An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry under the State Government Evaluation Act
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1892
Amends: 3 MRSA §959, 36 MRSA §4312-C

Legislative Document 
No. 1892 
H.P. 1395 
House of Representatives, March 19, 2012 
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Joint Standing 
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry under the 
State Government Evaluation Act 
Reported by Representative EDGECOMB of Caribou for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 
955, subsection 4. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  3 MRSA §959, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 552, §1, is further 
amended to read: 
A.  The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
agriculture, conservation and forestry matters shall use the following list as a 
guideline for scheduling reviews: 
(1)  Baxter State Park Authority in 2017; 
(2)  Department of Conservation in 2011 2019; 
(3)  Blueberry Advisory Committee in 2011; 
(4)  Board of Pesticides Control in 2011 2019; 
(5)  Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine in 2011 2019; 
(6)  Seed Potato Board in 2011; 
(7)  Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council in 2015; 
(8)  Maine Dairy Promotion Board in 2015; 
(9)  Maine Milk Commission in 2015; 
(10)  State Harness Racing Commission in 2015; 
(11)  Maine Agricultural Bargaining Board in 2017; 
(12)  Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources in 2017; and 
(14)  Land for Maine's Future Board in 2015. 
Sec. 2.  36 MRSA §4312-C, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 511, §21 and 
affected by §25, is repealed and the following enacted in its place: 
4.  Term.  Members are appointed to staggered 4-year terms so that the terms of 2 
members expire on August 31st of every year.  If the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food 
and Rural Resources fails to make an appointment prior to the expiration of a member's 
term, that member continues to serve until the commissioner makes an appointment for 
the remainder of that term. If a vacancy occurs prior to the expiration of a specified term, 
the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall appoint an individual 
to serve only the remainder of that term. 
Sec. 3.  Report from Maine Potato Board.  No later than January 15, 2013, the 
Maine Potato Board shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over agricultural matters regarding the activities of the Seed Potato Board.  
The report must include a summary of the production, distribution and sales of seed 
potatoes in 2010, 2011 and 2012.  
Sec. 4.  Staggered terms.  Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, 
section 4312-C, subsection 4, the terms of members serving on the Wild Blueberry 
Commission of Maine on the effective date of this Act expire at the discretion of the 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to accommodate the transition 
to terms beginning on September 1st. No later than August 15, 2012, the commissioner 
shall appoint 2 members to begin 4-year terms on September 1, 2012. In subsequent 
years, the commissioner shall appoint 2 members whose terms begin on September 1, 
2013; 2 whose terms begin on September 1, 2014; and 2 whose terms begin on September 
1, 2015. 
SUMMARY 
This bill is the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation 
and Forestry pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 955, subsection 4.  It 
establishes dates for the next review of agencies under the State Government Evaluation 
Act.  It removes the Blueberry Advisory Committee and the Seed Potato Board from the 
list of agencies to be reviewed. It ensures continuing staggered terms for members of the 
Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine.  It requires the Maine Potato Board to report to 
the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural 
matters on seed potato production, distribution and sales no later than January 15, 2013. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
Approved: 03/12/12
LD  1892
LR 2832(01)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - Maine Potato Board
Additional costs to the Maine Potato Board associated with reporting the activities of the Seed Potato Board can be 
absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Joint standing Committee of Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry under the Government Evaluation Act
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Rural Resources
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
LR2832(01) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1