An Act To Abolish the State Board of Education
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1297
Committee Amendment CA_A_H478 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "P" to H.P. 900, L.D. 1297, BilI, "An Act To 
Abolish the State Board of Education" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Review Changing the Duties of the State Board of Education' 
Amend the bilI by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the folIowing: 
'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 State Board of Education was established in 1949 as an advisory 
board to the Commissioner of Education; and 
Whereas, the roles and responsibilities of the State Board of Education have since 
been expanded in numerous ways that have expanded its mission beyond its original 
advisory role to the point where the mission of the current State Board of Education 
includes developing education policy and advocating for education policies; and 
Whereas, it is essential to review the operations of the State Board of Education in 
order to ensure that the policymaking roles and responsibilities of the executive and 
legislative branches of State Government are properly aligned and balanced; 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. Review of duties of State Board of Education. Resolved: That the 
Commissioner of Education shall convene a stakeholder group to review the duties 
currently assigned to the State Board of Education, referred to as "the state board" in this 
resolve, and develop recommendations to change, as necessary, the role of the state board 
in order to align its responsibilities as an advisory board with current statutes and rules. 
The stakeholder group review must consider provisions in the Maine Revised Statutes, 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 900, L.D, 1297 
Title 20-A, chapter 5 and any other provisions in Title 20-A and other statutes and rules 
where the state board is referenced; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Stal<eholder group. Resolved: That the stakeholder group must include 
representatives of educational organizations, including but not limited to the Maine 
School Superintendents Association, the Maine School Boards Association, the Maine 
Education Association, the Maine Principals' Association, the Maine Administrators of 
Services for Children with Disabilities, the Department of Education, the state board and 
no more than 2 members of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural 
Affairs; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the stakeholder group shall prepare and submit a 
report, including its findings and recommendations developed pursuant to section 1, to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 1, 2009. 
The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may introduce 
legislation, as appropriate, to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve to establish a stakeholder group to 
review the role of the State Board of Education and submit a report and recommendations 
to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 1,2009. 
The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may introduce 
legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. The amendment also 
changes the bill title and incorporates an emergency preamble and an emergency clause. 
FISCAL .\OTE REQLll~En 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Legislative Cost/Study 
Approved: OS/28/09 
Ma~ 
LD 1297 
LR 1841(02) 
An Act To Abolish the State Board of Education 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'ff' 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
The estimated expenditures for the 2 Legislators serving on the stakeholder group in this bill are $840 in fiscal year 
2009-10. The Legislature's proposed budget includes $10,000 in fiscal y~ar 2009-10 for legislative studies. Whether 
the amount is sufficient to fund all studies will depend on the number of studies authorized by the Legislative Council 
and the Legislature. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the Department of Education to convene the stakeholders group, to conduct the required review 
and submit the required report can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. Additional costs to the State 
Board of Education to participate in the stakeholders group can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR1841 (02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1