Sec. 15. Brownfields initiative; report. The Executive Department, State Planning Office and the Department of Environmental Protection shall undertake an initiative to promote the Maine Municipal Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund administered by the Maine Municipal Bond Bank, and the voluntary response action program, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 343-E, and shall submit a joint report by January 15, 2001 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters with an evaluation of the initiative and recommendations for expanding the redevelopment in the State of abandoned, idled or underused industrial or commercial property where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination, also known as "brownfields."

Sec. 16. Review of state codes. The Office of the State Fire Marshal within the Department of Public Safety shall convene a stakeholders group, including the Department of Public Safety, the Bureau of General Services within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, the Historic Preservation Commission, local code enforcement officers and disability rights advocates, to review state codes and federal regulations that restrict the reuse of existing structures and to recommend revisions to encourage renovation of existing buildings. As part of its review, the stakeholders group shall review New Jersey's rehabilitation subcode for existing buildings undergoing renovations and its applicability to Maine. The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall submit a report with its recommendations by January 15, 2001 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic development matters.

Sec. 17. Model ordinances. The Executive Department, State Planning Office shall work with municipalities and regional planning commissions to develop model land use ordinances that accommodate so-called "smart growth" design standards and provide for flexibility in zoning regulations to allow for traditional, compact development in designated growth areas and to preserve and revitalize existing neighborhoods.

Sec. 18. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2000-01