HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1565

(a) (1) In addition to the licensing of racing [as
hereinbefore provided], the Commission [is authorized in its
discretion to] MAY issue licenses for the holding of
trotting and pacing meetings at which there may be offered
stakes, purses or awards, and at which there may be
exercised pari-mutuel betting privileges, to the Rosecroft
Trotting and Pacing Association, Inc., Laurel Harness Racing
Association, Inc., and Ocean Downs Racing Association, Inc.,
and the NOT MORE THAN THREE RACING ASSOCIATIONS. THE
Commission shall have supervisory powers over such meetings
and those licensed in the same manner and to the same
extent, where not inappropriate, as it has by virtue of the
provisions of this article over those licensed under the
provisions of §§ 7 and 15 of this article, provided,
however, that under this section not more than one license
with pari-mutuel betting privilege shall be issued in any
county or in Baltimore City and that no such license shall
be issued hereafter in Carroll, Dorchester, Frederick,
Montgomery or Wicomico counties. HOWEVER, IF THE ROSECROFT
TROTTING AND PACING ASSOCIATION, INC., THE LAUREL HARNESS

RACING ASSOCIATION, INC., OR THE OCEAN DOWNS RACING

ASSOCIATION, INC., CEASE TO OWN THE FACILITIES AT WHICH
THEIR TROTTING AND PACING MEETING ARE HELD, THE COMMISSION
MAY ISSUE LICENSES FOR THE HOLDING OF TROTTING AND PACING
MEETINGS TO THE SUCCESSIVE OWNERS.

(2)  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS
ARTICLE GOVERNING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS RELATING TO
RACING DATES, THE HARNESS RACING BOARD, AFTER HAVING DENIED,
REVOKED, OR SUSPENDED A LICENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 7 OR
SECTION 10 OF THIS ARTICLE, MAY ASSIGN SOME OR ALL OF THE
HARNESS RACING DATES PREVIOUSLY AWARDED, OR WHICH COULD HAVE
BEEN AWARDED, TO ANY PERSON, ASSOCIATION, OR CORPORATION
LICENSED UNDER THIS ARTICLE TO CONDUCT RACING. AN
ASSIGNMENT OF DATES MAY ONLY BE MADE WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
PERSON, ASSOCIATION, OR CORPORATION TO WHICH THE ASSIGNMENT
IS MADE.

(3)  THE ASSIGNMENT OF DATES UNDER PARAGRAPHS (2)
THROUGH (5) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL CONSTITUTE A LICENSE
AND NOT A FRANCHISE.

(4)  A LICENSEE WHICH CONDUCTS RACING PURSUANT TO
AN ASSIGNMENT OF DATES UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL RUN THESE
DATES AS HARNESS RACING DATES AND SHALL PAY ALL FEES, TAXES,
AND DISTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUTUEL POOLS AS REQUIRED BY LAW
FOR HARNESS RACING DATES.

(5)  AFTER JULY 1, 1982, PARAGRAPHS (2) THROUGH
(4) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE OF NO FURTHER EFFECT.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is
hereby declared to be an emergency measure and necessary for
the immediate preservation of the public health and safety
and having been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by