HP1301, LD 1830, item 1, An Act Establishing the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future

An Act Establishing the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future

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

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA c. 310, as amended, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA c. 310-A is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 310-A

OFFICE OF POLICY INNOVATION AND THE FUTURE

§ 3121. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1. Director. "Director" means the Director of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future appointed pursuant to section 3123.

2. Office. "Office" means the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future established by section 3122.

§ 3122. Office of Policy Innovation and the Future; establishment; purposes

The Office of Policy Innovation and the Future is established in the Executive Department to: support the creation of a coherent system of policy planning and coordinated implementation as one function and responsibility of the executive branch; serve the Governor as a research, advisory, consultative, coordinating and administrative agency; and advance policies that support a sustainable future for the State's people, communities, natural resources, physical infrastructure, industries, businesses and institutions by:

1. Assistance; data; policy. Providing technical assistance and data to the Governor by undertaking special studies and plans as directed and preparing policy;

2. Coordination. Facilitating general intergovernmental coordination;

3. Innovation. Supporting state efforts to encourage innovation and policy that facilitate innovation in the public and private sectors;

4. Technology. Supporting improved technology use for government programs and advancing responsible state data policies;

5. Resources. Supporting the development of the State's economy and energy resources with the conservation of its natural resources; and

6. Analysis. Conducting ongoing demographic, economic, workforce and other needed analyses to support state policy makers.

§ 3123. Director

1. Appointment; salary; qualifications. The Director of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future is appointed by the Governor, serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is paid a salary fixed by the Governor. The director must be qualified by education, training and experience in policy planning or public administration.

2. Duties. The director shall exercise the powers of the office and is responsible for the execution of the duties of the office. The director shall:

A. Appoint and remove the staff of the office and prescribe the duties of the staff as necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter.

(1) The director is authorized to hire professional personnel competent by education, training and experience in the fields of economics and economic development, local and regional planning, statistics, human resources, natural resources, climate science, energy, transportation, finance, taxation, health, education and general science and policy making.

(2) The director is authorized to employ office assistance as required and authorized by the budget;

B. Supervise and administer the affairs of the office and advise the Governor and other officials of State Government on matters of statewide policy planning, and consult with them about policy planning and development matters and projects that affect the future of the State and its people;

C. At the request of the Governor, act for the State in the initiation of or participation in any multi-governmental agency program related to the purposes of this chapter;

D. At the request of the Governor, prepare and submit a budget for the office; and

E. At the request of the Governor, report on the activities of the office and, after consultation with and approval by the Governor, submit such recommendations for legislative action as are determined necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.

Any department, agency, authority, board, commission or other instrumentality of the State or other governmental unit may assist in the gathering of information, reports and data that relate to state policy planning and development. Upon request by the director, the Governor may assign to the office on a temporary basis personnel from any other state department or agency needed for a project assigned to the office.

§ 3124. Office

1. Duties. The office shall:

A. Provide technical assistance to the Governor in identifying intermediate and long-range goals and policies for the State and appropriate measures to achieve these goals;

B. Conduct continuing analysis of the economy, human resources, natural resources and energy resources of the State, as well as other issues as directed by the Governor; collect and collate all data and statistics relating to these matters; and assist the Governor and state departments in formulating policies and programs to achieve identified goals;

C. Participate with other states or their subdivisions in interstate policy planning and provide guidance to other state or local governments to assist their policy planning;

D. Assist the State in applying for, using and leveraging federal and private grant-making sources on issues of importance to the State; and

E. Act as a coordinating agency among departments and agencies of State Government on issues requiring multiple departments or agencies to work together to develop strategies to respond to state challenges.

2. Contracts; agreements; funding. The office may:

A. With the consent of the Governor, employ expert and professional consultants and contract for services as the director determines necessary, within the limits of the funds provided and consistent with the powers and duties of the office;

B. Enter into agreements with the Federal Government and other agencies and organizations as will promote the objectives of this chapter; and

C. Accept funds from the Federal Government or from any individual, foundation or corporation and expend these funds for purposes consistent with this chapter.

Sec. 3. Construction. Nothing in this Act or in the establishment of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 310-A may be construed to restrict, limit or alter any policy or planning authority conferred by law to any state department or agency, director of a state department or agency, instrumentality of the State, regional planning agency or municipality, except as provided in this chapter.

Sec. 4. Maine Revised Statutes amended; revision clause. Wherever in the Maine Revised Statutes the words "Governor's Office of Policy and Management" appear or reference is made to that entity or those words, those words are amended to read or mean, as appropriate, "Office of Policy Innovation and the Future" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.

summary

This bill eliminates the Governor’s Office of Policy and Management and establishes the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to support the creation of a coherent system of policy planning and coordinated implementation as one function and responsibility of the executive branch of State Government, serve as a research, advisory, consultative, coordinating and administrative agency and advance policies that support a sustainable future for Maine's people, communities, natural resources, physical infrastructure, industries, businesses and institutions.

HP1301 LD 1830	Session - 129th Maine Legislature		LR 2541 Item 1
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