Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Create a Statewide Economic Development Plan
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0288
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: TEPLER, BREEN, BROOKS, DAUGHTRY, FECTEAU, HANDY, HIGGINS, JORGENSEN, MARTIN, VITELLI

Legislative Document
No. 288
H.P. 212
House of Representatives, January 22, 2019
Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Create a Statewide 
Economic Development Plan
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and 
Business suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative TEPLER of Topsham.
Cosponsored by Senator BREEN of Cumberland and
Representatives: BROOKS of Lewiston, DAUGHTRY of Brunswick, FECTEAU of 
Biddeford, HANDY of Lewiston, HIGGINS of Dover-Foxcroft, JORGENSEN of Portland, 
MARTIN of Eagle Lake, Senator: VITELLI of Sagadahoc.
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 Commission To Create a Statewide Economic 
Development Plan to study a number of economic development issues and create a 
strategic, regionally focused economic development plan; 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.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission To Create a 
Statewide Economic Development Plan, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," 
is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 20 members appointed as follows:
1.  Two 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;
2.  Two 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;
3.  The Chancellor of the University of Maine System or the chancellor's designee;
4.  The President of the Maine Community College System or the president's 
designee;
5.  An individual representing a private organization focused on promoting economic 
growth in the State appointed by the President of the Senate;
6.  An individual representing a private research institution appointed by the Speaker 
of the House;
7.  The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the 
commissioner's designee;
8.  The State Economist or the State Economist's designee;
9.  A member of the Maine Economic Growth Council, established in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 10, section 929-A, appointed by the President of the Senate;
10.  A representative of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce appointed by the 
President of the Senate;
11.  A representative of a regional chamber of commerce appointed by the Speaker of 
the House;
12.  The Commissioner of Transportation or the commissioner's designee;
13.  Three members representing business or professional organizations, 2 of whom 
may be representatives of business or professional enterprises based outside of the State 
but that have or have had business interests in the State and that may include foreign 
nationals, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
14.  Three members representing business or professional enterprises, each based in a 
separate region of the State, who may not be in the same industry, including at least one 
representing a business with fewer than 25 employees, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House.
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 
commission.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of commission.  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 commission.  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 commission to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall create a strategic, regionally 
focused economic development plan for the State, including:
1.  An inventory and analysis of the State's competitive advantages and an inventory 
and analysis of factors that tend to retard economic development in the State;
2.  Identification and analysis of state, national and international economic trends 
affecting the State's economic development;
3.  Development of strategies for the promotion of business formation, expansion, 
recruitment and retention through aggressive marketing, international development and 
export assistance and any other strategies identified as advantageous that lead to more 
and better jobs and higher wages for all geographic regions and disadvantaged 
communities and populations of the State, including rural areas;
4.  Development of policies and programs to further economic diversity in the State, 
its regions and their associated industries;
5.  Stimulation of economic development and job creation in rural areas and smaller 
economic regions of the State, including strategies for rural marketing and the 
development of infrastructure, both physical and electronic, in rural areas;
6.  Promotion of the successful long-term economic development of the State with 
increased emphasis in market research and information;
7.  Plans for the generation of foreign investment in the State that creates jobs paying 
above-average wages and that results in reverse investment in the State, including 
programs that establish viable foreign markets, assist in meeting the financing 
requirements of export-ready firms, broaden opportunities for international joint-venture 
relationships, use the resources of academic and other institutions, coordinate trade 
assistance and facilitation services and facilitate availability of and access to education 
and training programs that ensure that requisite skills and competencies necessary to 
compete successfully in the global marketplace are taught;
8.  Identification of business sectors that are of current or future importance to the 
State's economy and to the State's global business image and development of specific 
strategies to promote the development of these sectors;
9.  Strategies for talent development necessary to encourage economic development 
growth in the State, taking into account factors such as the State's talent supply chain, 
education and training opportunities and available workforce; and
10.  Identification of and a strategy for investing in research and development for 
innovation in manufacturing as well as other types of business development.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Department of Economic and 
Community Development shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than 
January 15, 2020, the commission shall submit a preliminary report, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over economic development matters in the Second Regular Session of the 
129th Legislature.  No later than October 1, 2020, the commission shall submit a final 
report that includes its findings and recommendations, which may include suggested 
legislation to implement the plan under section 5 of this resolve and to establish a 
permanent commission to monitor the progress of the plan, for presentation to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic development 
matters in the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Commission To Create a Statewide Economic 
Development Plan to study economic development issues and create a strategic, 
regionally focused economic development plan.