Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §972, as amended by PL 1989, c. 503, Pt. B, §42, is further amended to read:

§972. Potato Marketing Improvement Committee

There is established an advisory committee, as authorized by Title 5, section 12004-H, subsection 10, of 10 members to be known as the Potato Marketing Improvement Committee. The Potato Marketing Improvement Committee shall advise the commissioner on the development and implementation of improved potato marketing systems, including the modernization, construction and operation of storage and central packing facilities. The Potato Marketing Improvement Committee shall also advise the commissioner concerning the funding and expenditures of the Potato Marketing Improvement Fund created pursuant to Title 10, section 973 1023- N. The commissioner shall appoint one member representing the University of Maine System, one member representing the Farmers Home Administration, one member representing the Farm Credit System, one member representing the Department of Economic and Community Development and one member representing the public. Each executive council established pursuant to Title 36, section 4603, subsection 3, shall appoint one person to serve as a member of the committee. The commissioner and the executive councils shall appoint as members persons with education, training or experience relevant to the development and implementation of improved potato marketing systems, including the modernization, construction and operation of storage and central packing facilities and with an understanding of the importance of those facilities for potato quality and marketing. When the commissioner finds it appropriate, the members representing the Farmers Home Administration and the Farm Credit System may serve as a loan review committee and advise the commissioner, on a confidential basis, on applications for funding.

Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §973, as amended by PL 1993, c. 699, §5, is repealed.

Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §973-A is enacted to read:

§973-A.__Administration of Potato Marketing Improvement Fund

The commissioner shall administer the Potato Marketing Improvement Fund established under Title 10, section 1023-N.

Sec. 4. 7 MRSA §974-A, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1999, c. 127, Pt. A, §14, is further amended to read: