Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 128a - Horse and Dog Racing Meetings
Section 9b - Rules and Regulations of the Commission; Emergency Rules and Regulations

[ Text of section effective until July 31, 2022. Repealed by 2011, 194, Sec. 39. See 2011, 194, Sec. 112 as amended by 2014, 165, Sec. 192; 2016, 176, Sec. 12B; 2017, 56, Sec. 14; 2018, 159, Sec. 14; 2019, 47, Sec. 14; 2020, 1, Sec. 14; 2020, 106, Sec. 14; and 2021, 27, Sec. 14.]
  Section 9B. Notwithstanding the provisions of section five of chapter thirty A, no rule, regulation or condition of the commission promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall take effect except as hereinafter provided.
  A copy of every such rule, regulation or condition shall be filed with the clerk of the senate and shall be forthwith referred by him to the joint committee on government regulations.
  Said committee shall file a written report with the clerk of the senate within thirty days after the filing of the copy thereof with said clerk, stating whether said rules, regulations and conditions are consistent with the statutory provisions under which they were promulgated.
  Said rules, regulations and conditions shall take effect unless disapproved by a majority vote of both branches of the general court within sixty days after the filing of the copy thereof with the clerk of the senate unless the general court has prorogued within said sixty days.
  If the general court prorogues within sixty days of the filing, with the clerk of the senate of such rules, regulations and conditions, the clerk of the senate shall refer the same to the committee on government regulations the next session of the general court.
  Said committee shall report as hereinbefore provided within thirty days of the first day of such session and such rules, regulations and conditions shall take effect unless disapproved by a majority vote of both branches of the general court within sixty days of the first day of such session.
  The clerk of the senate shall notify the commission of the action taken thereon by the general court.
  Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the commission may adopt emergency rules or regulations to protect the health or safety of the public, participants, or animals; provided, however, that no emergency rule or regulation shall attempt to regulate the dates, manner of wagering, or economic terms or conditions of horse and dog racing within the commonwealth; and provided, further, that such emergency rules and regulations shall expire within ninety days.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title XIX - Agriculture and Conservation

Chapter 128a - Horse and Dog Racing Meetings

Section 1 - Definitions

Section 2 - Application for License; Filing; Supplementary Application

Section 3 - Issuance of License; Contents; Conditions; Bond; Recording

Section 4 - Fees; Refund

Section 5 - Pari-Mutuel or Certificate System of Wagering; Licensee's Duties

Section 5a - Recovery of Winnings Upon Wagers; Actions; Unclaimed Winnings

Section 5b - Assessment for Operation of Commission; Refund

Section 5c - Account Wagering System; Betting Accounts; Licensee's Duties; Penalties

Section 6 - Records and Books of Wagers; Access; Financial Statements; Statements of Wagers

Section 7 - Stewards to Conduct Racing Meetings; Representatives; Access; Authority; Reports; Violations

Section 8 - Assignment of Police Officers at Racing Meetings; Approval; Cost; Employment of Veterinarians, Chemists and Laboratory Technicians

Section 8a - Periodic Inspections of Installations and Facilities Operated by Licensees; Supervision of Stewards, Judges and Starters

Section 9 - Power of Commission to Make Rules and Regulations

Section 9a - Licensing and Registering of Agents, Veterinarians, Blacksmiths, Owners, Trainers, Jockeys and Stable Employees; Badges; Suspension and Revocation; Criminal Records

Section 9b - Rules and Regulations of the Commission; Emergency Rules and Regulations

Section 10 - Wagering at Racing Meetings by Minors; Citizenship Requirement for Employees of Licensees

Section 10a - Exclusion of Certain Persons

Section 10b - Falsely Making, Altering, Forging, Uttering or Publishing Pari-Mutuel Betting Tickets

Section 11 - Refusal to Grant, Suspension or Revocation of License

Section 11c - Sale of Ten per Cent or More of Stock; Notice; Approval

Section 12 - Compliance With Chapter

Section 13 - Penalties for Wagering or Betting at Race Track Except as Permitted by Chapter

Section 13a - Application of Laws to Race Tracks or Racing Meetings; Exception; Approval of Locations

Section 13b - Use of Drugs to Affect Speed of Dogs or Horses

Section 13c - Influencing Owner, Trainer, Jockey or Agent to Affect Result of Race

Section 14 - Granting Licenses; Petitions; Ballots; Vote of County

Section 14b - Additional Question on Ballots in Berkshire County

Section 14c - Additional Question on Ballots in Hampshire County

Section 14d - Granting Licenses; Election Results; Copy

Section 14e - Dog Racing Prohibited; Penalty