Sec. 1. 39-A MRSA §153-A, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 486, §4, is amended to read:

3. Advocates. The executive director shall hire advocates under the authority of section 152, subsection 3, subject to the Civil Service Law, who must be qualified by experience and training. The executive director shall hire sufficient advocates in order to maintain an active caseload of no more than 100 cases per advocate.

A. The minimum qualifications for employment as an advocate must include at least the following:

(1) A 6-year combination of appropriate experience, education and training in advocacy or dispute resolution;

(2) Knowledge of administrative, adjudicatory or workers' compensation laws, rules and procedures;

(3) Knowledge of legal documents, court procedures and rules of evidence; and

(4) Knowledge of medical and legal terminology and practices with respect to workers' compensation.

B. The board shall ensure that advocates receive appropriate and ongoing education and training.

C. An advocate may not represent before the board any insurer, self-insurer or 3rd-party administrator for a period of 2 years after terminating employment with the board.

Sec. 2. 39-A MRSA §154, sub-§6, as amended by PL 1999, c. 359, §1, is further amended to read:

6. Assessment levied. The assessments levied under this section may not be designed to produce more than $6,000,000 in revenues annually beginning in the 1995-96 fiscal year, more than $6,600,000 annually beginning in the 1997-98 fiscal year or, more than $6,735,000 beginning in the 1999-00 fiscal year or more than $7,335,000 beginning in fiscal year 2001-02. Assessments collected that exceed $6,000,000 beginning in the 1995-96 fiscal year, $6,600,000 beginning in the 1997-98 fiscal year or, $6,735,000 beginning in the 1999-00 fiscal year or $7,335,000 beginning in fiscal year 2001-02 by a margin of more than 10% must be refunded to those who paid the assessment. Any amount