An Act Regarding the Committee Structure of the State Workforce Board
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0120
Committee: Labor and Housing
Sponsors: DAUGHTRY, ROEDER, GERE
Amends: 26 MRSA §2006

Legislative Document
No. 120
S.P. 59
In Senate, January 9, 2023
An Act Regarding the Committee Structure of the State Workforce 
Board
Submitted by the Department of Labor pursuant to Joint Rule 204.
Reference to the Committee on Labor and Housing suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator DAUGHTRY of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative ROEDER of Bangor and
Representative: GERE of Kennebunkport.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  26 MRSA §2006, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 246, §4, is amended 
to read:
2-A.  Membership.  The board consists of the Governor, or the Governor's designee, 
and, at a minimum, the following members:
A.  Representatives from business and industry, representatives from organized labor 
and representatives of other interests as determined by the Governor. These 
appointments are subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over labor matters and confirmation by the Legislature; and
B.  The following ex officio members:
(1)  County commissioners designated by local boards appointed by the Governor;
(2)  The Commissioner of Labor or the commissioner's designee;
(3)  The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee;
(4)  The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the 
commissioner's designee; and
(5)  Other state, county or municipal officials as the Governor considers necessary 
appointed by the Governor.
The appointments of these members are not subject to review by the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor matters or confirmation by 
the Legislature.
Appointments must be consistent with the representation requirements of the Workforce 
Innovation and Opportunity Act. The Governor shall ensure that the board has sufficient 
expertise to effectively carry out the duties and functions of the board.  Members must 
represent diverse geographic areas of the State, including urban, rural and suburban areas.
Sec. 2.  26 MRSA §2006, sub-§5-B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 110, §17, is further 
amended to read:
5-B.  Commission on Disability and Employment.  In addition to its other duties, the 
board, through its Commission on Disability and Employment, a standing committee 
created pursuant to subsection 7, paragraph A, subparagraph  (2) and referred to in this 
subsection as "the standing committee," shall perform the duties of the former Governor's 
Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.
A.  The standing committee shall:
(1)  Advise, consult and assist the executive and legislative branches of State 
Government on activities of State Government that affect the employment of 
disabled individuals with disabilities.  The standing committee is solely advisory 
in nature.  The standing committee may advise regarding state and federal plans 
and proposed budgetary, legislative or policy actions affecting disabled individuals 
with disabilities;
(2)  Serve as an advocate on behalf of disabled citizens with disabilities promoting 
and assisting activities designed to further equal opportunity for people individuals 
with disabilities;
(3)  Conduct educational programs considered necessary to promote public 
understanding of the employment-related needs and abilities of disabled citizens 
of this State with disabilities;
(4)  Provide information, training and technical assistance to promote greater 
employer acceptance of disabled workers with disabilities;
(5)  Advise and assist employers and other organizations interested in developing 
employment opportunities for disabled people individuals with disabilities; and
(6)  Work with state and local government officials, organizations representing 
persons individuals with disabilities and the business community to inform the 
public of the benefits of making facilities and services accessible to and usable by 
individuals with disabilities.
B.  The standing committee shall administer in accordance with current fiscal and 
accounting regulations of the State, and in accordance with the philosophy, objectives 
and authority of this subsection, any funds appropriated for expenditure by the standing 
committee or any grants or gifts that may become available and are accepted and 
received by the standing committee.
C.  The standing committee shall submit an annual report directly to the Governor and 
the Legislature not later than January 1st of each year concerning its work, 
recommendations and interest of the previous fiscal year and future plans.  The 
standing committee shall make any interim reports it considers advisable.
D.  The standing committee shall keep minutes of all meetings, including a list of 
people in attendance.
E.  The standing committee may employ, subject to the Civil Service Law, the staff 
necessary to carry out its objectives.  The standing committee may employ consultants 
and contract for projects it determines necessary.  To the extent feasible and reasonable, 
the standing committee must be given the staff, facilities, equipment, supplies, 
information and other assistance required to carry out its activities.
F.  The standing committee may make necessary rules, consistent with this subsection, 
for promoting its purposes.
Sec. 3.  26 MRSA §2006, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2017, c. 110, §19, is further 
amended to read:
7.  Committee structure Committees.  The board has the following committee 
structure may establish committees as necessary to meet the strategic vision of the board 
and to address specific problems and issues that arise.  A committee established pursuant 
to this subsection shall make recommendations to the full board.
A.  The board shall create 6 standing committees.  The standing committees shall make 
recommendations to the full board.  The 6 standing committees are as follows:
(1)  Younger workers;
(2)  Commission on Disability and Employment;
(3)  Women's employment issues;
(4)  Older workers;
(5)  Veterans employment; and
(6)  The Program Partners Committee.  Organizations with representation on the 
Program Partners Committee may include, but are not limited to, organizations that 
conduct programs or activities as specified in Section 121(b)(1)(B) of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
B.  The board may create committees in addition to those in paragraph A to address 
specific problems and issues.  These committees shall make recommendations to the 
full board.
D.  The standing committees under paragraph A committee established pursuant to this 
subsection may receive and accept, from any source, allocations, appropriations, loans, 
grants and contributions of money or other things of value to be held, used or applied 
to carry out this section, subject to the conditions upon which the loans, grants and 
contributions may be made, including, but not limited to, appropriations, allocations, 
loans, grants or gifts from a private source, federal agency or governmental subdivision 
of the State or its agencies.
SUMMARY
This bill changes the State Workforce Board's committee structure by removing 
provisions setting out named committees and replacing them with language giving the 
board authority to create committees as necessary.  It also allows the Governor's designee 
to serve as a member of the board.