LD 1944, An Act To Implement Certain Recommendations of the Washington County Economic Development Task Force

An Act To Implement Certain Recommendations of the Washington County Economic Development Task Force

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §5250-I, sub-§7-A is enacted to read:

7-A. Experiential tourism. “Experiential tourism” means tourism that allows individuals to be active participants in outdoor recreational activities including but not limited to: hiking, camping, birding and other wildlife viewing, nature photography, visits to historical and cultural sights and museums, nature tourism, adventure tourism and ecotourism.

Sec. 2. 30-A MRSA §5250-J, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 2005, c. 451, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

D. Washington County and the Downeast region including 2 pilot projects to be established by the commissioner:

(1) A pilot project for the property of the former Cutler naval computer and telecommunications station, which may be excluded from the qualified business definitions established under section 5250-I, subsections 16 and 17 if a for-profit business is engaged in, or will engage in, tourism development including recreational tourism, experiential tourism, hotel development and resort facility development; and

(2) A pilot project that allows seasonal employees in seasonal industries based on natural resources to be considered qualified Pine Tree Development Zone employees for the purposes of section 5250-I, subsection 18; and

Sec. 3. Pilot projects in Washington County. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall report by February 15, 2008 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business, research and economic development matters on the progress of the 2 pilot Pine Tree Development Zone projects in Washington County, established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 5250-J, subsection 1, paragraph D, including any proposed changes to the pilot projects. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business, research and economic development matters may report out legislation on the Washington County pilot projects to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.

Sec. 4. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF

Regional Development 0792

Initiative: Provides one-time funds for the Washington County Development Authority to be distributed through a request for proposal process.
GENERAL FUND 2005-06 2006-07
All Other $0 $75,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $75,000

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GENERAL FUND	2005-06	2006-07
All Other	$0	$75,000

GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$75,000