An Act to Establish
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1336
Committee Amendment CA_A_H234 (House)
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-K

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A» to H.P. 871, L.D. 1336, "An Act to Establish 
the Maine-Aomori Sister-state Advisory Council" 
. 
Amend the. bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and. insetting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-K, sub-§10-B:is enacted t? 1·ead: 
JO..,B. 
State 
Maine-Aomo'ri Sister-state Advisoiy. . • Not-Authorized 
Government 
Council 
Sec. 2. 10 MRSA c; 1-C is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER1-C 
' 
1,; 
· . l0MRSA 
ill 
MAINE-AOMORI SISTER-STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL 
§31. Maine-Aomori Sister-state Advisop1 Council 
The Maine-Aomori Sister-state Advisory Council. refened to in this .chapter as "the 
council," is established by Title 5, section 12004-K, subsection 10-B to promote and 
cultivate a cooperative sister-state relationship between this State and the Prefecture of 
Aomori, Japan in order to benefit the cit~ens of the sister states. 
1. Members; terms. The council consists of the president of the Maine International 
Trade Center, established pursuant to section 945, or the president's designee and 11 
members who are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor, including: 
A. One member with knowledge and experience in kindergarten to grade 12 education: 
B. One member.with knowledge and experience in public postsecondaiy education: 
C. One member with knowledge and experience in private postsecondary education: 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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(:;OMMITTEEAMENDMENT •A" to H.P. 871, L.D. 1336 
D. One member with knowledge and experience in business and int.emational trade:· 
E. 
One member with knowledge and experience in the humanities, including 
perfonning or visual arts; 
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F. One member with knowledge and experience in. the .sciences; including natural 
resources:. 
G. One member with knowledge _and experience.in tourism: 
H. One mem:ber representing a nonprofit corporation based in the State supporting the 
Maine-Aomori cooperative sister-state relationship;• 
• 
~- Orte member with knowledge and experience in international exchanges; and 
J. Two members representing the general public. 
Appointed members of the council serve 3-year terms .. 
2. Chair; meetings;· compensation. The chafr of the ·council, who is elected.by the 
members of the council, shall preside at, set the agenda for arid schedule councii meetings. 
The council shall meet at least 3 times per year: Meetings must be· open to the public'. 
Members of the council serve without compensation. 
3. Duties. The council serves in an advisory capacity and has the following duties. ' 
A. The council shall identify and assess existing activities and exchanges with the 
Prefecture of Aol'nori and devise strategies to develop cultural, educational and 
commercial opportunities between the sister states. 
• • 
B. The council.shall identify sources of support for sister-state. exchanges, progranis, 
projects and administrative assistance for the council. The council may seek and accept 
in-kind support from outside sources and funding from outside sources to fully fund its 
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4. Report. The council shall submit a report to the Governor and the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic development inatters by 
February 1, 2026 and annually thereafter regarding the activities of the council during the 
preceding calendar year. The report must include recommendations as detennined 
appropriate by the council to effectuate its purpose under this section. After reviewing the 
report under this subsection, the joint standing committee may report out legislation 
relating to the report. 
5. Official contact. The president of the Maiiie International Trade Center, or the 
president's designee, shall serve as the official Maine contact for the Maine-Aomori 
cooperative sister-state relationship. 
Sec. 3. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, 
section 31, subsection 1, of the initial appointed members of the Maine-Aomori Sister-state 
Advisory Council, 4 members serve one-year terms, 4 members serve 2-year terms and 3 
members serve 3-year terms. 
Sec. 4. 
Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; DEPARTMENT OF 
International Commerce 0674 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMIYHTTEE AMENDMENT /A "to H.P. 871, L.D. 1336 
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to support the Maine-Aomori .Sister-state Advisory 
Council. 
GENERAL FUND 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
2025-Z6 
$20,000 
$20,000 
2026-27 
$20,000 
$20,000 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section 
number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment, which replaces the bill, establishes the Maine-Aomori Sister-state 
Advisory Council in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, chapter 1-C, amends the council 
membership composition and requires the council to submit an annual report. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/05/25 L-RL 
LD 1336 
LR 871(02) 
An Act to Establish the Maine-Aomori Sister-state Advisory Council 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'Jf ( ~-13 ~) 
Committee: Housing and Economic Development 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/Allocations 
General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY 2025-26 
$20,000 
$20,000 
FY2026-27 
$20,000 
$20,000 
Projections 
FY 2027-28 
$20,000 
$20,000 
Projections 
FY 2028-29 
$20,000 
$20,000 
This bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations of $20,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2025-26 to the 
Department of Economic and Community Development to support the Maine-Aomori Sister-state Advis01y Council. 
LR0871(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1