The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the commissioner's designee, the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or the commissioner's designee, the Director of the State Planning Office within the Executive Department or the director's designee and the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the commissioner's designee serve as nonvoting members; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the Senate member is the Senate chair of the task force and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 30 days after appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force. The task force may hold up to 6 meetings; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall examine the following issues concerning Maine's laws and rules governing stormwater regulation with the goal of improving the laws to protect the waters of the State from the cumulative impacts of development in more heavily developed watersheds. In its review, the task force shall:

1. Review available information on water bodies that fail to attain their water quality classification due to the effects of stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces or disturbed land;

2. Review available information on the cumulative effects of stormwater watersheds and water bodies, including rivers and streams, that are most at risk from development;

3. Review current best management practices for stormwater treatment;

4. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing permits, permit conditions, compliance and enforcement efforts to protect water quality from stormwater impacts in the State;

5. Review information on stormwater regulation in other states, under federal Environmental Protection Act programs, and by municipalities;

6. Recommend changes in the State's existing stormwater law and site location law to be more protective of watersheds where existing development and cumulative impacts from all types of development continue to impact water quality;

7. Develop recommendations for alternative fee programs to fund necessary stormwater management programs at the state and local level, including long-term efforts to inspect, maintain and upgrade or retrofit stormwater management systems in impaired or at-risk watersheds;

8. Develop recommendations for encouraging the creation of stormwater utility districts; and

9. Develop recommendations for bringing older developments that are not currently subject to the State's stormwater regulations up to current standards for stormwater treatment.

The task force may establish additional advisory work groups as it considers appropriate; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further

Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the legislative members of the task force are entitled to receive legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at meetings of the task force. Public members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized meetings of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources and the Legislative Council by November 6, 2002. The task force is authorized to introduce legislation related to its report to the First Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature at the time of submission of its report; and be it further

Sec. 9. Extension. Resolved: That, if the task force requires a limited extension of time to complete its study and make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant an extension; and be it further

Sec. 10. Task force budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the task force, with assistance from the task force staff, shall administer the task force's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the task force shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The task force may not incur expenses that would result in the task force exceeding its approved budget.

Upon request from the task force, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council or the executive director's designee shall promptly provide the task force chairs and staff with a status report on the study budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the Task Force to Study the Effectiveness of Stormwater Management in Developed Watersheds.