NEW: Gaming Commission Announces “Emergency Regs”, Seeks Input
Friday, April 12, 2013
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission announced on Friday that it is seeking public input on the Community Host Agreement process.
On Thursday April 11th, the Commission said it decided to seek public comments on a "draft emergency" regulation that would prohibit the holding of voter referendum on a gaming facility prior to the determination of suitability of the gaming applicant by the Commission.
The draft regulation provides an exception under which communities would be allowed to hold a referendum in advance of the Commission’s suitability determination.
According to the Commission website, it is a result of feedback from various constituents, including communities and gaming applicants, that adherence to the current regulation "may unnecessarily delay the licensing process, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is proposing an emergency regulation relative to host communities’ ability to move forward prior to a determination of applicant suitability."
The emergency regulation will allow for a host community to hold a referendum prior to a suitability determination provided "the community’s governing body formally approves a pre-suitability referendum" and "the community engages in an awareness campaign paid for by the applicant to educate voters on the suitability process still in progress by MGC."
The Commission welcomes comments from interested parties which should be submitted by April 17, 2013 at 1:00pm, via e-mail to [email protected] with “Host Community Referendum” in the subject line. The Commission plans to vote on the emergency regulation at its April 18, 2013 meeting.
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