PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 750

Article shall be distributed to a special fund to be used only to Increase purses at harness racing
tracks and mile thoroughbred racing tracks in the State in accordance with this Act.

(b)    In accordance with § 7-209 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, the
Governor by budgetary amendment shall allocate money from the special fund created under
subsection (a) of this section to increase purses at harness racing tracks and mile thoroughbred
racing tracks in the following manner:
(1) 70% to purses at the mile thoroughbred racing tracks; and

(2) 30% to purses at the harness racing tracks.

(c)     The purses shall be increased at harness racing tracks and mile thoroughbred
racing tracks according to a formula determined by the State Racing Commission, the race
track licensees, the organization that represents a majority of owners and trainers of
standardbred horses in the State, and the organization that represents a majority of owners and
trainers of thoroughbred horses in the State.

SECTIONS. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all funds provided for purses at
harness racing tracks and mile thoroughbred racing tracks by this Act shall be in addition to
and may not supplant;

(a)    Amounts allocated for purses under current agreements between the harness racing
tracks and the organization that represents a majority of owners and trainers of standardbred
horses in the State; and

(b)    Amounts otherwise provided in statute for purses at mile thoroughbred racing
tracks in the State.

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That;

(a)    The Governor shall create a commission to study ways to improve the financial
viability of the racing industry.

(b)     The commission shall include within the scope of the study the economic and
social impacts of the options it considers on the communities surrounding Pimlico Race
Course, including ways to improve local employment and economic development
opportunities. If appropriate and if funds are available, the commission shall contract with an
independent entity with experience in local impact studies to assist its review of the community
impact.

(c)     The commission shall be comprised of:

(1) Three members of the Senate Finance Committee, appointed by the
President of the Senate;

(2) One additional member Four members of the Senate of Maryland,
appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3) Three members of the House Committee on Ways and Means, appointed by
the Speaker of the House:

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