Sec. 1. 5 MRSA c. 12-A is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 12-A

MAINE-CANADA ENVOY

§261.__Office created

The Office of the Maine-Canada Envoy is established within the Executive Department and is autonomous from any other state agency.

§262.__Appointment; term; compensation

The Governor shall appoint an envoy to head the Office of Maine-Canada Envoy, referred to in this chapter as the "envoy," subject to confirmation by the Senate.__The envoy must be chosen without reference to party affiliation and solely on the ground of professional competence to perform the duties of that office. The envoy appointed in 2003 holds office until January 1, 2005.__ Thereafter, the envoy holds office for a term of 4 years.__An envoy may be reappointed.__The compensation of the envoy is fixed by the Governor.

§263.__Duties

The envoy has, upon consent of the Governor, the duties and powers established under the following provisions governing relations with Canada.

1.__Administration.__The envoy shall administer the Office of the Maine-Canada Envoy. In exercising the administration of the office, the envoy shall formulate policies, establish organizational and operational procedures and exercise general supervision. The envoy shall employ, with the approval of the Governor and subject to the Civil Service Law, those assistants as are necessary to carry out this chapter. The envoy shall adopt a seal for use in the official business of the office. The envoy has custody and control of the facilities provided for the administration of this chapter.

2.__Advice.__The envoy shall advise the Governor, the Legislature and the directors of other appropriate state departments or agencies on appropriate steps needed to coordinate state policy and state actions on commerce and other relations with Canadian provinces.