Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §56 is enacted to read:

§56.__Maine Regulatory Fairness Board established

The Maine Regulatory Fairness Board, referred to in this section as the "board," is established to hear testimony and to report to the Legislature and the Governor at least annually on regulatory and statutory changes necessary to enhance the State's business climate.

1.__Membership.__The board consists of 5 members who are owners, operators or officers of businesses operating in the State.__The members, at least 3 of whom must represent businesses with fewer than 50 employees, are appointed by the Governor.__No member of the board may be an officer or employee of State Government.

2.__Terms of appointment.__Of the initial appointees, the first 2 members appointed by the Governor will serve 3-year terms; the next 2 members appointed by the Governor will serve 2- year terms; the last member appointed by the Governor will serve a one-year term.__Upon completion of the initial terms of office pursuant to this subsection, each member appointed to the board must be appointed to serve a 3-year term.__No member may serve more than 3 consecutive terms.

3.__Chair; election of board officers; quorum.__The members of the board shall annually elect a chair and a vice-chair from among the board members.__A majority of members of the board constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the board's business, except a lesser number may hold public hearings.

4.__Duties of board.__The board shall:

A.__Meet at least once each quarter in a different region of the State to hear testimony from businesses regarding their concerns about enforcement activities of State departments and agencies; and

B.__Report to the Governor and the Legislature at least annually on complaints of excessive enforcement actions against businesses by departments and agencies of State Government. The report also must include recommendations for regulatory and statutory changes, if any, that will enhance the State's business climate.