Resolve, To Establish a Task Force To Examine Agricultural Issues
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1747
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: JACKSON, MARTIN, CARPENTER, DAVIS, DILL, SAVIELLO, VITELLI, FREDETTE, TUELL

Legislative Document
No. 1747
S.P. 646
In Senate, December 22, 2017
Resolve, To Establish a Task Force To Examine Agricultural Issues
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on December 19, 2017.  Referred to the Committee 
on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator JACKSON of Aroostook.
Cosponsored by Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake and
Senators: CARPENTER of Aroostook, DAVIS of Piscataquis, DILL of Penobscot, 
SAVIELLO of Franklin, VITELLI of Sagadahoc, Representatives: FREDETTE of Newport, 
TUELL of East Machias.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this resolve establishes the Task Force To Examine Agricultural Issues to 
study barriers to economic prosperity in rural parts of the State and examine how 
innovation, infrastructure and technology may play a role in long-term, sustainable rural 
success; and
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next 
legislative session; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  Task force established.  Resolved:  That the Task Force To Examine 
Agricultural Issues, 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 13 
members appointed as follows:
1.  Four 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, 
a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
and a member of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government;
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, a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry and a member of the Joint Standing Committee on State and 
Local Government;
3.  
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the 
commissioner's designee;
4.  The Director of the Bureau of General Services or the director's designee;
5.  Two public members representing blueberry harvesters appointed by the Speaker 
of the House.  The Speaker of the House shall consider any recommendations submitted 
within 20 days of the effective date of this resolve by the Wild Blueberry Commission of 
Maine regarding persons who have such expertise; and
6.  One public member representing forest products landowners appointed by the 
President of the Senate.  The President of the Senate shall consider any recommendations 
submitted within 20 days of the effective date of this resolve by the Maine Forest 
Products Council regarding persons who have such expertise; 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 examine agricultural issues 
that create barriers to economic prosperity in rural parts of the State, including investment 
and development challenges, workforce training, labor shortages and marketing and 
branding opportunities, such as the "Made in Maine" initiative.  The task force shall also 
examine how innovation, infrastructure and technology may play a role in long-term, 
sustainable rural success.  The task force shall also examine the potential impact of 
requiring state facilities to use a certain percentage of biofuel and the effect the 
consolidation of the former Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and 
the former Department of Conservation has had on agricultural issues in 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 November 7, 2018, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Task Force To Examine Agricultural Issues to examine 
the barriers to economic prosperity in rural parts of the State and examine how 
innovation, infrastructure and technology may play a role in long-term, sustainable rural 
success.