Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Study the Economic, Environmental and Energy Benefits of the Maine Biomass Industry
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1693
Committee Amendment CA_A_H662 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to H.P. 1158, L.D. 1693, "Resolve, 
Establishing the Commission To Study the Economic, Environmental and Energy 
Benefits of the Maine Biomass Industry" 
Amend the resolve in section 2 in the 2nd line (page 1, line 7 in L.D.) by striking out 
the following: "15" and inserting the following: '13' 
Amend the resolve in section 2 in subsection 3 in paragraph D in the last line (page 1, 
line 18 in L.D.) by inserting after the following: "silviculture;" the following: 'and' 
Amend the resolve in section 2 in subsection 4 in paragraph D in the last line (page 1, 
line 25 in L.D.) by inserting after the following: "cogeneration;" the following: 'and be it 
further' 
Amend the resolve in section 2 by striking out all of subsections 5 and 6 (page 1, 
lines 26 to 28 in L.D.). 
Amend the resolve in section 5 by striking out all of the indented paragraph (page 2, 
lines 17 to 22 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'In conducting the duties under this section, the commission shall seek public input 
and shall consult and collaborate with stakeholders and experts in the fields of economic 
development, natural resources and energy policy; and be it further' 
Amend the resolve by striking out all of section 7 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 7. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
staffing services to the commission. The commission may invite the Department of 
Economic and Community Development, the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of 
the Public Advocate, the Governor's Energy Office, the Efficiency Maine Trust, the 
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and other appropriate agencies of 
State Government to provide additional staff support or assistance to the commission; and 
be it further' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1158, L.D. 1693 
SUMMARY 
This amendment removes from membership on the commission established in the 
resolve the Director of the Efficiency Maine Trust, or the director's designee, and the 
chair of the Public Utilities Commission, or the chair's designee. It removes language that 
limits who may provide public input. It removes the requirement that the commission hire 
a 3rd party to help with data collection, research and best practices and to develop policy 
recommendations. Lastly, it removes language that requires the commission to be funded 
by federal funds provided by the United States Department of Energy. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/08/16 ;Wac.. 
LO 1693 
LR2640(02) 
Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Study the Economic, Environmental and Energy Benefits of 
the Maine Biomass Industry 
. 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '~' [ H---bhi> 
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology 
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Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
The general operating expenses of this commission are projected to be $2,750 in fiscal year 2016-17. The 
Legislature's budget includes $10,000 in fiscal year 2016-17 for legislative studies. Whether this amount is sufficient 
to fund all studies will depend on the number of studies authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. 
The additional costs of providing staffing assistance to the commission during the interim can be absorbed utilizing 
existing budgeted staff resources. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs for departments and agencies to provide support and assistance to the commission are assumed to 
be minor and can be absorbed within the existing budgeted resources of the departments and agencies participating. 
LR2640(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1