An Act To Encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1540
Committee Amendment CA_A_S177 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 490, L.D. 1540, Bill, "An Act To 
Encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, according to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics projections for labor force needs over the next decade, 18 of the 20 
fastest-growing occupations are directly related to knowledge and education in the areas 
of science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and 
Whereas, less than 5% of Maine high school students score at the advanced level in 
mathematics and less than 15% of Maine's bachelor's degrees are awarded in the areas of 
science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and 
Whereas, it is necessary to enact this legislation immediately in order that the 
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council established in this Act may 
begin its work in time to make its initial report by January 2012; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 5 MRS A §12004-C, sub-§8 is enacted to read: 
8. 
Science, Technology, 
Engineering and Mathematics 
Council 
Expenses Only 
20-A MRSA § 11 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A "to S.P. 490, L.D. 1540 
Sec. 2. 20-A MRS A §11 is enacted to read: 
§11. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council 
1. 
Establishment; composition. 
The Science, Technology, Engineering and 
Mathematics Council, established in Title 5, section 12004-C, subsection 8 and referred 
to in this section as "the council," consists of the following 16 members: 
A. Five ex officio members: 
(1) The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee; 
(2) 
The Chancellor of the University of Maine System or the chancellor's 
designee; 
(3) The President of the Maine Community College System or the president's 
designee; 
(4) The President of the Maine Maritime Academy or the president's designee; 
and 
(5) The Commissioner of Labor or the commissioner's designee; and 
B. The following 11 members, appointed by the Governor: 
(1) A representative from the University of Maine, Maine Center for Research in 
STEM Education; 
(2) A representative who teaches in elementary or middle school; 
(3) A representative who teaches science or mathematics in secondary school; 
(4) A representative who teaches in a technical school; 
(5) A representative of public and private education partnerships; 
(6) 
A representative of a statewide science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics collaborative; 
(7) Two representatives from the business sector who employ workers with 
training in science, technology, engineering or mathematics; 
(8) A representative employed in an industry related to science, technology, 
engineering or mathematics; 
(9) A representative who teaches in an equivalent instruction program that is 
approved as an alternative to public school as set forth in section 500 I-A, 
subsection 3; and 
(10) A representative from the State Board of Education. 
2. Terms; vacancy. The members of the council appointed pursuant to subsection 1, 
paragraph B serve for 2-year terms and serve until their successors are appointed and 
qualified. On the expiration of a term of any member, a successor must be appointed to a 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 490, L.D. 1540 
2-year term. A member of the council is eligible for reappointment to the council. A 
vacancy in the council does not impair the right of a quorum of the members to exercise 
all the rights and perform all the duties of the council. 
In the event of a vacancy 
occurring in the membership, the Governor shall appoint a replacement member for the 
remainder of the unexpired ternl in the same manner as the original appointment was 
made. 
3. Duties. The council shall develop strategies for enhancing science, technology, 
engineering and mathematics education from prekindergarten through postsecondary 
education and: 
A. Review research that has been conducted on science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics education in the State and recommend strategic directions for 
consideration by policymakers as they identify future investments III SCience, 
technology, engineering and mathematics; 
B. 
Plan for coordinated state leadership with respect to SCience, technology, 
engineering and mathematics education and initiatives; 
C. Develop initiatives to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics 
education; 
D. 
Devise strategies for promoting career and technical education alignment and 
supporting early career planning and transition supports from high school to college 
and to the workforce; and 
E. 
Propose methods for integrating out-of-school programs focused on science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics with school-based programs, with the goal 
of inspiring more students to concentrate in the fields of science, technology, 
engineering and mathematics. 
4. Chair; vice-chair. The council shall elect from its membership a chair and a 
vice-chair. The chair and vice-chair serve for one-year terms. The chair and vice-chair 
serve until their successors are elected. The chair calls meetings of the council and 
presides over meetings. The vice-chair serves as the chair in the absence of the chair. 
5. Meetings; quorum; subcommittees. The council shall meet at least 2 times each 
year. The chair shall establish the agenda. A quorum of the council is 9 members. The 
council may establish subcommittees of no fewer than 3 members. 
6. Compensation. Members of the council appointed pursuant to subsection 1, 
paragraph B are entitled to receive compensation for travel expenses as allowed under 
Title 5, section 12004-C, subsection 8 while engaged in council activities. 
7. Assistance. The Department of Education, the University of Maine System and 
the Maine Community College System shall jointly provide staff support to the council. 
8. Annual report. By January 15th annually, the council shall submit a report of its 
findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over education matters. 
Sec. 3. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
20-A, section 11, subsection 2, the terms of the 11 initial appointments made in 
accordance with Title 20-A, section II, subsection 1, paragraph B are staggered as 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 490, L.D. 1540 
follows: 6 of the appointees must be appointed for 2-year terms and 5 of the appointees 
must be appointed for 3-year terms. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited ill the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
The bill establishes the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council. 
This amendment makes the following changes to the bill: 
1. It adds an emergency preamble and an emergency clause; 
2. It adds the President of the Maine Maritime Academy to the ex officio members of 
the council; 
3. It allows the ex officio members to designate a person to represent them on the 
council; 
4. It adds 3 new members to the council, including a representative of: 
A. The State Board of Education; 
B. An equivalent instruction program that is approved as an alternative to public 
school as set forth in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section SOOI-A, 
subsection 3; and 
C. The business sector who employs workers with training in science, technology, 
engineering or mathematics; 
5. It staggers the initial appointment of council members; and 
6. It allows the council to fonn subcommittees of no fewer than 3 members. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: OS/22111 
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LD 1540 
LR 2130(02) 
An Act To Encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" S ""'1'( 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Education, the University of Maine System, and the Maine Community College 
System to serve on the council and to jointly provide staff support can be absorbed within the department's and each 
System's existing budgeted resources. Additional costs to the Department of Labor and Maine Maritime Academy to 
serve on the council can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR2130(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1