Resolve, To Create the Task Force To End Student Hunger in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1819
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: ALFOND, MacDONALD, LANGLEY, MILLETT

Legislative Document 
No. 1819 
S.P. 729 
In Senate, March 12, 2014 
Resolve, To Create the Task Force To End Student Hunger in 
Maine 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
DAREK M. GRANT 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by President ALFOND of Cumberland. 
Cosponsored by Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay and 
Senators: LANGLEY of Hancock, MILLETT of Cumberland. 
Preamble. Whereas, Maine has a moral obligation to care for its most vulnerable 
citizens; and 
Whereas, Maine ranks first in New England in food insecurity; and 
Whereas, in past years, Maine has underutilized up to $30,000,000 of federal 
funding that could have been used to provide meals to hungry students; and 
Whereas, food insecurity has proven to negatively impact student health and 
learning; and 
Whereas, the United States Department of Agriculture recently announced a 
nationwide expansion of its program known as the Community Eligibility Provision, 
which increases access to breakfast and lunch for all students in low-income areas; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Task force established.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the Task Force To End Student Hunger in Maine, referred to in this resolve as "the 
task force," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Task force membership.  Resolved:  That the task force consists of 17 
members as follows: 
1. Three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
2.  Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature; 
3.  Six members of the public with expertise in the fields of school food service, child 
health, child development or child hunger or related fields, including 2 members whose 
children used or are using school food programs.  Three members must be appointed by 
the President of the Senate and 3 members must be appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
4. Two members of the public appointed by the Governor;  
5.  The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee; and 
6.  The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee; 
and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task 
force; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of task force.  Resolved:  That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve.  The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force.  If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority 
for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the task force shall meet 5 times.  The task force 
shall study issues associated with the creation of a public-private partnership to provide 
expertise to school administrative units throughout the State in adopting best practices 
and maximizing available federal funds for addressing student hunger by using: 
1.  The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 
National School Lunch Program; 
2.  The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Child 
and Adult Care Food Program, At-Risk Afterschool Meals; 
3.  The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 
Summer Food Service Program; and 
4.  The 4 privately funded hunger coordinators positioned in the Healthy Maine 
Partnerships districts to encourage the use of school food programs. 
The task force shall draft a 3- to 5-year plan outlining a ramp-up of school food 
programs throughout the State; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 9, 2014, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, as well as actions that can be taken immediately, for presentation to the First 
Regular Session of the 127th Legislature; and be it further 
Sec. 8.  Outside funding.  Resolved:  That the task force shall seek funding 
contributions to fully fund the cost of the study.  All funding is subject to approval by the 
Legislative Council in accordance with its policies.  If sufficient contributions to fund the 
study have not been received within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve, no 
meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Task Force To End Student Hunger in Maine.