Whereas, access to higher education represents the future of the State; and

Whereas, it is imperative that the State help its citizens acquire degrees of higher learning; and

Whereas, in order to achieve this goal the State must ensure that the University of Maine System is equipped with the means to provide education services in the most cost-efficient manner possible without sacrificing its mission of quality; and

Whereas, in an effort to ensure the continued strength of the University of Maine System and its campuses, the Board of Trustees of the University of Maine System has crafted a strategic plan that contains the board's vision, strategies and recommendations for academic and administrative restructuring of the University of Maine System; and

Whereas, the strategic plan endorsed by the trustees has far- reaching implications; and

Whereas, because it is the Legislature that has the ultimate accountability to the public for the direction and mission of the University of Maine System, it is necessary that the Legislature be given the opportunity to review and approve the strategic plan prior to the implementation of the plan; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §10909 is enacted to read:

§10909.__Restructuring plans; review and approval by Legislature

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including, but not limited to, Private and Special Law 1865, chapter 532, as amended, the trustees may not finally adopt or implement any plan to reorganize the academic or administrative structure of the university, referred to in this section as "the restructuring