HP0962, LD 1334, item 1, An Act To Rename the Maine International Trade Center the Maine Trade Center and To Establish within the Center International and Domestic Export Branches

An Act To Rename the Maine International Trade Center the Maine Trade Center and To Establish within the Center International and Domestic Export Branches

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

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §13070-C, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §3, is amended to read:

§ 13070-C. Trade Director

1. Appointment. The Governor shall appoint a full-time International Trade Director, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business and economic development matters and confirmation by the Legislature, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The director shall report to the commissioner in the execution of the director's responsibilities.

2. Duties. The International Trade Director shall implement the State's policies with respect to development of international and domestic trade opportunities for the State's businesses and citizens. The director shall serve as the State's diplomat and shall advocate within the State and abroad on behalf of the State and the State's international community.

The director shall serve as the president of the Maine International Trade Center upon confirmation by the center's Board of Directors of the Maine International Trade Center. The director shall oversee activities of the center and has the duties and responsibilities as provided in Title 10, chapter 107-B.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §13141, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 95, §5, is amended to read:

B. To advise the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the Maine International Trade Center, the Maine Technology Institute and other state agencies of the needs of a targeted industry;

Sec. 3. 10 MRSA §11, sub-§4, ¶B, as amended by PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6; PL 2007, c. 266, §1; and PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5, is further amended to read:

B. The following 4 commissioners or the commissioners' designees of the following 4 departments and the president or the president's designee of the Maine International Trade Center who serve as ex officio, nonvoting members:

(1) Department of Labor;

(3) Department of Environmental Protection;

(4) Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; and

(5) Department of Health and Human Services.

Sec. 4. 10 MRSA §11, sub-§9, ¶D, as amended by PL 2007, c. 266, §3, is further amended to read:

D. Shall maintain active communications with and submit an annual report to the Governor, the Legislature, the Attorney General, municipalities, Maine's congressional delegation, the Maine International Trade Center, the Maine Municipal Association, the United States Trade Representative's Office, the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Association of Attorneys General or the successor organization of any of these groups. The commission shall make the report easily accessible to the public by way of a publicly accessible site on the Internet maintained by the State. The report must contain information acquired pursuant to activities under paragraph B and may contain information acquired pursuant to activities under paragraph C;

Sec. 5. 10 MRSA §13, sub-§§3 and 4, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 385, §1, are further amended to read:

3. Receipt of request for trade agreement. When a communication from the United States Trade Representative concerning a trade agreement provision is received by the State, the Governor shall submit a copy of the communication and the proposed trade agreement, or relevant provisions of the trade agreement, to the chairs of the commission, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Maine International Trade Center and the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over state and local government matters and business, research and economic development matters.

4. Review by commission. The commission, in consultation with the Maine International Trade Center, shall review and analyze the trade agreement and issue a report on the potential impact on the State of agreeing to be bound by the trade agreement, including any necessary implementing legislation, to the Legislature and the Governor.

Sec. 6. 10 MRSA §945, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:

The Maine International Trade Center, referred to in this chapter as the "center," is established to enhance the competitive advantage of state businesses desiring to compete in the international and domestic market. The center provides a source of leadership, coordination and a shared vision for international and domestic trade development in the State. The purpose of the center, through its cooperative public and private board, is to refine, revise and implement the State's international and domestic strategic plan by providing and enhancing services in coordination with the economic development activities of the private sector, community and regional agencies and State Government.

Sec. 7. 10 MRSA §945-A, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:

§ 945-A. Duties

The center shall provide a base level of services without regard to membership in the center and enhanced services as the center's board of directors may direct , to private entities, individuals, the State and to quasi-public and public entities. The center shall encourage and assist the growth of the State's international and domestic economic activities in the following ways.

1. Forum. The center shall provide a continuing forum for the exchange of expertise, ideas and innovations between the public and private sectors.

2. Education. The center shall offer quality education and technical services to businesses in the State that compete or seek to compete in worldwide international and domestic markets.

