An Act To Establish the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1517
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: CURRY, DAUGHTRY
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-I, 5 MRSA §13120-T

Legislative Document
No. 1517
S.P. 490
In Senate, April 20, 2021
An Act To Establish the Maine Workforce, Research, Development 
and Student Achievement Institute
(AFTER DEADLINE)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on April 15, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 
and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CURRY of Waldo.
Cosponsored by Senator: DAUGHTRY of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§6-I is enacted to read:
6-I.
Economic 
Development
Maine Workforce, 
Research, 
Development and 
Student Achievement 
Institute
Not Authorized
MRSA §13120-T 
Sec. 2.  5 MRSA c. 383, sub-c. 10 is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 10
MAINE WORKFORCE, RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND STUDENT 
ACHIEVEMENT INSTITUTE
§13120-T.  Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement 
Institute
1.  Institute established.  The Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student 
Achievement Institute, as established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 6-I and referred 
to in this subchapter as "the institute," is established to collect and analyze information 
related to workforce training, research and development, student debt and economic 
advancement in the State, to make policy recommendations to the Legislature and to 
conduct targeted research for the Legislature.
2.  Steering committee.  The Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student 
Achievement Institute Steering Committee, referred to in this section as "the steering 
committee," is established to advise the Legislature and the University of Maine System 
on all matters related to the institute.  With the exception of ex officio members, steering 
committee members serve for a term of 2 years as follows:
A.  The President of the Senate shall appoint:
(1)  One member from a private college in the State;
(2)  One member from the Maine Community College System;
(3)  One member from a regional economic development organization serving one 
or more of the following: Aroostook County, Franklin County, Oxford County, 
Piscataquis County, Somerset County and Washington County;
(4)  One member from a statewide organization responsible for business attraction 
and expansion;
(5)  One member involved in adult education;
(6)  One member involved in career and technical education;
(7)  One member employed in the public sector; and
(8)  One member employed in the private sector;
B.  The Speaker of the House shall appoint:
(1)  One House member from the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over innovation, development, economic advancement and 
business matters;  
(2)  One member from the University of Maine System;
(3)  One member from the Maine Municipal Association;
(4)  One member from the department;
(5)  One member from the State Workforce Board, established under Title 26, 
section 2006;
(6)  One member from the Department of Labor;
(7)  One member from a statewide organization representing business interests in 
the State; and
(8)  One member from a state-based organization involved in workforce and 
business policy and development;
C.  The State Economist, who serves ex officio; and
D.  The chief executive officer of the Finance Authority of Maine or the chief executive 
officer's designee, who serves ex officio.
The steering committee shall elect a chair from among its members to serve a term of 2 
years and shall meet at least 4 times each year.
3.  Location and access.  The analysis, recommendations and research results gathered 
pursuant to this subchapter must be maintained by the institute at the University of Maine 
and must be available for use by any interested group or individual.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student 
Achievement Institute and a related steering committee to advise the Legislature on matters 
related to workforce training, research and development, student debt and economic 
advancement in the State.  The bill describes the 18 required steering committee members 
and establishes that each member, other than ex officio members, serves a 2-year term and 
that the steering committee meets at least 4 times per year.