Whereas, the task force established by the State Planning Office needs to deal with the solid waste management issues as soon as possible; and

Whereas, if the task force does not meet soon, the State's solid waste capacity limit will be reached; and

Whereas, it is necessary for the task force to be able to report by January 1, 2000; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §2123-B, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 588, §3, is amended to read:

§ 2123-B. Review of policy

In conjunction with revisions of the plan every 5 years or as determined appropriate by the office, the office shall establish a broad-based task force, including Legislators from the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resource matters and representatives of groups interested in commercial landfill solid waste management policy. The task force shall review state solid waste management policy regarding the development of commercial solid waste disposal facilities, including the timeline and establishment process for the development of a state-owned solid waste disposal facility; host community benefits; the development of commercial solid waste facilities and the economic competitiveness of commercial facilities; the appropriateness of developing regional disposal facilities to better serve municipalities and businesses; and the proper role of municipal zoning and other local control in regard to siting, expansion and operation of solid waste disposal facilities and shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the department and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resource matters.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.