Resolve, To Advance College Affordability by Convening a Task Force To Recommend a Sustainable Funding Model for Maintaining Maine's Public Higher Education Infrastructure
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1283
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: JORGENSEN, MILLETT, DUNPHY, HUBBELL, KORNFIELD, MARTIN, PIERCE, STEWART

Legislative Document
No. 1283
H.P. 925
House of Representatives, March 14, 2019
Resolve, To Advance College Affordability by Convening a Task 
Force To Recommend a Sustainable Funding Model for Maintaining 
Maine's Public Higher Education Infrastructure
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative JORGENSEN of Portland.
Cosponsored by Senator MILLETT of Cumberland and
Representatives: DUNPHY of Old Town, HUBBELL of Bar Harbor, KORNFIELD of Bangor, 
MARTIN of Eagle Lake, PIERCE of Falmouth, STEWART of Presque Isle.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Task Force To Recommend a Sustainable Funding Model for 
Maintaining Maine's Public Higher Education Infrastructure is convened by this 
legislation to study how to adequately fund the infrastructure and related needs of public 
higher education institutions in the State; 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 Chancellor of the 
University of Maine System shall convene a task force, to be known as the Task Force To 
Recommend a Sustainable Funding Model for Maintaining Maine's Public Higher 
Education Infrastructure, referred to in this resolve as "the task force."
Sec. 2.  Task force membership.  Resolved:  That the task force consists of 7 
members as follows:
1.  The Chancellor of the University of Maine System or the chancellor's designee, 
who shall serve as the task force chair;
2.  The President of the Maine Community College System or the president's 
designee;
3.  The President of the Maine Maritime Academy or the president's designee;
4.  The Director of the Bureau of General Services within the Department of 
Administrative and Financial Services or the director's designee;
5.  The director of school facilities within the Department of Education;
6.  The Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine or the chief 
executive officer's designee; and
7.  A member appointed by the Chancellor of the University of Maine System with 
relevant experience or expertise in finance or facilities management and planning.
Sec. 3.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the task force shall study how to provide 
adequate supplemental funding to sustain the State's public higher education 
infrastructure without burdening students who are residents of the State with 
unreasonable tuition and fee increases.  The task force shall consider, but may not be 
limited to considering, infrastructure improvements, health and safety repairs, technology 
improvements, energy efficiency and equipment upgrades and, when necessary, new 
construction.
Sec. 4.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the University of Maine System, the 
Maine Community College System and the Maine Maritime Academy shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the task force, as well as all requested and available data.
Sec. 5.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than January 2, 2020, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and 
Financial Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.  
The joint standing committees may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of 
the 129th Legislature related to the subject matter of the report.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Chancellor of the University of Maine System to convene a 
task force, to be named the Task Force To Recommend a Sustainable Funding Model for 
Maintaining Maine's Public Higher Education Infrastructure, to study how to provide 
adequate supplemental funding to sustain the State's public higher education 
infrastructure without burdening students who are residents of the State with 
unreasonable tuition and fee increases.  The task force is directed to consider, but is not 
limited to considering, infrastructure improvements, health and safety repairs, technology 
improvements, energy efficiency and equipment upgrades and, when necessary, new 
construction.  The task force is directed to report to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Appropriations and Financial Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Education and 
Cultural Affairs by January 2, 2020.  The joint standing committees are authorized to 
submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.