Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Facilitate the Development of Unoccupied Mills
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1675
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: HOBBINS, SULLIVAN

Legislative Document 
No. 1675 
S.P. 574 
In Senate, December 21, 2011 
Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Facilitate the Development 
of Unoccupied Mills 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on December 19, 2011.  Referred to the Committee 
on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and 
ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218. 
JOSEPH G. CARLETON, JR. 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator HOBBINS of York. 
Cosponsored by Senator: SULLIVAN of York. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this legislation establishes the Task Force To Facilitate the Development 
of Unoccupied Mills to help municipalities with unoccupied mills to develop the sites and 
to help improve their local economies; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report prepared in time for submission to the next 
legislative session; 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.  Task force established.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the Task Force To Facilitate the Development of Unoccupied Mills, referred to in 
this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Task force membership.  Resolved:  That the task force consists of 13 
members appointed as follows: 
1.  Four members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2.  Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; 
3.  One representative from the Maine Municipal Association, appointed by the 
President of the Senate; 
4.  One representative from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives; 
5.  One nonlegislative representative from a municipality with an unoccupied mill, 
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and 
6.  One representative each from the Department of Economic and Community 
Development, the Maine State Housing Authority and the Finance Authority of Maine, 
appointed by the Governor; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task 
force; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of task force.  Resolved:  That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve.  The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed.  After appointment of all members 
and no later than April 15, 2012, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the 
task force.  If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not 
all of the appointments have been made, the chair may request, and the Legislative 
Council may grant, authority for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it 
further 
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the task force shall: 
1.  Review the efforts previously undertaken to develop unoccupied mills or mill sites 
in the State; 
2.  Determine the obstacles that hinder or prevent development of the mills or mill 
sites; 
3.  Review and determine the measures taken in other states that have successfully 
developed similar facilities; 
4.  Determine the measures needed to remove obstacles to or to facilitate the 
development of the mills or mill sites, including making any changes required in law or 
local ordinances; and 
5.  Estimate the costs involved in undertaking the various measures involved in 
developing the mills or mill sites; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Department of Economic and Community Development, the Maine State Housing 
Authority and the Finance Authority of Maine shall provide necessary staffing services to 
the task force; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Report. Resolved:  That, no later than December 5, 2012, the task force 
shall provide its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over labor, commerce and economic development matters, 
the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations 
and financial affairs and the Governor. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Task Force To Facilitate the Development of Unoccupied 
Mills.  The purpose of the task force is to help municipalities with unoccupied mills to 
develop the sites and to help improve their local economies.