HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1239        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1856

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act providing economic opportunities for greyhound racetrack employees..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 10 of the General Laws is herby amended by inserting after section 69 the following section:-

Section 70. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund known as the Greyhound Workers’ Re-Training and Support Fund which shall not be subject to further appropriation. Through December 31, 2010, all monies available through and generated by the Greyhound Promotional Trust Fund and the Greyhound Capital Improvements Trust Fund established pursuant to section 12A of chapter 494 of the acts of 1978 shall fund the Greyhound Workers’ Re-training and Support Fund.

The state treasurer, ex officio, shall be the custodian of the trust fund and shall receive, deposit and invest all monies received (1) under the provisions of section 5 of chapter 128A; (2) from public and private sources as gifts, grants and donations to further assist displaced commercial dog track workers; and (3) any interest earned by the fund.  Any amount of the fund unexpended as of December 31, 2012 shall be deposited in the General Fund.

SECTION 2. Subsection e(3) of section 5 of chapter 128A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the words “Greyhound Promotional Trust Fund, under the direction and supervision of the state racing commissioners as they are individuals as trustees of the trust” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Greyhound Workers’ Re-Training and Support Fund. 

SECTION 3. Subsection g of section 5 of chapter 128A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the words “, and the Greyhound Capital Improvements Trust Fund and the Greyhound Promotional Trust Fund, each established pursuant to section 12A of said chapter 494”.

SECTION 4. Chapter 128C of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking in all instances the words “a sum equal to one-quarter of one per cent of the total amount wagered shall be paid to the Greyhound Promotional Trust Fund under the direction and supervision of the state racing commissioners” and “a sum equal to one-quarter of one per cent of the total amount wagered shall be paid to Greyhound Capital Improvements Trust Fund under the direction and supervision of the state racing commissioners” and inserting in place thereof:- a sum equal to one-half of one per cent of the total amount wagered shall be paid to the Greyhound Workers’ Re-training and Support Fund. 

SECTION 5. The Department of Labor shall establish a Greyhound Workers’ Re-Training and Support Program.  The Department shall assess the needs of employees of greyhound racing tracks in the Commonwealth, and the employees of directly affiliated businesses in the Commonwealth.  The Department shall provide assistance to such employees, which may include tuition assistance, direct financial support, or other professional or educational training assistance.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect upon its passage.