For purposes of the Maine Sunset Act, Title 3, chapter 23 35, the authority shall be considered is an independent agency, with its first justification report in accordance with Title 3, section 504, due in 1991, and the evaluation and analysis in accordance with Title 3, section 505, by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over audit and program review due no later than December 31, 1992, but notwithstanding Title 3, sections 506 and 507, the authority shall not terminate subject to the review requirements specified in Title 3, section 959.

Sec. 41. 20-A MRSA §12302, sub-§3, ¶¶A and B, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §2 and affected by §4 and enacted by PL 1999, c. 496, §2, are repealed and the following enacted in their place:

A.__Applicants under subsection 1, paragraph A who meet eligibility criteria established by rule of the authority, which at a minimum must require:

(1)__That the student be a Maine resident;

(2)__That the student be enrolled in a dental school; and

(3)__That priority be given to a student:

(a)__Who previously received a loan pursuant to this section;

(b)__Who exhibits financial need; and

(c)__Who demonstrates an interest in serving an underserved population area; and

B.__Applicants under subsection 1, paragraph B who meet eligibility criteria established by rule of the authority, which at a minimum must require:

(1)__That the applicant be eligible for licensure to practice dental medicine in Maine;

(2)__That the applicant have outstanding dental education loans; and

(3)__That the applicant be willing to serve an underserved population area.