JOINT STUDY ORDER ESTABLISHING THE COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE LOSS OF COMMERCIAL FISHING WATERFRONT ACCESS AND OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AFFECTING COMMERCIAL FISHING
WHEREAS, it is necessary and vital to the people of the State that Maine's fishing heritage be preserved; and
WHEREAS, this order convenes a committee to study waterfront access and other policies concerning the commercial fishing industry; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature would benefit from a study of issues and recommendations regarding loss of waterfront access for commercial fishing and economic development issues affecting commercial fishing; now, therefore, be it
ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Committee to Study the Loss of Commercial Fishing Waterfront Access and Other Economic Development Issues Affecting Commercial Fishing is established as follows.
1. Committee established. The Committee to Study the Loss of Commercial Fishing Waterfront Access and Other Economic Development Issues Affecting Commercial Fishing, referred to in this order as the "committee," is established.
2. Committee membership. The committee consists of 10 members appointed as follows:
A. One Senator appointed by the President of the Senate;
B. Three members of the House of Representatives, at least one of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
C. Two members representing the fishing industry, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
D. Two members of the general public, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives must be a representative of municipal government; and
E. The Governor is invited to appoint 2 members representing state agencies that regulate the fishing industry.
3. Chairs. The first named Senator is the Senate chair of the committee and the first named member of the House is the House chair of the committee.
4. Appointments; meetings. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following passage of this order. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once the appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the committee shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee no later than August 15, 2001.
5. Duties. The committee shall review current policy regarding the State's fishing industry and make recommendations to preserve the fishing industry. Specifically, the committee shall address the following issues:
A. Waterfront access for commercial fisheries, including zoning restrictions, municipal comprehensive plans, current-use taxation, smart growth and set asides; and
B. Economic development, including incentives and disincentives, taxation policies, promotion and marketing issues, financing and workforce development.
6. Staffing. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide staffing services to the committee. The Department of Marine Resources and the Executive Department, State Planning Office shall provide information and assistance as requested by the chairs of the committee.
7. Compensation. Members of the committee who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings of the committee. Other members of the committee who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings.
8. Report. The committee shall submit its report, together with any recommended implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources no later than December 5, 2001. The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources may report out a bill during the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature concerning the findings and recommendations of the committee. If the committee requires a limited extension of time to complete its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension.
9. Committee budget. The chairs of the committee, with assistance from the committee staff, shall administer the committee's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the committee shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The committee may not incur expenses that would result in the committee's exceeding its approved budget.
Upon request from the committee, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council or the executive director's designee shall promptly provide the committee chairs and staff with a status report on the committee's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.
Passed by the House of Representatives June 20, 2001 and the Senate June 21, 2001.
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