Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Develop Strategies To Protect Towns
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0803
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: STANLEY, PATRICK, ALLEY, CAMPBELL, GILBERT, HANINGTON, HARLOW, SHORT

Legislative Document 
No. 803 
H.P. 552 
House of Representatives, March 10, 2015 
Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Develop Strategies To 
Protect Towns 
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative STANLEY of Medway. 
Cosponsored by Senator PATRICK of Oxford and 
Representatives: ALLEY of Beals, CAMPBELL of Orrington, GILBERT of Jay, 
HANINGTON of Lincoln, HARLOW of Portland, SHORT of Pittsfield. 
Sec. 1.  Task force established.  Resolved:  That the Task Force To Develop 
Strategies To Protect Towns, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established.  
The purpose of the task force is to assist municipalities with a narrow commercial base; 
and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Task force membership.  Resolved:  That the task force consists of 7 
members as follows: 
1.  Two members of the Senate who are members of the Joint Standing Committee on 
Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, appointed by the President of 
the Senate; 
2.  Two members of the House of Representatives who are members of the Joint 
Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, 
appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
3.  A member of a school board representing a municipality that is dependent on or 
has lost its one major industry or suffers economically due to a lack of a diversified 
economy or commercial base, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
4.  A municipal official representing a municipality that is dependent on or has lost its 
one major industry or suffers economically due to a lack of a diversified economy or 
commercial base, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and 
5.  The State Tax Assessor or the State Tax Assessor's designee, who serves as an ex 
officio member; 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.  Within 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force, which 
must be no later than 30 days following the appointment of all members; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the task force shall study municipalities that have 
lost their only major industry, rely on only one major industry or otherwise are dependent 
on or suffer economically due to a lack of a diversified economy or commercial base.  
The task force shall review state law and policies affecting these municipalities, including 
the system of school funding pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 
606-B, state-municipal revenue sharing, assistance programs and other state policies and 
programs to develop a plan and a strategy to assist the municipalities in developing the 
existing commercial base or transitioning to a new commercial base, attracting and 
retaining industries and workers and diversifying the municipalities' economies, 
including: 
1.  Assisting existing businesses and industries in attracting additional business and 
market share and capital and revenue from sources outside the local community; 
2.  Assisting existing businesses and industries by training workers with new skills 
and expertise to allow growth and expansion of the commercial base; 
3.  Upgrading existing local infrastructure, including transportation networks and 
Internet broadband services; 
4.  Exploring creative alternatives for new economic bases, industries or occupations; 
5.  Reviewing municipal services, tax policies and conditions to create a better 
climate for and relationship with businesses and industries; 
6.  Reviewing local schools to make improvements that attract high-quality workers 
and businesses and focus on areas of education desired by local industry; 
7.  Reviewing and implementing programs to assist local businesses and industries in 
investing and growing locally, including providing financing for new equipment or 
energy efficiency measures; 
8.  Reviewing local conditions to increase quality of life, shopping and recreational 
opportunities and other local factors to attract or retain high-quality workers and 
businesses; 
9.  Implementing various tax exemption and government incentive programs to 
attract and retain businesses and industries; and 
10.  Developing mutually beneficial partnerships with neighboring communities; and 
be it further 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 2, 2015, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development.  The Joint 
Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development may 
report out legislation based upon the report for presentation to the Second Regular 
Session of the 127th Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve creates the Task Force To Develop Strategies To Protect Towns.  The 
task force will examine ways of assisting municipalities in developing and strengthening 
their commercial bases.  The task force is required to submit a report to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development.