An Act To Create State and Regional Quality of Place Investment Strategies for High-value Jobs, Products and Services in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1389
Senate Amendment SA_A_S306 (Senate)
Amends: 5 MRSA §3331

SENATE AMENDMENT" A " to S.P. 505, L.D. 1389, Bill, "An Act To Create 
State and Regional Quality of Place Investment Strategies for High-value Jobs, Products 
and Services in Maine" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'PART A 
Sec. A-I. 5 MRS A c. 311-A is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 311-A 
MAINE QUALITY OF PLACE INVESTMENT STRATEGY 
§3308. Definitions 
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings. 
1. Asset-based investment strategy. "Asset-based investment strategy" means a 
plan of action that builds on exceptional and marketable local and regional strengths, 
resources and advantages to create new high-value jobs, products and services. 
2. Council. "Council" means the Land and Water Resources Council established 
under section 3331. 
3. 
Regional quality of place investment strategy. "Regional quality of place 
investment strategy" means an asset-based investment strategy that builds upon local and 
regional place-based assets through the means set forth in subsection 4 and toward the 
goals set forth in section 3331, subsection 9, paragraph B. 
4. State quality of place investment strategy. "State quality of place investment 
strategy" means an asset-based investment strategy that builds upon the State's place-
1 
based assets through the following means: 
A. 
Protecting the landscape, including working landscapes, and enhancing the 
economy of farms, forests and working waterfronts; 
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SENATE AMENDMENT"ff" to S.P. 505, L.D. 1389 
B. Revitalizing downtowns; 
C. Preserving historic assets; 
D. Supporting the arts, culture and creative economy; 
E. Supporting the economy based on natural resources, including farming, fishing, 
forestry, nature and heritage-based tourism and outdoor recreation and leisure, 
including motorized and nonmotorized activities; 
. 
F. Providing access to outdoor recreation and leisure over public and private lands; 
and 
G. Leveraging the existing skills and knowledge of the state workforce that relate to 
quality of place, including but not limited to those of workers in fishing, farming, 
forestry, tourism and recreation, and increasing both the number of jobs and the 
wages of this workforce. 
§3308-A. Maine Quality of Place Investment Fund 
1. Fund established; purpose. The Maine Quality of Place Investment Fund, 
referred to in this section as "the fund," is established to encourage and support job 
creation, stimulate the development of new products and services, enhance regional 
incomes and public revenues and allow Maine to use its distinctive, place-based assets to 
compete in a national and global economy. 
2. Fund; administration. The fund is administered by the council. The fund 
consists of any federal funds and funds received as contributions from private sources for 
the purposes set forth in subsection 1. The fund must be held separate and apart from all 
other money, funds and accounts. Eligible investment earnings credited to the assets of 
the fund become part of the assets of the fund. Any balance remaining in the fund at the 
end of any fiscal year must be carried forward for the next fiscal year. 
3. Fund available. Upon authorization of the council, for the purposes identified in 
subseCtion 4, the fund is available to regional planning and development districts 
described in Title 30-A, section 2343 and to any other applicant when the application is 
submitted as part of a regional quality· of place investment strategy as described in this 
chapter and Title 30-A, section 2343. 
4. Fund proceeds. The proceeds of the fund may be applied and expended to 
develop and implement regional quality of place investment strategies as described in 
Title 30-A, section 2343 as follows: 
A, To implement a regional quality of place investment strategy that builds upon 
efforts under paragraphs Band C. Implementation grants may be made to regional 
agencies, local and county governments, federally recognized tribes and public, 
private and nonprofit organizations for projects submitted in accordance with an 
approved regional quality of place investment strategy; 
B. 
