Sec. C-1. Commission established. The Commission to Study the Restructuring of the State's Fiscal Policies to Promote the Development of High-technology Industry in Maine, referred to in this Part as the "commission," is established.
Sec. C-2. Issues. The commission shall study the fiscal, cultural and educational issues associated with the encouragement and development of high-technology industry in the State, including specifically issues affecting providers of computer equipment, computer software, electronic components and accessories, communications equipment and communications services. The scope of the commission's study includes, but is not limited to:
1. An examination and report on the state fiscal policies, laws, regulations and financial incentives for the growth and development of high-technology industry in the State, relative to those of other states;
2. An examination and study of the key fiscal, educational and cultural issues affecting the State's high-technology industry; and
3. An examination and a report outlining specific legislative recommendations for restructuring the State's fiscal, educational and cultural policies and laws and rules to create comparative advantages designed to encourage the beneficial expansion of high-technology industry in the State.
Sec. C-3. Membership. The commission consists of 20 members appointed as follows:
1. Two members of the Senate, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, one of whom must be a member of the majority party and one of whom must be a member of the minority party;
2. Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, one of whom must be a member of the majority party and one of whom must be a member of the minority party;
3. Thirteen members, 5 of whom must be appointed by the President of the Senate, 5 of whom must be appointed by the Speaker of the House and 3 of whom must be appointed by the Governor. Two of the appointments by the President and 2 of the appointments by the Speaker of the House must be made upon the recommendation of the minority floor leader of the respective chamber. These members must include:
A. Three representatives with practical experience and knowledge of high-technology development, including one person whose background includes significant experience in computer equipment, electronic components and accessories; one person whose background includes significant experience with communication equipment; and one person whose background includes significant experience with computer software;
B. Four representatives from the academic community, including one economist who has practical experience and knowledge of the high-technology industry and its impact on economic development, one representative with knowledge of electronic communications and computer software, one representative with knowledge of electrical engineering, and one representative of the Maine Technical College System; and
C. Six representatives of industries likely to be affected by high-technology development, including one person who represents the health care industry, one person who represents major manufacturers, one person who represents small businesses, one person who represents the banking and financial services industry, one person who represents the tourism industry and one person who represents a nonprofit organization with an interest in encouraging international trade by Maine concerns; and
4. The Director of the State Planning Office within the Executive Department, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the President of the Maine Science and Technology Foundation, who are ex officio members.
Sec. C-4. Appointments. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this Part. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council upon making their appointments. When the appointment of members is complete, the Chair of the Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission no later than 2 months from the effective date of this Part.
Sec. C-5. Staff assistance. The commission may request staffing assistance from the Legislative Council.
Sec. C-6. Reimbursement. The commission members who are Legislators are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, for each day's attendance at the meetings of the commission and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses upon application to the Legislative Council. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall administer the commission's budget.
Sec. C-7. Chair. The commission shall, at its first meeting select a member to serve as chair. At the first meeting or a subsequent meeting, the commission may select a vice-chair from among its members and establish programmatic and structural committees.
Sec. C-8. Meetings. The commission may meet up to 6 times.
Sec. C-9. Staffing. If funding permits, the commission may employ staff as needed and may contract for administrative, professional, legislative drafting and clerical services.
Sec. C-10. Funding. The commission may seek, accept and expend outside sources of funding to carry out the commission's activities. The Legislative Council shall administer any outside funds acquired for the purposes of this Part.
Sec. C-11. Report. The commission shall present its findings and any recommended legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 118th Legislature by January 1, 1998.
Sec. C-12. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from the Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents to carry out the purposes of this Part.
1997-98
LEGISLATURE
Commission to Study the Restructuring of the State's Fiscal Policies to Promote the Development of High-technology Industry in Maine
Personal Services $1,320
All Other 7,700
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and miscellaneous costs, including printing, of the Commission to Study the Restructuring of the State's Fiscal Policies to Promote the Development of High-technology Industry in Maine.
LEGISLATURE __________
TOTAL $9,020
Sec. C-13. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue funds to carry out the purposes of this Part.
1997-98
LEGISLATURE
Commission to Study the Restructuring of the State's Fiscal Policies to Promote the Development of High-technology Industry in Maine
All Other $25,000
Provides an allocation to the commission for contracted staff.
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