An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Maine Economic Improvement Fund
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0959
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: TIL TON, RA YE, BURNS, LANGLEY, MARTIN, PRESCOTT, GOOLEY, SHERMAN
Amends: 10 MRSA §947, 10 MRSA §948

Legislative Document 
No. 959 
H.P.661 
House of Representatives, March 10,2009 
An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Maine Economic 
Improvement Fund 
Reference to the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development.suggested 
and ordered plinted. 
Presented by Representative TIL TON of Harrington. 
Cosponsored by Senator RA YE of Washington and 
'711~d 1J7.17!!i£~{ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: BURNS of Whiting, LANGLEY of Ellsworth, MARTIN of Eagle Lake, 
McCABE of Skowhegan, McFADDEN of DelIDysville, PRESCOTT of Top.sham, Senators: 
GOOLEY of Franklin, SHERMAN of Aroostook. 
Printed 011 r~cyclcd p .. lper 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §947, sub-§2-A is enacted to read: 
2-A. Rural campuses. "Rural campuses" means the University of Maine System 
campuses located in Augusta, Farmington, F01i Kent, Machias and Presque Isle. 
Sec. 2. 10 MRSA §948, sub-§I, ~, as amended by PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. AAA, 
§5, is fmiher amended to read: 
F. Providing an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1st of 
each regular session of the Legislature setting forth: 
(1) The operations of the fund during the fiscal year; 
(2) The assets and liabilities of the fund at the end of its most recent fiscal year; 
and 
(3) The annual measurable goals and objectives of the fund, as established by the 
board, and an assessment of the achievement of those goals and objectives. The 
goals and objectives must include, but may not be limited to, education, research 
and developmenti--amt 
The annual report must clearly delineate the total amount contained in the fund at the 
end of its most recent fiscal year and must set forth the amounts and purposes of all 
expenditures from the fund during the fiscal year; and 
Sec. 3. 10 MRSA §948, sub-§2 is enacted to read: 
2. Rural allotment. The Board of Trustees of the University of Maine System shall 
set aside annually an amount equalling 3% of the total amount to be expended for 
research and development and product innovation in target areas to be distributed equally 
among those rural campuses that are able to demonstrate efforts in research and 
development in target areas in the previous year. For purposes of this subsection, eff01is 
in research and development in target areas may be demonstrated through the budgeting 
of funds for positions or programs dedicated to research and development in target areas. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires the Board of Trustees of the University of Maine System to set 
aside annually 3% of the total amount to be expended from the Maine Economic 
Improvement Fund for research and development and product innovation in target areas 
and to distribute that amount equally among those rural campuses of the University of 
Maine System that are able to demonstrate efforts in research and development in target 
areas in the previous year. 
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