1. Targeting transportation, economic and business development funds to assist in renovations to meet the contemporary needs of retail and office businesses and to provide appropriate access to and circulation within downtowns;

2. Encouraging the development and redevelopment of mixed-use spaces, including residential units, in downtowns;

3. Providing outreach and active technical assistance to communities that have state offices or facilities that serve clients to attract state facility development and other downtown business opportunities; and

4. Reviewing and, as appropriate, making recommendations for changes to building, safety and accessibility codes that will continue to promote the purposes of these codes while streamlining and enhancing the ability to renovate downtown structures for productive and economical use.

The Department of Economic and Community Development shall work with the Bureau of General Services within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, the Department of Transportation, the Maine State Housing Authority, the Finance Authority of Maine, the State Fire Marshal, the State Planning Office within the Executive Department, the Maine Human Rights Commission and other state agencies in developing this state policy. It shall submit a report, including its proposed policy and any implementing legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business and economic development matters by January 15, 2001. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business and economic development matters may report out a bill to the First Regular Session of the 120th Legislature concerning the proposed policy.

Sec. 13. Task Force to Study Growth Management. The Task Force to Study Growth Management, referred to in this section as the "task force," is established.

1. The task force consists of 16 members appointed as follows:

A. One member from the Senate who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources, appointed by the President of the Senate;