1. Budget. The department shall develop a recommended operating budget covering All Other account expenses for the biennium for the operating account established in section 267-A. The recommended budget must provide for the conduct of core activities necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and may allow for expenditures for discretionary activities, provided those activities are consistent with the purposes of this chapter. The commission shall conduct a hearing, provide notice of the hearing in accordance with Title 5, section 9052 and receive testimony on the recommended operating budget. Notice of the hearing must be provided to persons who receive distributions from the funds established by sections 281, 298, 299 and 300 and Title 7, section 91. The commission shall make findings based on the hearing and submit its recommendations to the commissioner, who may incorporate the recommendations in the final draft of the recommended budget. The commissioner shall transmit the final draft of the recommended budget to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of the Budget as provided in Title 5, section 1665. During the biennium, the commission may conduct additional hearings and receive additional testimony on revisions to the budget, including an expenditure for a discretionary activity. The commission may approve revisions to the budget, including an expenditure for a discretionary activity, if the commission determines that the activity is consistent with the provisions of this chapter and best serves the interest of the harness racing industry. A. [PL 2019, c. 626, §2 (RP).] B. [PL 2017, c. 231, §5 (RP).] [PL 2019, c. 626, §2 (RPR).] 2. Report. Beginning February 15, 2019, and annually thereafter, the commission shall submit a report to the commissioner and the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over slot machines, harness racing, agricultural fairs and appropriations and financial affairs. This report must include an account of the commission's operations and actions, a report of its financial position, including receipts and disbursements, an account of the practical effects of application of this chapter and any recommended legislation. The operations report must include the number and types of violations of racing laws and rules, the disposition of those violations and the amount of time required for their disposition, including a history of any appeals. The report must include the date and amount of each administrative assessment withdrawn in accordance with section 267-A from each of the assessed funds under section 267-A, subsection 4. The report must include an account of the commission's operations and actions regarding the promotion of harness racing, a summary of income and expenses of the Harness Racing Promotional Fund, including any receipts and disbursements, and an assessment of the economic condition of the harness racing industry in this State. [PL 2017, c. 371, §2 (AMD).]
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