To inventory marketable regional quality of place natural and built assets, 
including distinctive and exceptional: 
(1) Natural resources, landscape, downtown, historical and cultural assets; and 
(2) Recreational, educational, transportation and renewable energy assets; and 
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SENATE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 505, L.D. 1389 
C. To create a regional quality of place investment strategy by: 
(1) Identifying sustainable market opportunities that build upon a region's quality 
of place assets identified under paragraph B; 
(2) Developing an investment plan and initiatives to realize these identified 
market opportunities; 
(3) Setting priorities among the investment plan's recommended quality of place 
investments and initiatives; 
(4) Taking advantage of available private, philanthropic and public sources of 
funding for the investments and initiatives; and 
(5) Creating a plan to achieve full implementation, monitoring and measurement 
of the results of the strategy. 
5. 
Request for proposals. 
When directed by the council, the Department of 
Economic and Community Development and the Executive Department, State Planning 
Office shall issue a request for proposals in accordance with the Department of 
Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services' rules governing the 
purchase of services and awarding of grants. A request for proposals must include the 
schedules for submission and action on applications for grants under this chapter, 
procedures for scoring and ranking those applications and procedures and information 
requirements related to application submissions. The State Planning Office shall provide 
reasonable notice to all eligible applicants about the availability of the fund and the 
solicitation of grant proposals. 
Prior to issuing a request for proposals, the Executive Department, State Planning Office 
shall consult with the council to develop criteria for inclusion in the request for proposals. 
§3308-B. Other state funds 
1. Quality of place investment. With the assistance of the Department of Economic 
and Community Development and the Executive Department, State Planning Office, the 
council shall consult with state agencies to develop an inventory of state grant programs 
that relate to the state quality of place investment strategies. 
2. 
Implement quality of place investment strategies. 
The Department of 
Economic and Community Development and the Executive Department, State Planning 
Office shall consult with relevant state agencies to evaluate grant programs and develop 
preference points for grant applications that implement quality of place investment 
strategies and, where necessary, make recommendations to the council on statutory 
changes to grant criteria to support regional quality of place investment strategies. 
3. Preference points. In accordance with guidelines developed by the Department 
of Economic and Community Development and the Executive Department, State 
Planning Office, and where allowed by state and federal requirements, preference points 
must be given to grant applications for state program funding when the application is 
submitted as part of a regional quality of place investment strategy as described in this 
chapter and Title 30-A, section 2343. Except as provided in this section, nothing iIi this 
chapter is intended to change the criteria for eligibility and award of funds for state 
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SENATE AMENDMENT" A " 
to S.P. 50S, L.D. 1389 
programs. 
The council's report under section 3331, subsection 9 must include a 
description of the state grant programs to which preference points apply. 
Sec. A-2. 5 MRSA §3331, sub-§l, as amended by PL 1995, c. 688, §3 and PL 
2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §7, is further amended to read: 
1. 
Council established; membership. 
In order to facilitate more effective 
interagency coordination of the State's activities regarding natural resource and land use 
management and the State's quality of place, the Land and Water Resources Council, 
referred to in this chapter as the "council," is established. The chair of the council is 
appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor from among and by council 
members. The membership of the council is as follows: 
A. 
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources or the 
commissioner's designee; 
B. The Commissioner of Conservation or the commissioner's designee; 
. C. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the commissioner's designee; 
D. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services; 
E. 
The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or the commissioner's 
designee; 
F. The Commissioner of Marine Resources or the commissioner's designee; 
G. The Commissioner of Transportation; 
H. 
The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the 
commissioner's designee; ami 
I. The Director of the State Planning Office.,..;. 
1. The Commissioner of Labor; and 
K. The Commissioner of Education. 
Sec. A-3. 5 MRSA §3331, sub-§2, ~A-l is enacted to read: 
A-I. Recommend coordinated state and regional policy regarding the State's quality 
of place to achieve environmental, economic and social goals pursuant to chapter 
311-A and subsection 9. 
Sec. A-4. 5 MRSA §3331, sub-§9 is enacted to read: 
9. 
Quality of place responsibilities. 
