Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study the Promotion and Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar Industry
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0109
Committee Amendment CA_A_H159 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "4,, to H.P. 91, L.D. 109, "Resolve, To Establish 
the Commission To Study the Promotion and Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar 
Industry" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Study the Promotion and Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar 
Industry' 
Amend the resolve 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, strengthening the branding of. Maine maple sugar products has the 
potential to create value-added jobs in the natural resourceS sector and expand export 
markets for Maine maple sugar products; and 
Whereas, convening a task force of maple sugar producers and other stakeholders is 
a first step in advancing this goal; and 
Whereas, the end of the maple sugar production season is an optimal time to bring 
stakeholders together; 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 study the promotion and expansion of the Maine maple sugar industry. The 
commissioner shall invite representatives from each of the following to participate in the 
task force: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 91, L.D. 109 
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 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 
expanSlOn; 
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 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 AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,A "to H.P. 91, L.D. 109 
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 commissioner 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 7, 2011, 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 Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; and 
be it further 
Sec. 8. Authority to submit legislation. Resolved: That the Joint Standing 
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may submit a bill pertaining to the 
Maine maple sugar industry to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the resolve. It replaces the proposal for a legislative study 
with a task force convened by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural 
Resources. 
It directs the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to 
provide staff support to the task force. 
It directs the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to submit a 
final report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
no later than December 7, 2011. 
It authorizes the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to submit legislation to the Second Regular 
Session of the 125th Legislature. 
FISCAL .\OTE REQLlRED 
(See ,~.ttached)_ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/26/11 frac 
LD 109 
LR 145(02) 
Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study the Promotion and Expansion of the Maine Maple 
Sugar Industry 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ·A" 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Finance Authority of Maine as well as the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Rural 
Resources, Conservation and Economic and Community Development associated with participating on the task force 
providing staff assistance and reporting the results can be absorbed with existing staff and within existing budgeted 
resources. 
LROI45(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of I