Resolve, To Implement Select Recommendations of the Joint Select Committee on Future Maine Prosperity
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1413
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: COHEN, DAMON, PIOTTI, SMITH, COURTNEY, PLOWMAN, RECTOR, SCHNEIDER

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124th MAINE LEGIS 
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ATURE 
FIRST REGULAR SESSIO~.J-2009 
Legislative Docu ment 
No. 1413 
H.P.989 
House ofRepresentativ~s, April 7,2009 
Resolve, To Implement Select Recommendations of the Joint Select 
Committee on Future Maine Prosperity 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development suggested 
and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative COHEN ofPOliland. 
Cosponsored by Senator DAMON of Hancock and 
71dtwyd; 1J7.11lil£;;-f~Y14{ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Cierk 
Representatives: .GILES of Belfast, HUNT ofBuxton,PIOTTI of Unity, SMITH of 
Monmouth, Senators: COURTNEY of York, PLOWMAN of Penobscot, RECTOR of Kno.x, 
SCHNEIDER of Penobscot. 
Primed llll rt:cyded papl:f 
Emergency preamble., Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas,the Joint Select ConIDlittee on Future Maine Prosperity issued its final 
report in January 2008; and 
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Whereas, the committee's repOli recommended a wide variety of strategies and 
actions designed to improve the State's economy and support greater 'prosperity for all 
citizens of the State; and 
Whereas, the committee's report specifically called for an improved business 
climate in the State; and 
Whereas, the committee's report acknowledged that it was critical that state 
agencies work to' improve' relationships with the business community and eliminate 
adversarial relationships; and 
Whereas, the committee's report specifically recommended that the Governor direct 
all state agencies to reinvent themselves and how they interact with businesses in the 
State in order to provide a consistent, efficient and effective regulatory envirOlIDlellt; and 
Whereas, the committee's report called for regulatory reform that achieves goals in 
a manner that minimizes unnecessary and unproductive conflicts and n:dundancies for the 
regulated community; and 
Whereas, this resolve needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period 
in order for the report required in this legislation to be completed in a timely fashion; 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. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission To Improve 
the Business Climate, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and 
be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 8 members appointed as follows: 
.. One Senator appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
3. The'chairs of the Joint Standing Committee on Business, Resea:rch and Economic 
Development; and 
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4. 
Four members from state agencies that regulate the business community, 
including one member from the Depmiment of Professional and Financial Regulation and 
one member from the Department of Economic and Comnlunity Development, appointed 
by the Govemor; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the chairs of the Joint Standing Committee on 
Business, Research and Economic Development are the chairs of the commission; and be 
it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of COmmISSIOn. 
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 Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission, 
which must be no later than 30 days after the appointments; and be it further 
Sec .. 5. 
Duties. 
Resolved: 
That the COll11mSslOn' shall study all aspects of 
advancing the State's business climate through improving the efficiency, effectiveness 
and consistency of the State's regulatory systems, as well as improving the relationships 
between regulators and the regulated cOll11llunity; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than January 1, 2010, the commissiqn 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. The 
Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development is 
authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 124th Legislature upon receipt of the report. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the COll11nission To Improve the Business Climate in order to 
study all aspects of advancing the State's business climate through improving the 
efficiency, effectiveness and consistency of the State's regulatory systems, as well as . 
improving the relationships between regulators and the regulated community 
. The commission is required to subinit a report that includes its. findings and 
recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular 
Session of the 124th Legislature. The Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research 
and Economic Development is authorized to introduce a bill reIated to the subject matter 
of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.