Resolve, To Implement Select Recommendations of the Joint Select Committee on Future Maine Prosperity

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

Whereas,  the Joint Select Committee on Future Maine Prosperity issued its final report in January 2008; and

Whereas,  the committee's report recommended a wide variety of strategies and actions designed to improve the State's economy and support greater prosperity for all citizens of the State; and

Whereas,  the committee's report specifically called for an improved business climate in the State; and

Whereas,  the committee's report acknowledged that it was critical that state agencies work to improve relationships with the business community and eliminate adversarial relationships; and

Whereas,  the committee's report specifically recommended that the Governor direct all state agencies to reinvent themselves and how they interact with businesses in the State in order to provide a consistent, efficient and effective regulatory environment; and

Whereas,  the committee's report called for regulatory reform that achieves goals in a manner that minimizes unnecessary and unproductive conflicts and redundancies for the regulated community; and

Whereas,  this resolve needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period in order for the report required in this legislation to be completed in a timely fashion; 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, be it

Sec. 1. Maine Regulatory Fairness Board to identify regulatory burdens and find efficiencies. Resolved: That the Maine Regulatory Fairness Board, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 57, in consultation with private and public stakeholders, including but not limited to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Department of Health and Human Services, shall review and identify ways to advance the State's business climate as identified by the 2009 Measures of Growth In Focus report from the Maine Economic Growth Council, the final report of the Joint Select Committee on Future Maine Prosperity, the report entitled "Charting Maine’s Future, An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable Prosperity and Quality Places" by the Brookings Institution and any other reports identified by the board; to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and consistency of the State's regulatory systems; and to improve the relationships between regulators and the regulated community. The Maine Regulatory Fairness Board shall use the process for accepting public input through public meetings across the State currently required pursuant to Title 5, section 57 to assist in the identification of regulatory burdens; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That, no later than February 15, 2010, the Maine Regulatory Fairness Board shall provide a briefing regarding the work performed to date pursuant to section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development and that same committee is authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject matter of section 1 to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. No later than January 15, 2011, the board shall also provide a written report that includes its findings and recommendations pursuant to section 1, including any suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business, research and economic development matters.

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