An Act To Make Technical Corrections in the Laws Regarding Funding Adult Education Programs and the Closure of an Elementary School in a School District
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, certain inconsistencies have been identified in the school district reorganization law, Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX, that may adversely affect the ability of school administrative units to raise and appropriate funds for adult education programs; and
Whereas, certain inconsistencies have been also identified in the school district reorganization law, Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX, that may adversely affect the authority of member municipalities in school administrative districts and community school districts to close an elementary school; and
Whereas, the provisions of this Act must take effect immediately to allow school administrative units to raise and appropriate funds for adult education programs and to restore the authority of member municipalities in school administrative districts and community school districts to close an elementary school; 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. 20-A MRSA §4102, sub-§4, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 422, §17, is amended to read:
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §8603-A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 131, §3, is amended to read:
§ 8603-A. Warrant to raise, appropriate, receive and expend money
"Article .......: To see if (the school administrative unit) will appropriate $............ for adult education and raise $............ as the local share; with authorization to expend any additional, incidental , or miscellaneous receipts in the interest and for the well-being of the adult education program."
Sec. 3. Retroactivity. That section of this Act that amends the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4102, subsection 4, paragraph A applies retroactively to June 7, 2007.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
Summary
This bill is introduced by the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX, section 47. The bill makes the following changes to correct inconsistencies in the laws governing the reorganization of school administrative units.
1. It corrects inconsistencies in the laws pertaining to the authority of school administrative units to raise and appropriate funds for adult education programs.
2. It replaces provisions that were repealed pursuant to Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX that are related to the closure of an elementary school within a school administrative district or a community school district and establishes that these provisions are retroactive to June 7, 2007.