The council shall facilitate effective 
interagency coordination of state and regional activities regarding the State's quality of 
place as set out in chapter 311-A. The council shall meet at least 4 times each year to 
fulfill its responsibilities under this subsection. The chair shall call the meetings of the 
council and establish its agenda. The council has the following responsibilities: 
A. The council shall form the Quality of Place Advisory Committee to advise the 
council that includes the chair of the Maine State Cultural Affairs Council, the 
president of the Maine Development Foundation or the chair of the Maine Economic 
Growth Council, the Director of the Maine State Housing Authority, the Chancellor 
of the University of Maine System, the President of the Maine Community College 
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SENATE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 505, L.D. 1389 
System, representatives of the State's regional planning and development districts 
designated under Title 3D-A, section 2341 and a private citizen with knowledge of 
and commitment to protecting, enhancing and building upon the State's natural, 
historic, cultural, recreational and downtown assets. The council chair shall request 
that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives each 
appoint a Legislator with a demonstrated interest in economic development to serve 
as a member of the Quality of Place Advisory Committee. The council may use 
subcommittees to carry out its responsibilities under this subsection. 
B. The council shall report to the Governor and seek input from and report to the 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business, 
research and economic development matters prior to December 31st of each year. In 
its report, the council shall describe whether and how the state quality of place 
investment strategy and regional quality of place investment strategies set out in 
chapter 311-A have achieved the following goals: 
(1) To create new, high-value jobs, products and services in the State that will 
succeed in national and global markets to the economic benefit of local, regional 
and state residents; 
(2) To make. the State's several regions more economically competitive and 
prosperous through increased investment, job opportunities, regional incomes and 
public revenues; and 
(3) To preserve, enhance and market the State's quality of place assets, both 
natural and manufactured, as economic drivers. 
In its report to the Legislature and in consultation with affected ag~ncies, the council 
shall recommend, including any necessary statutory changes, how to align state 
agency rules, programs and funding with a state quality of place investment strategy. 
The council shall recommend initiatives to ensure that capital investment and 
program funding are aligned across all state agencies, levels of government and 
economic sectors to advance a state quality of place investment strategy, principally 
through support of regional quality of place investment strategies. 
The council's report must include an inventory of quality of place-related state grant 
programs with findings on how preference points may be given to grant proposals 
that implement quality of place investment strategies, and any recommendations for 
amending statutory grant criteria to support regional quality of place investment 
strategies. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
business, research and economic development matters may submit legislation related 
to the recommendations in the council's reports. 
C. The council shall assess: 
(1) The alignment of regional quality of place investment strategies developed 
under Title 3D-A, section 2343 with a state quality of place investment strategy; 
(2) The coordination among state, regional and local agencies and governments, 
as well as with the private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors involved in 
creation of an effective state quality of place investment strategy; and 
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SENATE AMENDMENT "k" to S.P. 505, L.D. 1389 
(3) 
The alignment of quality of place strategies with other state economic 
development strategies and long-term economic plans. 
D. The council shall administer any funds appropriated, allocated or donated under 
section 3308-A. The council's report under paragraph B must include a description of 
the distribution of any funds under that section. 
E. The council shall develop standard and effective performance measures to assess 
the success of a state quality of place investment strategy and regional quality of 
place investment strategies in terms of the goals set forth in paragraph B. 
PAR.TB 
Sec. B-lI.. 30-A MR.SA §2343 is enacted to read: 
§2343. Regional quality of place investment strategies 
In order to qualify for funds from the Maine Quality of Place Investment Fund 
established in Title 5, section 3308-A or to be eligible for other state funds' preference 
points pursuant to section 3308-B, regional planning and development districts 
designated under section 2341 and having a comprehensive economic development 
strategy under 42 United States Code, Section 3162 shall inventory regional quality of 
place assets as described in subsection 1 and create a regional quality of place investment 
strategy as described in Title 5, chapter 311-A. In executing this inventory and strategy 
creation, a regional planning and development district shall actively engage and involve 
leading representatives of natural resource-based business, tourism, recreation, land 
conservation, arts and culture, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, municipal, 
transportation and workforce development interests within the region. A regional quality 
of place investment strategy must identify: 
1. Assets. The region's distinctive and exceptional quality of place natural and built 
assets including natural resource, landscape, downtown, historical and cultural assets; 
distinct and exceptional recreational, educational and transportation assets; and related 
workforce development assets; 
2. 
