Sec. 2. PL 1997, c. 444, §10 is amended to read:

*Sec. 10. Report; dioxin. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Human Services shall report to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters by May 1, 2001, and every January 1st thereafter, on progress made in achieving the requirements specified in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 420, subsection 2. On May 1, 2003 February 16, 2004, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Human Services shall present to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters a comprehensive assessment on the progress in eliminating the discharge of dioxin from bleach kraft pulp mills in this State. The assessment must report on:

1. Dioxin concentrations in fish above and below mills and the health implications of those concentrations;

2. Any evidence that dioxin is being discharged from any mill;

3. Current technology that achieves no discharge of dioxin;

4. The need for continuing the dioxin monitoring program; and

5. Other known sources of dioxin polluting rivers in this State.

The commissioners shall make recommendations regarding any additional action that may be warranted.