Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1934
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: SACHS, DUSON, CLOUTIER, COPELAND, GERE, GOLEK, MALON, MATLACK, RANA, SARGENT

Legislative Document
No. 1934
H.P. 1242
House of Representatives, May 15, 2023
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning 
Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative SACHS of Freeport.
Cosponsored by Senator DUSON of Cumberland and
Representatives: CLOUTIER of Lewiston, COPELAND of Saco, GERE of Kennebunkport, 
GOLEK of Harpswell, MALON of Biddeford, MATLACK of St. George, RANA of Bangor, 
SARGENT of York.
Sec. 1. Review of planning grants and technical assistance to communities 
in this State. Resolved: That the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future shall review 
opportunities and structural changes in the organization of State Government and make 
recommendations that will result in the improved coordination and implementation of 
planning grants and technical assistance programs for communities in this State and 
regional planning and development organizations. The review must:
1. Consider the municipal planning grants and technical assistance needs of 
communities, especially the smallest and most underfunded communities, particularly 
related to navigating complex challenges, including, but not limited to, land use planning, 
climate resilience, natural resource protection, transportation, housing development, 
economic development and infrastructure;
2. Consider state programs that currently exist to provide municipal planning grants 
and technical assistance to communities in this State to help them address those needs, and 
identify gaps in services and geographic coverage;
3. Consider mechanisms to support municipalities and regional planning and 
development organizations in competing for ongoing competitive state and federal funding 
opportunities;
4. Recommend the most effective organizational structure for state-funded programs 
that support local government to ensure that municipalities and regional planning and 
development organizations that support communities have the support they need in a 
coordinated, easily accessible manner with fewer points of entry; and
5. Recommend the optimal organizational structure and staffing configurations and 
include a summary of budget implications to improve coordination and implementation of 
planning grants and technical assistance.
Sec. 2. Consultation. Resolved: That the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future 
shall consult with diverse stakeholders, including representatives of municipalities and 
regional planning and development organizations, to provide input on their needs and 
recommendations, and the office shall coordinate recommendations with leadership and 
staff from the state agencies that manage programs and grant funds across State 
Government that support community planning and technical assistance, including the 
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Department of Community and 
Economic Development, the Department of Marine Resources, the Department of 
Transportation, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of 
Environmental Protection, and coordinate with the Department of Administrative and 
Financial Services to consider and develop recommendations regarding any budget and 
staffing issues.
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future shall 
submit a report including proposed legislation and financial and staffing implications with 
regard to its review and consultation under this resolve to the Joint Standing Committee on 
State and Local Government and the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and 
Financial Affairs by December 6, 2023.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to review 
opportunities and structural changes in the organization of State Government and make 
recommendations that will result in the improved coordination and implementation of 
planning grants and technical assistance programs for communities in this State and 
regional planning and development organizations. The office must consult with diverse 
stakeholders when conducting its review and report to the Joint Standing Committee on 
State and Local Government and the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and 
Financial Affairs by December 6, 2023.