PRINTER'S NO. 355
No. 326 Session of 1977
INTRODUCED BY A. K. HUTCHINSON, FEBRUARY 14, 1977
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 14, 1977
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of December 22, 1959 (P.L.1978, No.728),
2 entitled, as amended, "An act providing for and regulating
3 harness racing with pari-mutuel wagering on the results
4 thereof; creating the State Harness Racing Commission as a
5 departmental administrative commission within the Department
6 of Agriculture and defining its powers and duties; providing
7 for the establishment and operation of harness racing plants
8 subject to local option; imposing taxes on revenues of such
9 plants; disposing of all moneys received by the commission
10 and all moneys collected from the taxes; authorizing
11 penalties; and making appropriations," further providing for
12 distribution of funds and changing the maximum amount of
13 funds that may be distributed to any one project.
14 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
15 hereby enacts as follows:
16 Section 1. Subsection (a.1) of section 16, act of December
17 22, 1959 (P.L.1978, No.728), referred to as the State Harness
18 Racing Law, added December 30, 1974 (P.L.1139, No.364) and
19 amended June 29, 1976 (No.112), is amended to read:
20 Section 16. Disposition and Appropriation of Funds Accruing
21 under the Provisions of this Act.--* * *
22 (a.1) Thirty-six and one-third per centum of such moneys
23 paid into the State Harness Racing Fund by permit holders
24 conducting racing other than in school districts of the first
1 class shall be paid to the Department of Commerce. Moneys paid
2 to the Department of Commerce are hereby appropriated for
3 distribution together with any funds appropriated for community
4 facility programs by the Secretary of Commerce to eligible
5 boroughs having a population of less than twelve thousand,
6 eligible townships having a population of less than twelve
7 thousand, each of their municipality authorities, or county
8 authorities authorized to service the borough or township, for
9 projects providing for the construction, rehabilitation,
10 alteration, expansion, or improvement of water facilities,
11 sewage disposal facilities and access roads, in amounts not to
12 exceed seventy-five per centum of the cost thereof, but not
13 exceeding [seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) if] forty per
14 centum of the cost thereof, in accordance with regulations
15 promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce and approved by the
16 Governor. No distribution shall be made in connection with any
17 project unless it is determined that the project:
18 (1) Is not in conflict with programs of other departments of
19 the Commonwealth;
20 (2) Is not inconsistent with an existing development plan
21 for the municipality;
22 (3) Could not otherwise be financed except funds
23 appropriated for community facility programs;
24 (4) Will either strengthen the income-producing capability
25 of the municipality, or improve the health and safety of the
26 community;
27 (5) Is necessary to orderly community development; and
28 (6) Does not involve other State funds.
29 * * *
30 Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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