2.__Technical assistance.__The fund may be used for technical assistance in the formation of a regional school district or regional cooperative in accordance with section 3708.

§3727.__Annual reporting

The commissioner shall annually, on or before December 15th, report to the Governor, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters on the cost savings documented by regional school districts in reports filed pursuant to section 3704, subsection 1 and by regional cooperatives in reports filed pursuant to section 3705, subsection 1.

Sec. 3. Reporting. No later than December 1, 2004, the Department of Education, in consultation with the Executive Department, State Planning Office, shall develop for presentation to and consideration by the First Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature any additional proposed legislation necessary to further clarify and govern the procedures for formation, governance, financing and administration and reorganization of a regional school district or regional cooperative under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 123, including, but not limited to, legislation regarding the procedures governing formation and selection of boards of directors, asset transfer, budget development and approval, district referenda and the addition or withdrawal of a school administrative unit from a regional school district or regional cooperative. Legislation developed pursuant to this section must be substantially similar to that regarding school administrative districts under Title 20- A, chapter 103 and must be consistent with the intents, purposes and provisions of this Act.

Sec. 4. Funding. No later than December 1, 2004, the Department of Education, in consultation with the Executive Department, State Planning Office and other pertinent state agencies, shall review state grant and aid programs for which school administrative units are eligible and shall develop for presentation to and consideration by the First Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature any additional legislation needed to establish funding preferences to encourage formation of regional school districts and regional cooperatives in the manner provided by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 123.