An Act To Suppo1t Workforce Development by Increasing Engineering Capacity
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0312
Committee Amendment CA_A_S193 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "(\ " to S.P. 100, L.D. 312, Bill, "An Act To 
Suppo1t Workforce Development by Increasing Engineering Capacity" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the University of Maine System To Study the Opportunities To 
Increase Engineering Capacity in Southern Maine' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
insetting the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, engineers are essential to Maine's economy, providing an estimated 
$4,000,000,000 of direct and indirect impact on the State's gross domestic product 
annually; and 
Whereas, 27% of Maine's engineering and scientific workforce is 55 years of age or 
older and the State is currently producing less than half of the engineering graduates 
needed to meet the needs of businesses and industry in the coming decade; and 
Whereas, this resolve directs the University of Maine System to study the 
opp01tunities to strengthen the capacity of the engineering programs in southern Maine to 
meet the workforce, applied research and technical assistance needs of southern Maine's 
businesses and industry; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a repo1t 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 
Page I - 128LR0905(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'A "to S.P. 100, L.D. 312 
I 
Sec. 1. Study established. Resolved: That the University of Maine System, 
refeO'ed to in this resolve as "the system," shall develop recommendations for 
strengthening educational programs to better meet the current and projected engineering 
workforce, applied research and technical assistance needs of southern Maine businesses 
and industry; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Duties. Resolved: That the system, with input from and in consultation 
with faculty, staff, students and industry, community and secondary and postsecondary 
education partners, shall: 
I. Identify the current and projected engineering workforce, applied research and 
IO 
technical assistance needs of southern Maine businesses and indust1y; 
2. 
Review enrollment trends and existing capacity including but not limited to 
faculty and facilities of the engineering department and related nonacademic programs 
and partnerships at the University of Southern Maine; 
3. Identify future growth opportunities for the University of Southern Maine to better 
meet the region's engineering needs through program improvements and new and 
expanded institutional and industrial partnerships including strengthened synergy with the 
University of Maine's engineering program; 
4. Identify opportunities to strengthen Maine's engineering workforce by increasing 
engineering program enrollment and access among traditional and nontraditional students 
at the University of Southern Maine; 
5. 
Review best practices from other institutions of higher education that would 
inform how the University of Southern Maine could best respond to the engineering 
needs of southern Maine businesses and industry; and 
6. Prepare recommendations for strengthening engineering capacity to meet current 
and projected workforce, applied research and technical assistance needs of southern 
Maine businesses and indust1y, including program improvements and new initiatives at 
the University of Southern Maine to increase student recruitment and retention and 
strengthen opportunities for students and industry including through internships and 
cooperative education experiences; and be it further 
Sec. 3. 
Report. 
Resolved: 
That the system shall report its findings and 
recommendations to its board of trustees by November 20, 2017. The system shall submit 
a rep01t of its findings and recommendations, including recommended legislation, to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and the Joint Standing 
Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development by December 
31, 2017. After reviewing the rep01t, the Joint Standing Committee on Education and 
Cultural Affairs may repo1t out a bill to implement recommendations contained in the 
rep01t to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITIEEAMENDMENT"A "to S.P.100,L.D. 312 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the minority report of the committee, changes the bill to a resolve 
and requires the University of Maine System to study the existing and emerging 
engineering workforce, applied research and technical assistance needs of southern Maine 
businesses and industry. The study must include recommendations to increase the 
engineering capacity specifically in southern Maine by strengthening academic and 
related nonacademic programs at the University of Southern Maine. The University of 
Maine System is required to report its findings and recommendations to its board of 
trustees by November 20, 2017 and to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, 
Research and Economic Development by December 31, 2017. 
After reviewing the 
report, the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out a 
bill to implement recommendations contained in the report to the Second Regular Session 
of the 128th Legislature. The cost of the study will be absorbed using existing University 
of Maine System resources. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/28/17 feac 
LD312 
LR 905(02) 
An Act To Support Workforce Development by Increasing Engineering Capacity 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'A' l <;.- ! qi) 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the University of Maine System to conduct the required study and submit the required report can 
be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0905(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1