Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources To Study Potential Uses of a Potato Plant That Is Toxic to the Colorado Potato Beetle
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0557
Committee Amendment CA_A_H275 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to H.P. 395, L.D. 557, "Resolve, Directing the 
Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources To Study Potential Uses of a 
Potato Plant That Is Toxic to the Colorado Potato Beetle" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the Study of a Potato Variety Demonstrating Resistance to the 
Colorado Potato Beetle' 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and before the summary 
and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 
Potato variety to be studied. Resolved: 
That the Maine Potato 
Breeding Program established at the University of Maine, referred to in this resolve as 
"the breeding program," shall determine the genetic integrity of the potato variety known 
as the "Shaw Potato." If the Director of the Maine Potato Breeding Program, referred to 
in this resolve as "the director," determines that the potato does not contain any 
proprietary material, the director shall work with the Maine Potato Board to develop a 
plan for the study of the Shaw Potato, its resistance to the Colorado potato beetle and its 
suitability for commercial production. 
Before beginning the shldy, the director, in cooperation with the Maine State Grange, 
shall obtain the plant material to be studied and the written approval of the developer of 
the potato variety to proceed with the study; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Funding. Resolved: That funding sources for the study include existing 
funds available to the breeding program from the Maine Potato Board, federal funding 
through the United States Department of Agriculture and grants; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the Maine Potato Board shall submit a copy of 
the study plan under section 1 and provide a progress report to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and to the Maine State Grange no 
later than December 15,2009.' 
Page I - 124LR1604(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"~" to H.P. 395, L.D. 557 
SUMMARY 
This amendment directs the study of the potato variety known as the "Shaw Potato" 
to be conducted by the University of Maine as part of the Maine Potato Breeding 
Program. It identifies sources of funding and requires the Maine Potato Board to report 
to the Maine State Grange in addition to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry by December 15,2009. 
FISCAL NOTE REQGlitED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 05/08/09 frac:.. 
LD557 
LR 1604(02) 
Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources To Study Potential Uses 
of a Potato Plant That Is Toxic to the Colorado Potato Beetle 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment"R" 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
The Maine Potato Breeding program within the University of Maine System has estimated the cost of the required 
study to be between $1,500 and $4,000 depending on whether or not problems are detected during the testing phase of 
the evaluation. The University of Maine System has indicated that the breeding program has sufficient funds available 
in its budget to absorb the costs of this evaluation. However, the ability of the breeding program to absorb the costs of 
any potential future studies or evaluations without impacting the existing duties of the program can not be determined 
at this time. 
Additional costs to the Maine Potato Board associated with participation in this study can be absorbed within existing 
budgeted resources. 
LR1604(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1