PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Establish the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§6-I  is enacted to read:
 
6-I.   
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §12  is enacted to read:
§ 12. Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute
The Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute, as established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 6-I and referred to in this section as "the institute," is established to collect and analyze information related to workforce training, research and development, student debt and economic advancement in the State, to make policy recommendations to the Legislature and to conduct targeted research for the Legislature.
 
1.  Legislature to contract with university.     The Legislature, through the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation, development, economic advancement and business matters, shall contract with the University of Maine System to establish and maintain the institute. Personnel coordinating the work of the institute must be appointed by the University of Maine System in consultation with the Legislature and those personnel shall consult with and act on behalf of the Legislature, performing such data collection, analysis and research as the Legislature may require.
 
2.  Steering committee.     The Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute Steering Committee, referred to in this section as "the steering committee," is established to advise the Legislature and the University of Maine System on all matters related to the institute. Steering committee members must be appointed by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation, development, economic advancement and business matters for a term of 2 years. The steering committee shall meet at least 4 times each year and must include one member from each of the following:
 
A.  The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation, development, economic advancement and business matters;
 
B.  The department;
 
C.  The state board;
 
D.  The University of Maine System;
 
E.  The Maine Education Association;
 
F.  The Maine Municipal Association;
 
G.  The Department of Economic and Community Development; and
 
H.  The State Workforce Board, established under Title 26, section 2006.
 
The steering committee shall elect a chair from among its members to serve a term of 2 years.
 
3.  Location and access.     The analysis, recommendations and research results gathered pursuant to this section must be maintained by the institute at the University of Maine System and must be available for use by any interested group or individual.
 
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute and a related steering committee to advise the Legislature on matters related to workforce training, research and development, student debt and economic advancement in the State. The bill directs the Legislature, through the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation, development, economic advancement and business matters, to contract with the University of Maine System to establish the steering committee. The bill describes the 8 required steering committee members and establishes that each member serves a 2-year term and that the steering committee will meet at least 4 times per year.