An Act To Reform the Land Use and Planning Authority in the Unorganized Territories
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1534
Committee Amendment CA_A_H561 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "/I,, to H.P. 1126, L.D. 1534, Bill, "An Act To 
Reform the Land Use and Planning Authority in the Unorganized Territories" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Reform the Land Use and Planning Authority in the Unorganized 
Territory' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Commission on Reform of the Governance of Land Use Planning 
in the Unorganized Territory established. Resolved: That the Commission on 
Reform of the Governance of Land Use Planning in the Unorganized Territory, referred 
to in this resolve as "the commission," is established to advise the Joint Standing 
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on matters relating to land use 
planning and regulation in the unorganized territory; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 13 members, 
as follows: 
1. The Commissioner of Conservation or the commissioner's designee; 
2. Two residents of the unorganized territory, one appointed by the President of the 
Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
3. One representative of a large landowner in the unorganized territory engaged in 
the forest products industry, appointed by the Governor; 
4. One representative of a small landowner in the unorganized territory engaged in 
the forest products -industry, appointed by the Governor; 
. 
5. 
Two county commissioners from counties with significant acreage in the 
unorganized territory, one appointed by the President of the Senate, and one appointed by 
the Speaker of the House; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "fi" to H.P. 1126, L.D. 1534 
6. 
One representative of a statewide sportsmen's organization, appointed by the 
Governor; 
7. One representative of a statewide environmental or conservation organization, 
appointed by the President of the Senate; 
8. 
One representative of a regional environmental or conservation organization, 
appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
9. 
One representative of the tourism or outdoor recreation industry in the 
unorganized territory, appointed by the Governor; 
10. One representative of a regional or local economic development organization 
serving an area that includes unorganized territory, appointed by the President of the 
Senate; and 
11. One regional planner from a council of governments in a county with significant 
acreage in the unorganized territory, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and be it 
further 
Sec. 3. Chair. Resolved: That, after all members of the commission have been 
named, the Governor shall designate one member to serve as chair and another member 
to serve as vice-chair; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall: 
1. 
Consider reforming the governance of land use planning in the unorganized 
territory and make recommendations on the role of state agencies and county 
government, the planning and appeals process and opportunities for increased self-
determination in land use planning in the unorganized territory; 
2. Ensure that any recommendation that entails the elimination of the Maine Land 
Use Regulation Commission, referred to in this resolve as "LURC," provides an effective 
transition process, including a plan for LURC to complete any pending work or transfer 
the work to relevant agencies; 
3. Ensure uniform standards across the unorganized territory for timber harvesting 
activities and forest management, wildlife habitat protection and issues under the 
jurisdiction of the Natural Resources Protection Act; and 
4. 
Consider options for reforming the governance of land use planning in the 
unorganized territory; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Meetings; interim update. Resolved: That the commission shall meet 
as necessary to complete the assigned duties. The commission shall hold no fewer than 2 
public listening sessions on dates determined by the commission. The commission shall 
meet with the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no 
later than October 28, 2011 for an update on the progress of the commission; and be it 
further 
Sec. 6. Staffing. Resolved: That the Department of Conservation shall provide 
staff support to the commission within existing resources. 
The Commissioner of 
Conservation shall invite resource people to assist as appropriate, including individuals 
with past experience as LURC commissioners and staff; and be it further 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" {J, to H.P. 1126, L.D. 1534 
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That members of the commission do not 
receive compensation for their time, travel or other expenses; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall complete its work no later 
than December 15,2011 and submit its report and recommendations to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than January 4,2012; and 
be it further 
Sec. 9. Authority to submit legislation. Resolved: That the Joint Standing 
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall submit legislation reforming 
the governance of land use planning in the unorganized territory to the Second Regular 
Session of the 125th Legislature to take effect in fiscal year 2012-13.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the majority report of the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. 
It replaces the bill. 
It establishes the 
Commission on Reform of the Governance of Land Use Planning in the Unorganized 
Territory. It requires the commission to meet with the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than October 28, 2011 to provide an 
update on its progress and a final report no later than January 4,2012. It requires the 
Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to submit 
legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature. 
FIS'CAL !\OTE REQURED 
(See attached) 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 06/04/11 
~ac:. 
LD 1534 
LR 1640(02) 
An Act To Reform the Land Use and Planning Authority in the Unorganized Territories 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'fi" 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note· 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Legislative Cost/Study 
The estimated cost for the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to hold an interim 
meeting with the Commission on Refonn ofthe Governance of Land Use Planning in the Unorganized Territory is 
$1,625 in fiscal year 2011-12. The Legislature's proposed budget includes $10,000 in fiscal year 2011-12 for 
legislative studies. Whether the amounts are sufficient to fund all studies will depend on the number of studies 
authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
The Department of Conservation will incur additional costs to staff the Commission on Refonn of the Governance of 
Land Use Planning in the Unorganized Territory which can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
Any costs associated with assuming responsibility for pennitting and regulatory functions fonnerly perfonned by the 
Maine Land Use Regulatory Commission can be absorbed by the Department of Environmental Protection within 
existing budgeted resources. 
LR1640(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1