An Act To Establish the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1008
Committee Amendment CA_A_H254 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " 
to H.P. 709, L.D. 1008, Bill, "An Act To 
Establish the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations" 
Amend the bill in section 2 by striking out all of §25002 (page 1, lines 21 to 34 in 
L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'§25002. Membership 
The commission consists of the following members: 
1. Members of the Senate. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President 
of the Senate, including one member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest 
number of seats in the Legislature: 
2. Members of the House of Representatives. Three 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; and 
3. Public members. The following members representing the public: 
A. A representative of a community economic development organization appointed 
by the President of the Senate: 
B. A representative of an economic policy organization appointed by the Speaker of 
the House: 
C. 
The district director of the Maine district office of the United States Small 
Business Administration, or the district director's designee; 
D. 
The president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce or its successor 
organization, or the president's designee; 
E. Two members of the public that represent racial and ethnic populations in the 
State, one of whom is appointed by the President of the Senate and one of whom is 
appointed by the Speaker of the House; and 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
fl d s. 
COM1v1ITIEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 709, L.D. 1008 
F. Three members of the public appointed by the Governor representing each of the 
following: the elderly, low-income people and youth. 
The commission shall invite the participation, as a voting member, of a representative of 
a federally recognized Indian tribe in the State. 
In making appointments, the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the 
House shall consider and appoint residents of the State who have a knowledge of 
problems facing racial and ethnic populations in the State, who have experience in 
advocacy relating to racial and ethnic populations' issues and who provide leadership in 
programs or activities that improve opportunities for racial and ethnic populations. The 
members of the commission must be chosen from throughout the State, and the majority 
of members must be members of racial and ethnic populations.' 
Amend the bill in section 2 in §25006 by striking out all of subsection 1 (page 2, lines 
and 24 in L.D.) and insetting the following: 
'1. Research; policy proposals. Carrying out research necessary to determine the 
status of racial and ethnic populations in the State and considering policy proposals. The 
commission shall: 
A. Study income levels of and opportunities available to historically disadvantaged 
racial and ethnic populations in the State and examine quantitative and qualitative 
data associated with those populations regarding business ownership, household 
assets, debts and income, housing, employment and access to inherited wealth, capital 
and benefits; and 
B. Consider policy proposals to diversify business ownership to include historically 
disadvantaged racial and ethnic populations in the State and to bridge the gaps in 
wealth acquisition, including, but not limited to, proposals to: 
(1) Develop a program to provide to aspiring and new business owners technical 
assistance workshops and training on topics such as the creation of business 
plans, accessing capital and funding and securing job training; 
(2) Provide assistance to vendors to become registered with the State and create 
a clearinghouse to serve as a resource for state-registered vendors seeking 
government contracts; and 
(3) Establish an office to coordinate the educational and technical assistance 
needs of emerging small businesses and to provide information to small 
businesses seeking to open, operate or expand their businesses;' 
Amend the bill in section 2 in §25006 by striking out all of subsection 6 (page 3, lines 
and 2 in L.D.) and insetting the following: 
'6. Reports. Beginning January 1, 2019 and biennially thereafter, reporting to the 
Governor and the Legislature concerning the work and interests of the commission.' 
Amend the bill in section 3 in the 3rd line (page 3, line 14 in L.D.) by striking out the 
following: "the 4 appointed" and inserting the following: 'one appointed' 
Amend the bill in section 3 in the 4th line (page 3, line 15 in L.D.) by striking out the 
following: "2 appointed" and inserting the following: '3 appointed' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
ft. of s. 
COMMIITEEAMENDMENT"A "to H.P. 709,L.D. 1008 
Amend the bill by adding after section 3 the following: 
'Sec. 4. Initial report. No later than March 1, 2018, the Permanent Commission 
on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations established in the Maine Revised Statutes, 
Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 74-J shall submit a report that includes the 
commission's findings and recommendations on the commission's research and 
consideration of policy proposals pursuant to Title 5, section 25006, subsection 1, 
including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 
128th Legislature. 
Sec. 5. Appropriations and allocations. 
The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF 
Bureau of Administrative Services and Corporations 0692 
Initiative: Provides funding for one Planning and Research Assistant I position and 
related costs to provide support to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and 
Ethnic Populations. 
GENERAL FUND 
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT 
Personal Services 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
SUMMARY 
2017-18 
2018-19 
1.000 
1.000 
$59,540 
$62,279 
$3,100 
$3,242 
$62,640 
$65,521 
This amendment is the majority report of the committee. The amendment changes the 
membership of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic 
Populations, decreasing the total membership from 1 7 as proposed in the bill to 15 and 
including Legislators in the membership. The amendment also expands the research 
duties of the commission to incorporate the study of income levels of and opportunities 
available to historically disadvantaged racial and ethnic populations in the State and the 
examination of data regarding business ownership, household assets, debts and income, 
housing, employment and access to inherited wealth, capital and benefits. It also directs 
the commission to consider policy proposals to diversify business ownership to include 
historically disadvantaged racial and ethnic populations in the State and to bridge the 
gaps in wealth acquisition. The amendment adds an initial repo1t by the commission to 
the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature focusing on the commission's 
research on income levels and consideration of policy proposals. The amendment also 
specifies a due date of January 1st for the biennial rep01t proposed in the bill, beginning 
Januruy 1, 2019. The amendment adds an appropriations and allocations section to the 
bill. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
• 
Approved: 05/11/17 j!;pae! 
LD 1008 
LR2059{02) 
An Act To Establish the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Popul~ons 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 1~{H .. J5'j? 
· 
Committee: State and Local Government 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/ Allocations 
General Fund 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
FY2017-18 
FY2018-19 
$62,640 
$65,521 
$62,640 
$65,521 
Projections 
FY2019-20 
$67,487 
$67,487 
Projections 
FY 2020-2' 
$69,512 
$69,512 
The general operating expenses of this study are projected to be $2,500 in fiscal year 2017-18 and $2,500 in fiscal 
year 2018-19. The Legislature's proposed budget includes $10,000 in fiscal year 2017-18 and $10,000 in fiscal year 
2018-19 for legislative studies. Whether these amounts are sufficient to fund all studies will depend on the number of 
studies authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
The bill includes a General Fund appropriation to the Department of Secretary of State of $62,640 in fiscal year 2017-
and $65,521 in fiscal year 2018-19 for one Planning and Research Assistant I position and related costs. 
The additional costs to the Executive Department are expected to be minor and can be absorbed utilizing existing 
budgeted resources. 
LR2059(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1