1094

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 413

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section
27 of Article 78B - Facing Commission, of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1975 Replacement Volume and 1975
Supplement) be and it is hereby repealed and reenacted,
with amendments, to read as follows:

Article 78B — Racing Commission

27.

In addition to the other provisions of this article,
there shall be no less than two or more than [four] EIGHT
days for steeplechase or turf racing as in this section
provided. Said days of racing shall be held by THE
MARYLAND STATE RACING COMMISSION FOR THE USE OF the Cecil
County Breeders' Fair, Inc., OR ITS SUCCESSORS, at Fair
Hill, Maryland. The days of racing shall be held on the
first and second Saturdays following Labor Day each and
every year, and such other dates as selected by the fair
and approved by the Commission. The racing card on each
such day of racing shall be so arranged and organized
that there shall be one or more "jumping" or steeplechase
race for every "flat" race on turf; except, however, that
if one of the scheduled steeplechase or jumping races is
not filled, an additional turf race may be substituted
therefor. On at least one of the days of racing there
shall be held in conjunction therewith an agricultural
fair with livestock entered for exhibition, the fair to
be held under the sanction and auspices of Maryland State
Fair Board. The said racing meets shall be held
generally in compliance with the provisions of this
article except as otherwise specified in this section.
Pari—mutuel betting as carried on generally throughout
this State shall be permitted on the days of racing
authorized by this section. The operator of the racing
meet shall return to the winning patrons wagering sums on
races all sums so wagered less an amount equal to the sum
of [16] 18 percent of the total amount so wagered plus
the breakage. A sum equal to [5%] 8 PERCENT of the total
amount wagered, said [5%] 8 PERCENT being part of the
[16] 18 percent above referred to shall be paid over to
the State Racing Commission, and by the Racing Commission
to the State Comptroller, to be [added to the general
funds of the State.] CREDITED TO THE FAIR HILL
IMPROVEMENT FUND ESTABLISHED IN §5-908 OF THE NATURAL
RESOURCES ARTICLE. All profits derived under the
provisions of this section by the Cecil County Breeders'
Fair, Inc., whether from the operation of pari—mutuel
betting or from admission charges or other receipts less
all proper expenses for operating said meet shall be paid
over [the] TO the Union Hospital of Cecil County,
Maryland. No officer of the Cecil County Breeders' Fair,
Inc., shall receive any salary or dividends by virtue of
the operation of the said racing.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1976.