CHAPTER 51
H.P. 1035 - L.D. 1452
An Act to Establish the Task Force to Study Equal Economic Opportunity for All Regions of the State
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. Task Force to Study Equal Economic Opportunity for all Regions of the State; established. The Task Force to Study Equal Economic Opportunity for all Regions of the State is established and referred to in this Act as the "task force."
1. Membership. The task force consists of 14 members appointed as follows:
A. Five members of the Legislature, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in consultation with the Chairs of the Joint Standing Committee on Business and Economic Development;
B. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or a designee empowered to act on the behalf of the commissioner;
C. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or a designee empowered to act on the behalf of the commissioner;
D. The Director of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission or a designee empowered to act on the behalf of the director;
E. Three members from regional development agencies located in northern, western and eastern counties of the State; and
F. Three members of the public.
The task force may create working groups with representatives from interested parties and members of the task force to assist in its work. Regional development agencies members and public members of the task force must be appointed by the chair.
2. Appointments. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this Act, with the exception of the regional development agency members and public members. The regional agency members and public members must be appointed by the chair of the task force by the task force's 2nd meeting. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council upon making their appointments. When the appointment of all members is complete, the Chair of the Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force no later than October 15, 1997. The task force shall select a chair from among its legislative members. Task force meetings must be held in various regions of the State, with emphasis on holding meetings in the areas most affected by lack of economic development. The task force may not hold meetings during the Second Regular Session of the 118th Legislature.
3. Duties. The task force shall:
A. Study the causes of unequal economic growth in regions of the State and recommend strategies to overcome barriers to economic growth in affected regions of the State, including but not limited to Aroostook, Franklin, Oxford, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Somerset, Waldo, Hancock and Washington counties;
B. Identify strategies to provide fair and equitable standards for development and construction in all areas of the State;
C. Examine laws and regulations governing economic development and recommend policies and actions that will enhance economic development statewide; and
D. Request necessary data from either public or private entities that relate to the needs of the task force.
4. Staff assistance. The task force shall request staffing and clerical assistance from the Legislative Council.
5. Meetings. The task force may meet up to 4 times.
6. Reimbursement. The task force members who are Legislators are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, for each day of attendance at meetings of the task force and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses upon application to the Legislative Council. All other members are not entitled to compensation for their participation on the task force. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall administer the task force's budget.
7. Report. The task force shall submit a report with any accompanying legislation to the Governor, the Legislative Council and the Joint Standing Committee on Business and Economic Development to the Second Regular Session of the 118th Legislature by January 1, 1998.
Sec. 2. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
1997-98
LEGISLATURE
Task Force to Study Equal Economic Opportunity for all Regions of the State
Personal Services $1,100
All Other 1,500
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and miscellaneous costs of the Task Force to Study Equal Economic Opportunity for all Regions of the State.
LEGISLATURE __________
TOTAL $2,600
Effective September 19,1997.
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