Resolve, To Promote the Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar Industry
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1814

Legislative Document 
No. 1814 
H.P. 1338 
House of Representatives, February 9, 2012 
Resolve, To Promote the Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar 
Industry 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reported by Representative EDGECOMB of Caribou for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry pursuant to Resolve 2011, chapter 48, section 8. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the task force convened in accordance with Resolve 2011, chapter 48 has 
determined that Maine's forest resource is able to support significant expansion in maple 
sugar production and has identified obstacles to expansion; and 
Whereas, continuing involvement of stakeholders is vital to facilitate the expansion 
of this industry; and 
Whereas, in order to provide the task force created in this resolve the most time 
possible to complete its work, it is necessary that it be convened before the end of the 
90-day period; 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. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and 
Rural Resources, referred to in this resolve as "the commissioner," shall convene a task 
force to develop strategies to address obstacles to the expansion of Maine's maple sugar 
industry. The commissioner shall invite members of the task force convened under 
Resolve 2011, chapter 48 to continue to serve. The commissioner shall invite others to 
serve as needed to ensure that each of the following are represented on the task force: 
1.  A statewide association of producers of Maine maple sugar products; 
2.  A regional association of producers of maple sugar products in southern Maine; 
3.  An association of producers of maple sugar products in Somerset County;  
4.  A producer of maple sugar products in Aroostook County; 
5.  A producer of maple sugar products with more than 5,000 taps; 
6.  A producer of maple sugar products with 1,000 or fewer taps; 
7.  A statewide organization of small woodlot owners; 
8.  A statewide organization representing the forest products industry;  
9.  The University of Maine Cooperative Extension; and 
10.  A statewide farming association with a committee actively involved with maple 
sugar production; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Chair; convening of initial meeting. Resolved:  That the 
commissioner shall designate a person to serve as chair of the task force and shall 
convene the initial meeting no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall: 
1.  Monitor and analyze growth in maple sugar production and demand for maple 
sugar products; 
2.  Work with private landowners, foresters and managers of public lands to develop 
guidance on and facilitate the leasing of forest lands for maple sugar production; 
3.  Develop strategies to increase educational opportunities for producers; 
4.  Work with education professionals on a curriculum to increase awareness of the 
maple sugar industry and train workers for the industry; 
5.  Develop recommendations for establishing an ongoing council in statute to guide 
the expansion of Maine's maple sugar industry and oversee a comprehensive promotion 
initiative.  The task force shall make recommendations as to the membership, terms and 
responsibilities of the council; 
6.  Identify funding sources to support the maple sugar industry, including 
recommendations for allocating resources within the Department of Agriculture, Food 
and Rural Resources and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension; and 
7.  Develop recommendations for a comprehensive promotion program for the maple 
sugar industry, including a funding source or sources. In developing its recommendations, 
the task force 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. 4.  Meetings. Resolved:  That the chair, in consultation with the 
commissioner, shall schedule meetings of the task force as necessary to complete the task 
force's assigned duties. The commissioner shall notify members of the Joint Standing 
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and other Legislators with a known 
interest in the maple sugar industry of all meetings of the task force; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Staffing and funding. Resolved:  That the Department of Agriculture, 
Food and Rural Resources shall provide staff support to the task force from existing 
resources. The Department of Conservation, Bureau of Forestry and Bureau of Parks and 
Lands shall provide staff from existing resources to assist in discussions relating to 
landowner education, forest management and leasing land for maple sugar production.  
The commissioner and the Commissioner of Conservation may use contributions of 
money, services and supplies accepted under existing authority to support the work of the 
task force; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Agency cooperation. Resolved:  That the commissioner, the 
Commissioner of Conservation, the Commissioner of Economic and Community 
Development 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 
task force, respond to information requests and attend task force meetings upon request; 
and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Final report. Resolved:  That, no later than December 4, 2013, the 
commissioner shall submit a report that includes the findings and recommendations of the 
task force, including suggested legislation to implement the recommendations, for 
presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
agriculture matters; and be it further 
Sec. 8.  Authority to submit legislation. Resolved:  That the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture matters may submit 
legislation pertaining to the Maine maple sugar industry to the Second Regular Session of 
the 126th Legislature. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve is the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry submitted pursuant to Resolve 2011, chapter 48, section 8.  It 
directs the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to convene a task 
force to address obstacles that affect the expansion of Maine's maple sugar industry and 
develop strategies to promote the industry. This task force will continue the work of the 
task force convened under Resolve 2011, chapter 48. 
This resolve directs the commissioner to submit a report including the findings and 
recommendations of the task force to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over agriculture matters no later than December 4, 2013. It authorizes 
the committee to submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 126th 
Legislature. 
Approved: 02/06/12
LD 1814
LR 2748(01)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Additional costs to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to participate on the task force can be absorbed 
within existing budgeted resources.
Additional costs to the Finance Authority of Maine and the Department of Economic and Community Development to 
serve as resources to the task force can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
Additional costs to the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and Conservation associated with 
participating on the task force, providing staff support and reporting the findings and recommendations can be 
absorbed within existing budgeted resources and with existing staff.
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Resolve, To Promote the Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar Industry
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
LR2748(01) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1