Market opportunities. 
Sustainable market opportunities that build upon a 
region's quality of place assets, including but not limited to investment in new sustainable 
agricultural, fisheries or forest products; investment in sustainable businesses that build 
on existing workforce skills and existing natiJral or built assets; redevelopment of historic 
and cultural assets; investments that preserve and enhance downtowns, coastline, islands 
or undeveloped lands; and investments that may increase recreational opportunities or 
tourism activity; 
3. Investments. An investment plan and initiatives to realize identified market 
opportunities; 
4. 
Priorities. 
Priorities among the region's recommended quality of place 
investments and initiatives; 
5. Other support. Opportunities and approaches for leveraging other public and 
private development activities and funds to support the requirements of this section; and 
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SENATE AMENDMENT 'vt" to S.P. 505, L.D. 1389 
6. 
Implementation. 
A plan to achieve full implementation, monitoring and 
measurement of the results of the strategy. 
PARTe 
Sec. C-l. 5 MRS A §3307-G is enacted to read: 
§3307-G. Support for Land and Water Resources Council for quality of place 
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings. 
A. "Asset-based investment strategy" has the meaning set forth in section 3308. 
B. 
"Council" means the Land and Water Resources Council established under 
section 3331. 
C. 
"Regional quality of place investment strategy" has the meaning set forth in 
section 3308. 
D. "State quality of place investment strategy" has the meaning set forth in section 
3308. 
2. Support. To support the work of the council under section 3331, subsection 9, 
the office shall: 
A. Provide staff assistance to the council as assigned by the director; 
B. 
In consultation with the council, develop and publish educational materials 
elaborating the state quality of place investment strategy and the goals set forth in 
section 3331, subsection 9, paragraph B and publish educational materials regarding 
asset-based investment strategies and quality of place assets; 
C. In consultation with the council and affected agencies, develop tools, surveys and 
guides to help state agencies align their rules, programs and funding with a state 
quality of place investment strategy; help assess alignment of regional quality of 
place investment strategies developed under Title 30-A. section 2343 with a state 
quality of place investment strategy; and create standard and effective performance 
measures to assess the success of a state quality of place investment strategy and 
regional quality of place investment strategies; 
D. Develop and publish guides and best practices under Title 30-A, section 2343 for 
designated regional planning and development districts for the inventory of regional 
quality of place assets and creation of regional quality of place investment strategies 
required under Title 30-A, section 2343; 
E. 
Create and maintain an inventory of state grant programs that might support 
implementation of regional quality of place investment strategies developed under 
Title 30-A. section 2343; and 
F. In consultation with the council, develop and publish criteria for grants under the 
Maine Quality of Place Investment Fund established in section 3308-A. The criteria 
must give preference to projects identified as priorities in the regional quality of place 
investment strategies developed under Title 30-A, section 2343. 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
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SENATE AMENDMENT "A "to S.P. 505, L.D. 1389 
PARTD 
Sec. D-l. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT 
Planning Office 0082 
Initiative: Provides a base allocation for the Maine Quality of Place Investment Fund in 
the event funds are received. 
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND 
All Other 
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT 
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
. 22 
DEP ARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS 
SUMMARY 
This amendment: 
2009-10 
$500 
$500 
2009-10 
$500 
$500 
2009-10 
$500 
$500 
$1,000 
2010-11 
$500 
$500 
2010-11 
$500 
$500 
2010-11 
$500 
$500 
$1,000 
1. Adds language that includes traditional industries and jobs as part of quality of 
place; 
2. Assigns responsibility for overseeing quality of place investment activities to the 
Land and Water Resources Council; 
3. Adds the Department of Labor and the Department of Education to the council; 
4. 
