers, 1986.

HARNESS RACING BOARD

Chairperson: Ben Schwartz, 1987

Norman Diamond, 1984; Vincent D. Palumbo,
1983; C. Bounds Phillips, 1985; Ernest J.
Colvin, 1986.

Executive Secretary: James A. Callahan
Assistant Secretary: William E. Cole, Jr.

501 St. Paul Place
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 659-6267
Toll Free: 1-800-492-7521

The Maryland Racing Commission, established
by Chapter 273, Acts of 1920, and reorganized by
Chapter 831, Acts of 1959, was further restruc-
tured by Chapter 728, Acts of 1977. As presently
constituted, the Commission is composed of ten
members appointed by the Governor with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate for five-year

Licensing and Regulation/25 3

staggered terms. The ten members comprise two
boards: the Harness Racing Board and the Thor-
oughbred Racing Board. No more than four
members of either board may belong to the same
political party. Each Board has exclusive jurisdic-
tion over all rules, regulations, allocation of rac-
ing dates, and all other matters relating to the
powers and duties granted to them by the Act.
The two Boards may meet jointly concerning
matters affecting all racing in the State. The Sec-
retary of Licensing and Regulation resolves any
question of jurisdiction that may arise between
the two Boards.

The Harness Racing Board and the Thorough-
bred Racing Board license all persons, associa-
tions, or corporations that hold any racing meet
within the State where horseracing is permitted for
any stake, purse, or reward. The Boards make all
regulations necessary to govern the races. They
may also regulate the size of the purse, the price of
admission, or the charge made for any article or
service sold at the meets. All persons engaged in
racing in Maryland under assumed names must
register with the appropriate Board and receive its
permission for the use of such name. The Boards
have the power to revoke or suspend the license of
any person or corporation engaged in racing with-
in the State that violates the racing laws or the
rules of the Commission (Code 1957, Art. 78B).

Authorization for the Commission continues
until July 1, 1991 (Chapter 519, Acts of 1982).

MARYLAND-BRED RACE FUND
ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Kenneth C. Proctor, 1983

Joseph B. Hickey, 1983; Howard M. Mosner, Jr.,
1983; Kenneth A. Schertle, 1983; Katharine M.
Voss, 1983.

The Maryland-Bred Race Fund Advisory Com-
mittee, created by Chapter 137, Acts of 1962,
consists of five members appointed by the Mary-
land Racing Commission with the approval of the
Secretary of Licensing and Regulation. Of the five
members, two represent the Maryland Horse
Breeders' Association, one the mile track associa-
tions, and one the half-mile track associations.
One is a member of the Maryland Racing Com-
mission (Code 1957, Art. 78B).

The Committee administers the Maryland-Bred
Race Program and the Maryland-Bred Race
Fund. This Fund was established by having each
thoroughbred track licensee allocate to the Fund
.50% of the mutuel pool of all its races during the
year. The Fund is then used as a purse for races
involving Maryland-Bred horses (Code 1957, Art.
78B, sec. 16).