An Act To Create a Domestic Division within the Maine International Trade Center
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1131
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: LIBBY, VOLK
Amends: 10 MRSA §945, 10 MRSA §945-A, 10 MRSA §945-C, 10 MRSA §945-D, 10 MRSA §945-H, 10 MRSA §945-M

Legislative Document 
No. 1131 
S.P. 400 
In Senate, March 31, 2015 
An Act To Create a Domestic Division within the Maine 
International Trade Center 
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator LIBBY of Androscoggin. 
Cosponsored by Senator: VOLK of Cumberland. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  10 MRSA §945, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to 
read: 
The Maine International Trade Center, referred to in this chapter as the "center," is 
established to enhance the competitive advantage of state businesses desiring to compete 
in the national or international market.  The center provides a source of leadership, 
coordination and a shared vision for national and international trade development in the 
State.  The purpose of the center, through its cooperative public and private board, is to 
refine, revise and implement the State's national and international strategic plan by 
providing and enhancing services in coordination with the economic development 
activities of the private sector, community and regional agencies and State Government. 
Sec. 2.  10 MRSA §945-A, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read: 
§945-A.  Duties 
The center shall provide a base level of services without regard to membership in the 
center and enhanced services as the center's board of directors may direct, to private 
entities, individuals, the State and to quasi-public and public entities.  The center shall 
encourage and assist the growth of the State's national and international economic 
activities in the following ways. 
1.  Forum.  The center shall provide a continuing forum for the exchange of 
expertise, ideas and innovations between the public and private sectors. 
2.  Education.  The center shall offer quality education and technical services to 
businesses in the State that compete or seek to compete in national or worldwide markets. 
3.  Development of programs.  The center shall act as a catalyst in the development 
and coordination of national and international programs. 
4.  Public policy.  The center shall underscore the importance of national and 
international trade as a priority of public policy and to enhance public appreciation of the 
relevance of the national and international economy. 
5.  Information.  The center shall provide information necessary to transact national 
and international business and to make effective decisions concerning national and 
international trade and policy. 
6.  Infrastructure.  The center shall support the development and availability of an 
overall infrastructure conducive to national and international business. 
7.  Dissemination of programs.  The center shall promote the development and 
dissemination of education, training and technical assistance programs appropriate for 
other states and foreign countries. 
8.  Market opportunities.  The center shall identify market opportunities and 
potential contracts in other states and foreign countries that match the technologies and 
expertise available in the State and coordinate and submit appropriate proposal responses. 
9.  Data base.  The center shall maintain an a national and international commerce 
data base to assist in making program decisions. 
10.  Domestic division.  The center shall establish and maintain a domestic division 
that focuses on supporting, promoting and expanding trade opportunities with other 
states. 
Sec. 3.  10 MRSA §945-C, sub-§5, ¶¶C and F, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, 
§5, are amended to read: 
C.  Ensure that the center's programs reflect the policy and management decisions as 
described in the strategic plan for the State concerning national and international 
trade; 
F.  Serve as the State's diplomat, providing leadership in the area of national and 
international trade and advocating within the State and abroad on behalf of the State's 
national and international trade community; and 
Sec. 4.  10 MRSA §945-D, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended 
to read: 
3.  Economic development services; fees.  Employ a staff and provide services to 
public or private entities to assist their efforts in the development of national and 
international trade in the State and to charge such fees for these services as it determines 
appropriate; 
Sec. 5.  10 MRSA §945-D, sub-§10, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is 
amended to read: 
10.  Cooperation with agencies and organizations.  Cooperate with governmental 
agencies and the University of Maine System; and cooperate, assist and encourage 
organizations, local or regional, private or public, in the communities of the State in the 
promotion, assistance and development of national and international trade in those 
communities and the State. 
Sec. 6.  10 MRSA §945-H, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read: 
§945-H.  Prohibited interests of officers, directors and employees 
Officers, directors or employees of the center or their spouses or dependent children 
may not receive any direct personal benefit from the activities of the center in assisting 
any private entity.  This section does not prohibit corporations or other entities with 
which officers or directors are associated by reason of ownership or employment from 
participating in national or international trade activities of the center or receiving services 
offered by the center as long as the ownership or employment is made known to the board 
of directors and, if applicable, the officers or directors abstain from voting on matters 
relating to that participation.  This section does not apply to members who are not officers 
or directors of the center. 
Sec. 7.  10 MRSA §945-M, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read: 
§945-M.  Liberal construction 
This chapter may be construed liberally to effect the intent and purposes of the center 
for an improved and enhanced national and international trade development effort in the 
State and may not be construed as a limitation of powers. 
Sec. 8.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF  
International Commerce 0674 
Initiative: Provides funding for 2 Public Service Coordinator I positions at the Maine 
International Trade Center to staff the center's domestic division. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires the Maine International Trade Center to establish and maintain a 
domestic division to support, promote and expand trade opportunities with other states 
and provides funding for 2 positions at the Maine International Trade Center to staff the 
domestic division. 
GENERAL FUND 
2015-16
2016-17
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT 
2.000
2.000
Personal Services 
$103,318
$144,278
All Other 
$20,291
$22,054
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$123,609
$166,332