§ 23-111-203 - Powers and duties generally. - Arkansas Statutes

23-111-203. Powers and duties generally.

(a) Subject to the limitations and conditions as in this chapter or other applicable law provided, the Arkansas Racing Commission shall have sole jurisdiction over the business and the sport of greyhound racing in the state where the racing is permitted for any stake, purse, or reward.

(b) In exercising the jurisdiction as provided in subsection (a) of this section, but without necessarily being limited to the following, it shall be the function, power, and duty of the commission to:

(1) Grant franchises to conduct greyhound races;

(2) Approve dates for each racing meet and issue permits therefor;

(3) Issue licenses to greyhound owners and greyhound trainers;

(4) Establish by rule the license fees, not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per applicant, for greyhound owners and greyhound trainers;

(5) Collect and deposit into the State Treasury all fees for franchises and licenses, all taxes and other imposts, and all other moneys due the State of Arkansas in relation to greyhound racing;

(6) Hear and determine all matters properly coming before the commission and grant rehearings thereon; and

(7) Take such other action, not inconsistent with law, as it may deem necessary or desirable to supervise and regulate and to effectively control in the public interest greyhound racing in the State of Arkansas.

(c) (1) (A) An applicant shall be fingerprinted to determine an applicant's suitability to be issued a license as a greyhound owner or trainer.

(B) The fingerprints shall be forwarded by the commission to the Department of Arkansas State Police for statewide criminal and noncriminal background checks.

(C) After completion of the statewide criminal and noncriminal background checks, the fingerprints shall be forwarded by the department to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check.

(2) The applicant shall sign a release that authorizes the:

(A) Department to forward the applicant's fingerprint card to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check; and

(B) Release of the results of the statewide criminal and noncriminal background checks and the national criminal history record check to the commission.

(3) (A) Any information received by the commission from the statewide criminal and noncriminal background check and the national criminal history record check shall be kept confidential and may be used by the commission only for the purpose of determining the applicant's suitability to be licensed by the commission.

(B) The commission may disclose any information under subdivision (c)(3)(A) of this section to the applicant or the applicant's duly authorized representative.

(4) No statewide criminal and noncriminal background checks or national criminal history record check shall be required of applicants for certain classes of licenses that have been exempted from investigation by rules promulgated by the commission.

(5) The commission shall promulgate rules to implement this subsection.