An Act To Improve Funding of Agricultural Development Projects
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0287
Committee Amendment CA_A_S36 (Senate)
Amends: 7 MRSA §306-A

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 120, L.D. 287, Bill, "An Act To 
Improve Funding of Agricultural Development Projects" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §306-A, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 72, §5, is amended 
to read: 
3. Rulemaking. The commissioner shall establish, by mle, in a manner consistent 
with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A 2-A criteria for the allocation of grant money, 
application requirements consistent with the provisions of this section, a schedule for 
accepting and reviewing applications, reporting requirements on grant expenditures and 
project results and any other administrative requirements necessary for the efficient 
implementation of this program. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine 
technical major substantive mles as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter H-A 2-A. 
The commissioner is guided by the following criteria: 
A. Applications may be submitted by individuals, firms or organizations in response 
to a request for proposals for competitive grants. The commissioner may also contract 
directly with individuals, firms or organizations for a special project under section 
307; 
B. 1\t least 25% A percentage of the total cost of any project must be funded by the 
applicant or applicants and at least 10% a percentage of the total cost must be funded 
from nonpublic sources. These percentages must be established by mle. A single 
grant may not exceed 2(}% 50% of the total funds available to be granted in a given 
year; however, in no case maya single grant exceed $30,000; 
C. Infonnation relative to market research or development activities provided to the 
commissioner prior to formal application, included in grant applications or provided 
to the commissioner to fulfill reporting requirements is confidential information and 
may not be publicly disclosed by the commissioner as long as: 
(1) The person to whom the information belongs or peliains has requested that 
certain information be designated as confidential; and 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~ .,. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 120, L.D. 287 
(2) 
The commissioner has determined that the information gives the person 
making the request opportunity to obtain business or competitive advantage over 
another person who does not have access to the infoID1ation or will result in loss 
of business or other significant detriment to the person making the request if 
access is provided to others; and 
D. When possible, the commissioner shall award grants to applicants representing 
diverse agricultural enterprises and geographic areas of the State.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the unanimous report of the Joint Standing Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. 
It requires that rules adopted regarding the 
implementation and use of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's 
agricultural development fund are major subst1utive rules in accordance with the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See atL:ched) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 04/01/l3 .m-ac.. 
LD287 
LR 382(02) 
An Act To Improve Funding of Agricultural Development Projects 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'A.'(sS ~ jlo) 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry associated with rulemaking can be 
absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0382(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1