Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study the Promotion and Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar Industry
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0109
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: PETERSON, RECTOR, BRYANT, HERBIG, HUNT, MARTIN, PRESCOTT, JACKSON

Legislative Document 
No. 109 
H.P. 91 
House of Representatives, January 20, 2011 
Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study the Promotion and 
Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar Industry 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative PETERSON of Rumford. 
Cosponsored by Senator RECTOR of Knox and 
Representatives: BRYANT of Windham, HERBIG of Belfast, HUNT of Buxton, MARTIN of 
Eagle Lake, PRESCOTT of Topsham, Senator: JACKSON of Aroostook. 
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 resolve establishes the Commission To Study the Promotion and 
Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar Industry to develop recommendations for 
strengthening the branding of Maine maple sugar products, creating value-added jobs in 
the natural resources sector and expanding export markets for Maine maple sugar 
products; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the initial phase of the study may be completed and an interim report submitted 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.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission To Study 
the Promotion and Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar Industry, referred to in this 
resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows: 
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
2.  Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature; and 
3.  Five members appointed by the Governor with at least one member representing 
each of the following: 
A.  Maine producers of maple sugar products; 
B.  Large landowners; and 
C.  Small woodlot owners; 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 
commission; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of commission. 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, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission in accordance with 
section 7.  If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not 
all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative 
Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct its business; and be 
it further 
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall examine with reference to 
the Maine maple sugar industry: 
1.  The potential for expanding both the harvesting and processing of maple sap for 
sugar; 
2.  Obstacles to expanded production; 
3.  Opportunities for enhancing a Maine maple brand; 
4.  The potential for expanding value-added processing and the economic impact of 
expansion; 
5.  The potential for expanding export marketing and the economic impact of 
expansion; 
6.  Structures or network associations that could increase sustainable production; 
7.  Potential competitive or collaborative opportunities with North America's largest 
producer, Quebec, Canada; and 
8.  Investments or actions that could be taken by the State that would produce a 
tangible economic return. 
In conducting its examination, the commission shall review models that have been 
successfully employed to promote other Maine food product industries, including marine 
products and agricultural products such as potatoes and blueberries; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further  
Sec. 7.  Meetings.  Resolved:  That the commission may meet only when the 
Legislature is not in regular or special session; and be it further 
Sec. 8.  Agency cooperation.  Resolved:  That the Commissioner of Agriculture, 
Food and Rural Resources, the Commissioner of Conservation and the Chief Executive 
Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine shall each designate a representative from their 
respective agencies to serve as a resource to the commission, respond to information 
requests and attend commission meetings; and be it further 
Sec. 9.  Interim report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 7, 2011, the 
commission shall submit an interim report that includes a summary of its discussions and 
its findings and an outline of the commission's work plan for the next interim to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters; and 
be it further 
Sec. 10.  Final report. Resolved:  That, no later than November 7, 2012, the 
commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, for presentation to joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters in the First Regular Session of 
the 126th Legislature; and be it further 
Sec. 11.  Outside funding.  Resolved:  That the commission shall seek funding 
contributions to fully fund the costs of the study.  All funding is subject to approval by 
the Legislative Council in accordance with its policies.  If sufficient contributions to fund 
the study have not been received within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve, no 
meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission To Study the Promotion and Expansion of 
the Maine Maple Sugar Industry to examine enhancing the branding of Maine maple 
sugar products, the use of the maple resource, increasing value-added jobs and promoting 
export markets.  The Legislative Council is directed to provide staffing services to the 
commission. 
The commission is required to provide an interim report no later than December 7, 
2011 and a final report by November 7, 2012.