An Act To Establish the Maine Science Advisory Board
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1102
Committee Amendment CA_A_S237 (Senate)
Amends: 10 MRSA §949

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A " to S.P. 413, L.D. 1102, Bill, "An Act To 
Establish the Maine Science Advisory Board" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Amend the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §949, sub-§I, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 420, §7, is amended 
to read: 
1. Establishment; management. The Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board, 
referred to in this chapter as "the advisory board" and established by Title 5, section 
12004-1, subsection 6-G, is established to coordinate the State's research and development 
activities and to foster collaboration among its higher education and nonprofit research 
institutions and members of the business community and to render scientific assessment, 
risk-based analysis and consensus advice upon questions of science posed by the 
Governor or any joint standing committee of the Legislature with questions on science 
related to proposed legislation. The advisory board is managed by the State Science 
Advisor as appointed pursuant to Title 5, section 13105. 
Sec. 2. 10 MRSA §949, sub-§U, CUC is enacted to read: 
C. The advisory board shall review and summarize scientific studies related to issues 
or questions raised by the Governor or any joint standin'g committee of the 
Legislature related to proposed legislation in a manner that is timely, objective, 
transparent and easily understood. Findings and recommendations must represent the 
prevailing weight of scientific evidence on a given issue or question and, if consensus 
is not achieved, the board may issue minority reports. The board must include a 
public comment period prior to a finding. The board may include expertise from 
other qualified experts as needed. If a member has a conflict of interest in a matter 
before the advisory board, that member must be recused from any discussion of that 
issue.' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITfEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 413, L.D. 1102 
SUMMARY 
The amendment, which is the minority report of the committee, replaces the bill. It 
requires the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board to render scientific assessment 
on questions of science posed by the Governor or any joint standing committee of the 
Legislature with a question related to proposed legislation rather than establishing the 
Maine Science Advisory Board. The Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board would 
review and summarize scientific studies related to questions, may include outside experts 
and must include a public comment period before issuing a finding. A member with a 
conflict of interest in a matter before the advisory board must be recused from any 
discussion of the subject. 
F[SeAL ~OTE REQtlRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: OS/25/09 
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LD 1102 
LR 1086(02) 
An Act To Establish the Maine Science Advisory Board 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" 
Committee: State and Local Government 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board to conduct the required review can be absorbed 
within existing budgeted resources. 
LR1086(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1