Adds the Quality of Place Advisory Committee to advise the council on all 
decisions; 
5. Limits the Maine Quality of Place Investment Fund to federal funds or funds from 
private sources; 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
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SENATE AMENDMENT "A. "to S.P. 505, L.D. 1389 
6. Enhances the role of the Department of Economic and Community Development 
in developing guidelines and recommendations for state grant funds; 
7. Changes reporting by the council from a biennial to an annual report to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development; 
8. Cla,rifies that an inventory and findings on grant preference points and statutory 
recommendations on grant eligibility are part of the annual report of the council to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development; 
9. 
Provides the Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic 
Development with authority to report out bills related to the council's reporting; 
10. Clarifies that the process for determining preference points for grant applications 
that implement regional quality of place investment strategies will be transparent and will 
not supersede existing state or federal statutes; 
11. 
Adds language that clears away any possible mandate for the Economic 
Development Districts; 
12. Eliminates from the bill the Maine Quality of Place Prosperity Award; 
13. Adds language that describes quality of place investments to include investment 
in new sustainable agricultural, fisheries or forest products; investment in sustainable 
businesses that build on existing workforce skills and natural or built assets; 
redevelopment of historic and cultural assets; investments that preserve and enhance 
downtowns, coastline, islands or undeveloped lands; and investments that may increase 
recreational opportunities and tourism activity; 
14. Changes reference to tribes to read "federally recognized tribes"; and 
15. Adds an appropriations and allocations section. 
SPONSORED BY: 
0~ALNOTE 
MQOOUD, 
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(Senator DAMON) 
COUNTY: Hancock 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 06/04/09 
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LD 1389 
LR 707(04) 
An Act To Create State and RegiOllDal Quality of Place Investment Strategies for High-value Jobs, 
Products and Services in Maine 
Fiscal Note for Senate Amendment 'A" 
Sponsor: Sen. Damon of Hancock 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Projections 
Projections 
2009-10 
2010-11 
2011-12 
2012-13 
Appropriations/Allocations 
Federal Expenditures Fund 
$500 
$500 
$500 
$501-
Other Special Revenue Funds 
$500 
$500 
$500 
$500 
Legislative Cost/Study 
This amendment includes 2 Legislators on the Quality of Place Advisory Committee. The costs associated with the 
per diem and expenses for these Legislators are projected to be $840 annually beginning in fiscal year 2009-10. The 
Legislature's budget includes $10,000 annually in fiscal year 2009-10 and in fiscal year 2010-11 for legislative studies. 
Whether the amounts are sufficient to fund all studies will depend on the number of studies authorized by the 
Legislative Council and the Legislature. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
This amendment creates the Maine Quality of Place Investment Fund established to receive federal or private funds to 
encourage and support job creation, stimulate the development of new products and services, enhance regional 
incomes and public revenues and allow Maine to compete in a national and global economy. Ongoing base allocations 
of $500 in Other Special Revenue Funds and $500 in the Federal Expenditures Fund have been established to receive 
any monies. 
Additional costs to the Department of Economic and Community Development and the State Planning Office to work 
jointly on issuing the request for proposals, developing the required inventory of state grant programs, conducting the 
required evaluations and developing the required guidelines can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
.... 
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Additional costs to the State Planning Office to provide staff assistance, other administrative duties and to work witt 
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the Natural and Economic Resources Council can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources," 
LR0707(04) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of2 
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Additional costs to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Education and the Department of 
Labor to serve on the council can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
Additional costs to the Maine Cultural Affairs Council, the Maine Development Foundation, the Maine State Housing 
Authority, the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System to serve on the advisory 
committee can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0707(04) - Fiscal Note - Page 2 of2