Chapter 013

2010 -- H 8070 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 05/14/10

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO SPORTS, RACING AND ATHLETICS -- DOG RACING

          

     Introduced By: Representatives Costantino, Melo, and Carter

     Date Introduced: April 29, 2010

     

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

     SECTION 1. Section 41-3.1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 41-3.1 entitled "Dog

Racing in Burrillville, Lincoln, and West Greenwich" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

     41-3.1-3. Regulation of operations. -- (a) The division of racing and athletics is hereby

authorized to license dog racing in the towns of Burrillville, Lincoln, and West Greenwich. The

operation of a dog track shall be under the division's supervision. The division is hereby

authorized to issue rules and regulations for the supervision of the operations, and the regulations

are to be issued prior to commencement of licensing hearings.

      (b) Any license granted under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the rules

and regulations promulgated by the division and shall be subject to suspension or revocation for

any cause which the division shall deem sufficient after giving the licensee a reasonable

opportunity for a hearing at which he or she shall have the right to be represented by counsel. If

any license is suspended or revoked, the division shall state the reasons for the suspension or

revocation and cause an entry of the reasons to be made on the record books of the division.

     (c) The division of commercial licensing and racing and athletics in the department of

business regulation shall be prohibited from licensing dog racing and/or the operation of a dog

track upon which dog racing occurs in the town of Lincoln. Any license having been issued and

in effect as of the effective date of this section shall be null and void and any licensee shall be

prohibited form operating thereunder; provided, however, that the following entities shall be

deemed pari-mutuel licensees as defined in section 42-61.2-1 et seq. and licensees as defined in

section 41-11-1 et seq.: (1) Any entity having been issued a license to operate a dog track prior to

December 31, 2008; and (2) Any entity having been issued a license to operate a dog track prior

to December 31, 2008 that after such date is reorganized under a confirmed plan of reorganization

pursuant to chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. sections 101-

1532); and provided, further, that in the case of a reorganized licensee under clause (2) above, its

application for a Facility Permit license is approved and issued by the department of business

regulation in the event of a proposed change in control of the entity. Nothing herein shall limit the

ability of the department of business regulation, in connection with a proposed change in control,

to investigate and subject to the regulatory due diligence process, any holder of an ownership

interest regardless of percentage of ownership held.

 

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC02519/SUB A

=======