CHAPTER 50
H.P. 725 - L.D. 945
Resolve, to Establish a Task Force to Examine the Establishment and Implementation of State Standards for Indoor Air Quality in Maine Schools
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this resolve establishes the Task Force to Examine the Establishment and Implementation of State Standards for Indoor Air Quality in Maine Schools; and
Whereas, this resolve is necessary as an emergency measure to afford adequate time for the issues to be appropriately addressed by the task force; 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. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force to Examine the Establishment and Implementation of State Standards for Indoor Air Quality in Maine Schools, referred to in this resolve as the "task force," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 4 members appointed as follows:
1. One representative of the Department of Education, appointed by the Commissioner of Education, with knowledge of the State's laws and rules related to the construction and renovation of school facilities;
2. One representative of the Bureau of General Services within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, appointed by the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services, with knowledge of the State's laws and rules related to the construction and renovation of school facilities;
3. One representative of the Bureau of Air Quality within the Department of Environmental Protection, appointed by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, with knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, standards and guidelines related to indoor air quality in public facilities; and
4. One representative of the Bureau of Health within the Department of Human Services, appointed by the Commissioner of Human Services, with knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, standards and guidelines related to indoor air quality in public facilities; and be it further
Sec. 3. Chair. Resolved: That the Governor shall appoint the chair of the task force from among the members; and be it further
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Governor once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the chair shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force; and be it further
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall examine the following issues concerning the establishment and implementation of indoor air quality standards for school facilities:
1. The current status of indoor air quality standards or guidelines for school facilities within the state systems for inspecting and approving the construction or renovation of school facilities, including the building standards codes and other applicable laws and rules;
2. The indoor air quality guidelines for the design and construction of schools established by the Indoor Environments Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency;
3. The best practices and guidelines for promoting indoor air quality in schools recommended by the Task Force on School Air Quality and endorsed by the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council;
4. The relationship between existing staffing levels in state agencies and the ability to regulate the construction, renovation and maintenance of school facilities to provide healthy and productive learning environments, including the capacity of state agencies to inspect and determine the extent to which existing and new school facilities meet existing or proposed indoor air quality standards for school facilities;
5. The advisability of establishing indoor air quality standards for school facilities within the State or adopting the indoor air quality guidelines for the design and construction of schools established by the Indoor Environments Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, including the roles and responsibilities of state agencies and local education agencies in implementing and enforcing state standards and the possible benefits and detriments for students and education personnel in school facilities; and
6. If appropriate, recommendations for an implementation plan, including the levels of funding and personnel necessary, to provide adequate state oversight so that indoor air quality standards for school facilities may be enforced; and be it further
Sec. 6. Public hearings. Resolved: That, in examining these issues, the task force may hold public hearings to receive comments and collect data from the public; and be it further
Sec. 7. Staff assistance; technical assistance. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Governor, the Department of Education shall provide staff services to the task force. The task force may also seek technical assistance from members of the Task Force on School Air Quality, the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council or any other agency, institution or group that it determines appropriate to support the work of the task force; and be it further
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and the Legislative Council by November 15, 2001. The task force is not authorized to introduce legislation. Following receipt and review of the report, the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature. If the task force requires an extension of time to complete its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.
Effective June 8, 2001.
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