3. Development of programs. The center shall act as a catalyst in the development and coordination of international and domestic programs.

4. Public policy. The center shall underscore the importance of international and domestic trade as a priority of public policy and to enhance public appreciation of the relevance of the international and domestic economy.

5. Information. The center shall provide information necessary to transact international and domestic business and to make effective decisions concerning international and domestic trade and policy.

6. Infrastructure. The center shall support the development and availability of an overall infrastructure conducive to international and domestic business.

7. Dissemination of programs. The center shall promote the development and dissemination of education, training and technical assistance programs appropriate for foreign countries.

8. Market opportunities. The center shall identify market opportunities and potential contracts in foreign countries that match the technologies and expertise available in the State and coordinate and submit appropriate proposal responses.

9. Database. The center shall maintain an international and domestic commerce data base database to assist in making program decisions.

10. Branches. The center shall establish international and domestic export branches within the center.

Sec. 8. 10 MRSA §945-C, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:

The Board of Directors of the Maine International Trade Center, referred to in this chapter as the "board of directors," consists of 7 directors elected from the membership and 5 directors appointed by the Governor. Each director is entitled to one vote. Board members' terms must be staggered as determined in the bylaws of the center.

Sec. 9. 10 MRSA §945-C, sub-§§2 and 4, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, are amended to read:

2. Governor-selected directors. The Governor shall select 5 directors, one of whom must be the International Trade Director at the Department of Economic and Community Development. The other 4 directors must have international business or professional experience.

4. President. The International Trade Director at the Department of Economic and Community Development shall serve as the president of the center upon confirmation by a majority of the board of directors. Once every 2 years, the Governor shall submit the International Trade Director's name to the board of directors for reappointment. Reappointment is subject to confirmation by a majority of the board of directors.

Sec. 10. 10 MRSA §945-C, sub-§5, ¶¶C and F, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, are amended to read:

C. Ensure that the center's programs reflect the policy and management decisions as described in the strategic plan for the State concerning international and domestic trade;

F. Serve as the State's diplomat, providing leadership in the area of international and domestic trade and advocating within the State and abroad on behalf of the State's international and domestic trade community; and

Sec. 11. 10 MRSA §945-D, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:

3. Economic development services; fees. Employ a staff and provide services to public or private entities to assist their efforts in the development of international and domestic trade in the State and to charge such fees for these services as it determines appropriate;

Sec. 12. 10 MRSA §945-D, sub-§10, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:

10. Cooperation with agencies and organizations. Cooperate with governmental agencies and the University of Maine System; and cooperate, assist and encourage organizations, local or regional, private or public, in the communities of the State in the promotion, assistance and development of international and domestic trade in those communities and the State.

Sec. 13. 10 MRSA §945-M, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:

§ 945-M. Liberal construction

This chapter may be construed liberally to effect the intent and purposes of the center for an improved and enhanced international and domestic trade development effort in the State and may not be construed as a limitation of powers.

Sec. 14. 23 MRSA §4421, first ¶, as repealed and replaced by PL 2007, c. 134, §4, is amended to read:

The Maine Port Authority consists of a board of directors, referred to in this section as "the board." The board consists of 7 directors who must be broadly representative of the State and must have a background in international trade, marine transportation, finance or economic development. Five directors are appointed by the Governor, each to serve for 4 years. The Commissioner of Transportation serves as an ex officio member of the board and as chair of the board and president. The president of the Maine International Trade Center serves as an ex officio member of the board. The directors shall elect a vice-chair, treasurer and other officers as the board determines necessary. A vacancy must be filled for an unexpired term by the Governor.

Sec. 15. Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, chapter 107-B, in the chapter headnote, the words "Maine international trade center" are amended to read "Maine trade center" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.

summary

This bill changes the name of the Maine International Trade Center to the Maine Trade Center and directs the center to establish international and domestic export branches within the center.

HP0962 LD 1334	Session - 129th Maine Legislature		LR 2219 Item 1
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