An Act To Clarify Exemptions in the Milk Handling Fee
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1788
Committee Amendment CA_A_H737 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "f}" to H.P. 1276, L.D. 1788, Bill, "An Act To 
Clarify Exemptions in the Milk Handling Fee" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Ruml Resources To 
Examine the Collection of the MiII{ Handling Fee on Paclmged Milk for Out-of-state 
Sales' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inseliing the following: 
'Sec. 1. 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to 
examine the mill{ handling fee and its impact on out-of-state sales. Resolved: 
That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall convene a group 
of stakeholders to examine the collection of the milk handling fee, occurrences of the fee 
being paid on Maine milk packaged and transported for retail sale out of state and any 
adverse impact of the handling fee on out-of-state sales of Maine milk. 
The 
commissioner shall repOJi the findings and recommendations of the stakeholder group to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than 
October 29, 2010; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Interim meeting; report to the First Regular Session of the 125th 
Legislature. 
Resolved: That, upon receiving the report of the Commissioner of 
Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources under section I, the Joint Standing Committee qn 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall discuss the repOJi at an authorized interim 
meeting of the committee and develop recommendations and any legislation necessary to 
implement the recommendations. 
Prior to December 1, 2010, the Joint Standing 
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall prepare a written summary of 
its recommendations including any draft legislation developed and provide for the 
distribution of the written materials to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over agricultural matters upon the convening of that committee in the 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "~ " to 1-I.P. 1276, L.D. 1788 
Sec. 3. Legislation authorized. Resolved: That the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters may submit a bill to the 
handling fee and barriers to increasing sales of Maine-produced milk in other states.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment changes the bill to a resolve. 
It directs the Commissioner of 
Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to convene a stakeholder group to examine the 
collection of the milk handling fee and possible impacts of the fee on the sale of milk 
produced in Maine and .destined for out-of-state retail markets. 
It requires the 
commissioner to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation 
II 
and Forestry no later than October 29, 2010 and directs the committee to discuss and 
develop recommendations during an authorized interim meeting of the committee. It 
authorizes the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
agricultural matters to submit a bill to the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature 
pertainirlg to the collection of the milk handling fee and barriers to increasing sales of 
Maine-produced milk in other states. 
FISCAL ;-';OTE REQL'IRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 03/15/10 Mac.. 
LD 1788 
LR 2533(02) 
An Act To Clarify Exemptions in the Milk Handling Fee 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,,~, 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the DepaJiment of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources associated with the stakeholder group 
convened to examine the collection of the milk handling fee can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR2S33(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I