An Act To Rename the Maine International Trade Center the Maine Trade Center and To Establish within the Center International and Domestic Export Branches
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1334
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: BERRY, DILL, BABINE, CROCKETT, DAUGHTRY, DENK, GROHOSKI, PERRY
Amends: 5 MRSA §13070-C, 5 MRSA §13141, 10 MRSA §11, 10 MRSA §13, 10 MRSA §945, 10 MRSA §945-A, 10 MRSA §945-C, 10 MRSA §945-D, 10 MRSA §945-M, 23 MRSA §4421

Legislative Document
No. 1334
H.P. 962
House of Representatives, March 21, 2019
An Act To Rename the Maine International Trade Center the Maine 
Trade Center and To Establish within the Center International and 
Domestic Export Branches
Reference to the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and 
Business suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham.
Cosponsored by Senator DILL of Penobscot and
Representatives: BABINE of Scarborough, CROCKETT of Portland, DAUGHTRY of 
Brunswick, DENK of Kennebunk, GROHOSKI of Ellsworth, PERRY of Bangor.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §13070-C, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §3, is amended to 
read:
§13070-C.  Trade Director
1.  Appointment.  The Governor shall appoint a full-time International Trade 
Director, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over business and economic development matters and confirmation by the 
Legislature, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.  The director shall report to 
the commissioner in the execution of the director's responsibilities.
2.  Duties.  The International Trade Director shall implement the State's policies with 
respect to development of international and domestic trade opportunities for the State's 
businesses and citizens.  The director shall serve as the State's diplomat and shall 
advocate within the State and abroad on behalf of the State and the State's international 
community.
The director shall serve as the president of the Maine International Trade Center upon 
confirmation by the center's Board of Directors of the Maine International Trade Center.  
The director shall oversee activities of the center and has the duties and responsibilities as 
provided in Title 10, chapter 107-B.
Sec. 2.  5 MRSA §13141, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 95, §5, is 
amended to read:
B.  To advise the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the 
Maine International Trade Center, the Maine Technology Institute and other state 
agencies of the needs of a targeted industry;
Sec. 3.  10 MRSA §11, sub-§4, ¶B, as amended by PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6; PL 
2007, c. 266, §1; and PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5, is further amended to read:
B.  The following 4 commissioners or the commissioners' designees of the following 
departments and the president or the president's designee of the Maine International 
Trade Center who serve as ex officio, nonvoting members:
(1)  Department of Labor;
(3)  Department of Environmental Protection;
(4)  Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; and
(5)  Department of Health and Human Services.
Sec. 4.  10 MRSA §11, sub-§9, ¶D, as amended by PL 2007, c. 266, §3, is further 
amended to read:
D.  Shall maintain active communications with and submit an annual report to the 
Governor, the Legislature, the Attorney General, municipalities, Maine's 
congressional delegation, the Maine International Trade Center, the Maine Municipal 
Association, the United States Trade Representative's Office, the National 
Conference of State Legislatures and the National Association of Attorneys General 
or the successor organization of any of these groups.  The commission shall make the 
report easily accessible to the public by way of a publicly accessible site on the 
Internet maintained by the State.  The report must contain information acquired 
pursuant to activities under paragraph B and may contain information acquired 
pursuant to activities under paragraph C;
Sec. 5.  10 MRSA §13, sub-§§3 and 4, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 385, §1, are 
further amended to read:
3.  Receipt of request for trade agreement.  When a communication from the 
United States Trade Representative concerning a trade agreement provision is received by 
the State, the Governor shall submit a copy of the communication and the proposed trade 
agreement, or relevant provisions of the trade agreement, to the chairs of the commission, 
the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Maine 
International Trade Center and the joint standing committees of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over state and local government matters and business, research and economic 
development matters.
