AN ACT ADJUSTING THE NUMBER OF RACING DAYS AT SUFFOLK DOWNS.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to further regulate simulcasting, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
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. Notwithstanding section 2 of chapter 128A of the General Laws and sections 1, 2 and 2A of chapter 128C of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the running horse racing meeting licensee located in Suffolk county licensed to conduct live racing pursuant to said chapter 128A and simulcast wagering pursuant to said chapter 128C in calendar year 2014 shall remain licensed as a running horse racing meeting licensee until March 31, 2015; provided, however, that the days between January 1 and March 31 shall be dark days during which the licensee shall not conduct live racing unless the licensee applies for and is granted a live racing license pursuant to said chapter 128A. If the licensee obtains such a live racing license, the licensee shall not be required to conduct any live racing to remain authorized to conduct simulcast wagering pursuant to said chapter 128C; provided, however, that all simulcasts shall comply with the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, 15 U. S. C. § 3001 et seq. or other applicable federal law; provided further, that all simulcasts from states which have racing associations that do not require approval in compliance with the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, 15 U. S. C. § 3004 (a)(1)(A), except simulcasts during the month of August, shall require the approval of the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association prior to being simulcast to a racing meeting licensee within the commonwealth; and provided further, that if the association agrees to approve the simulcast for 1 racing meeting licensee, it shall approve the simulcast for all otherwise eligible racing meeting licensees.
SECTION 2. Section 1 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. Section 2 shall take effect on March 31, 2015.
Approved, January 2, 2015.