An Act To Require Legislative Consultation and Approval Prior to Committing the State to Binding International Trade Agreements
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1257
Committee Amendment CA_A_H457 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" 11" to H.P. 876, L.D. 1257, Bill, "An Act To 
Require Legislative Consultation and Approval Prior to Committing the State to Binding 
International Trade Agreements" 
Amend the bill in section 1 in § 13 in subsection 1 by striking out all of paragraph B 
(page 1, lines 8 to 15 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'8. 
"Trade agreement" means an agreement reached between the United States 
Government and any other country, countries or other international political entity or 
entities that proposes to regulate trade, procurement, services or investment among 
the parties to the agreement. "Trade agreement" includes, but is not limited to, any 
agreements under the auspices of the World Trade Organization, all regional free 
trade agreements, including the North American Free Trade Agreement and the 
Central America Free Trade Agreement and all bilateral agreements entered into by 
the United States, as well as requests for binding agreement received from the United 
States Trade Representative.' 
Amend the bill in section 1 in § 13 by striking out all of subsection 2 (page 1, lines 16 
to 20 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'2. 
State official prohibited from binding the State. 
If the United States 
Government provides the State with the opportunity to consent to or reject binding the 
. State to a trade agreement, or a provision within a trade agreement, then an official of the 
State, including but not limited to the Governor, may not bind the State or give consent to 
the United States Government to bind the State in those circumstances, except as 
provided in this section.' 
Amend the bill in section 1 in § 13 in subsection 3 in the 2nd line (page 1, line 22 in 
L.D.) by inserting after the following: "agreement" the following: 'provision' 
Amend the bill in section 1 in §I3 in subsection 3 in the 5th line (page 1, line 25 in 
L.D.) by inserting after the following: "Representatives" the following: " the Maine 
International Trade Center' 
Page I - 124LR1501(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~~l~ 
COMMITIEE AMENDMENT" A " 
to H.P. 876, L.D. 1257 
Amend the bill in section 1 in § 13 in subsection 4 in the first line (page 1, line 28 in 
L.D.) by inserting after the following: "commission" the following: " in consultation 
with the Maine International Trade Center,' 
Amend the bill in section 1· in § 13 in subsection 4 in the 3rd line (page 1, line 30 in 
L.D.) by inserting after the following: "including" the following: 'any necessary' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment broadens the definition of "trade agreement" and clarifies that the 
legislative approval of trade agreements may occur only when the United States 
Government provides the State with the opportunity to consent to or reject binding the 
State to a trade agreement or a provision within a trade agreement. It also requires the 
Governor to provide. the Maine International Trade Center with a copy of any 
communication concerning a trade agreement provision when it is received by the State, 
and it adds the requirement that the Citizen Trade Policy Commission consult with the 
Maine International Trade Center when it reviews and analyzes trade agreements. 
FISCAL :"iOTE l~EQrlREl} 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 05/25109 frac::.. 
LD 1257 
LR 1501(02) 
An Act To Require Legislative Consultation and Approval Prior to Committing the State to Binding 
International Trade Agreements 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '~II 
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Development 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Assuming that the review by the Citizen Trade Policy Commission required by this bill could occur within the existing 
number of budgeted meetings and the drafting of the report by the legislahlre staff would not be while the Legislature 
is in session, this bill can be implemented without an increase to budgeted resources. 
LR1501(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1