Whereas, law enforcement agencies and retail merchants in this State have seen increasing evidence that counterfeit goods are being brought into this State to be sold to unsuspecting consumers; and

Whereas, the sale of these counterfeit goods reduces the opportunity of legitimate merchants to compete in the marketplace; and

Whereas, the sale of these counterfeit goods is often undertaken by unlicensed individuals and results in lost revenue to the State; and

Whereas, the use of counterfeit Universal Price Code, "UPC," labels is also increasing in this State and results in lost revenue to the State and to its merchants; and

Whereas, the public health and well-being of the citizens of this State may be threatened by the unauthorized sale of certain consumer goods, such as infant formulas, cosmetics, personal care products, nonprescription drugs and medical devices, at unused property markets or flea markets; and

Whereas, no formal study has been done to evaluate the extent of these growing practices that threaten the public health and safety and the need of any necessary governmental response or oversight; 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

Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force to Study Counterfeiting and the Unauthorized Sale of Consumer Goods and Labels, referred to in this resolve as the "task force," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Appointments. Resolved: That appointments to the task force must be made within 30 days of the effective date of this resolve. The task force consists of the following members appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

1. The Governor shall appoint 3 members, one representing state law enforcement, one representing municipal law enforcement and one representing retail merchants.