An Act To Establish the Penobscot Language Preservation Fund in the Department of Education

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period in order to provide funding to maintain and preserve the Penobscot language as soon as possible; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF

Penobscot Language Preservation Fund

Initiative: Establishes the Penobscot Language Preservation Fund and appropriates funds for the Department of Education to provide financial assistance to the Penobscot Indian Nation to develop a program to maintain and preserve the Penobscot language. The language program must be maintained and managed under the auspices of the tribal cultural and historic preservation department. These funds may also be used to match other funding sources.

GENERAL FUND	2005-06	2006-07
All Other	$150,000	$150,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$150,000	$150,000

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the Penobscot Language Preservation Fund and appropriates funds for the Department of Education to provide financial assistance to the Penobscot Indian Nation to develop a program to maintain and preserve the Penobscot language. The language program must be maintained and managed under the auspices of the tribal cultural and historic preservation department. These funds may also be used to match other funding sources.