Sec. 1. 5 MRSA c. 311, as amended, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §13060-A is enacted to read:

§13060-A.__Regional economic development program relocation

requirement

To be eligible for state funding, a regional economic development organization established under the department must relocate every 5 years to a municipality that is located at least 30 miles from the current location but within the region or county in which the program is located.

Sec. 3. Abolition of State Planning Office; implementation. The Department of Economic and Community Development shall review the functions, duties and responsibilities of the State Planning Office. The department shall prepare a proposal that reallocates essential functions of the State Planning Office to other state agencies, bureaus or departments. The department shall present its proposal, along with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development no later than December 10, 2003. Following receipt and review of the report, the Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development may report out to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature legislation based on the report.

Sec. 4. Effective date. That section of this Act that repeals the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 311 takes effect July 15, 2005.

SUMMARY

This bill requires that a regional economic development organization must relocate every 5 years to a municipality that is physically located at least 30 miles from the current location in order to be eligible for state funding. It also abolishes the State Planning Office within the Executive Department.