4.  Review by commission.  The commission, in consultation with the Maine 
International Trade Center, shall review and analyze the trade agreement and issue a 
report on the potential impact on the State of agreeing to be bound by the trade 
agreement, including any necessary implementing legislation, to the Legislature and the 
Governor.
Sec. 6.  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 international and domestic market.  The center provides a source of leadership, 
coordination and a shared vision for international and domestic 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 international and domestic 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. 7.  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 international and domestic 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 worldwide international and 
domestic markets.
3.  Development of programs.  The center shall act as a catalyst in the development 
and coordination of international and domestic programs.
4.  Public policy.  The center shall underscore the importance of international and 
domestic trade as a priority of public policy and to enhance public appreciation of the 
relevance of the international and domestic economy.
5.  Information.  The center shall provide information necessary to transact 
international and domestic business and to make effective decisions concerning 
international and domestic trade and policy.
6.  Infrastructure.  The center shall support the development and availability of an 
overall infrastructure conducive to international and domestic business.
7.  Dissemination of programs.  The center shall promote the development and 
dissemination of education, training and technical assistance programs appropriate for 
foreign countries.
8.  Market opportunities.  The center shall identify market opportunities and 
potential contracts in foreign countries that match the technologies and expertise 
available in the State and coordinate and submit appropriate proposal responses.
9.  Database.  The center shall maintain an international and domestic commerce 
data base database to assist in making program decisions.
10.  Branches.  The center shall establish international and domestic export branches 
within the center.
Sec. 8.  10 MRSA §945-C, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended 
to read:
The Board of Directors of the Maine International Trade Center, referred to in this 
chapter as the "board of directors," consists of 7 directors elected from the membership 
and 5 directors appointed by the Governor.  Each director is entitled to one vote.  Board 
members' terms must be staggered as determined in the bylaws of the center.
Sec. 9.  10 MRSA §945-C, sub-§§2 and 4, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, 
are amended to read:
2.  Governor-selected directors.  The Governor shall select 5 directors, one of 
whom must be the International Trade Director at the Department of Economic and 
Community Development.  The other 4 directors must have international business or 
professional experience.
4.  President.  The International Trade Director at the Department of Economic and 
Community Development shall serve as the president of the center upon confirmation by 
a majority of the board of directors.  Once every 2 years, the Governor shall submit the 
International Trade Director's name to the board of directors for reappointment.  
Reappointment is subject to confirmation by a majority of the board of directors.
Sec. 10.  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 international and domestic 
trade;
F.  Serve as the State's diplomat, providing leadership in the area of international and 
domestic trade and advocating within the State and abroad on behalf of the State's 
international and domestic trade community; and
Sec. 11.  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 international and 
domestic trade in the State and to charge such fees for these services as it determines 
appropriate;
Sec. 12.  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 international and domestic trade in those 
communities and the State.
Sec. 13.  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 international and domestic trade development effort in the 
State and may not be construed as a limitation of powers.
Sec. 14.  23 MRSA §4421, first ¶, as repealed and replaced by PL 2007, c. 134, 
§4, is amended to read:
The Maine Port Authority consists of a board of directors, referred to in this section 
as "the board."  The board consists of 7 directors who must be broadly representative of 
the State and must have a background in international trade, marine transportation, 
finance or economic development.  Five directors are appointed by the Governor, each to 
serve for 4 years.  The Commissioner of Transportation serves as an ex officio member of 
the board and as chair of the board and president.  The president of the Maine 
International Trade Center serves as an ex officio member of the board.  The directors 
shall elect a vice-chair, treasurer and other officers as the board determines necessary.  A 
vacancy must be filled for an unexpired term by the Governor.
Sec. 15.  Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause.  In 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, chapter 107-B, in the chapter headnote, the words 
"Maine international trade center" are amended to read "Maine trade center" and the 
Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or 
republishing the statutes.
SUMMARY
This bill changes the name of the Maine International Trade Center to the Maine 
Trade Center and directs the center to establish international and domestic export 
branches within the center.