Resolve, To Require the Department of Marine Resources and the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability To Conduct an Independent Review and Audit of the Public Health Division

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  it is essential to conduct a review and audit of program procedures in the Public Health Division of the Department of Marine Resources; and

Whereas,  the review and audit must be completed prior to the next shellfish harvesting season; 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

Sec. 1. Independent review and audit. Resolved: That the Department of Marine Resources and the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability shall cooperate in identifying the funds and independent evaluation personnel necessary to conduct a review and audit of program procedures and protocol of the water quality assessment functions of the Public Health Division of the Department of Marine Resources, and shall facilitate the implementation of such a review. The review and audit must evaluate the current procedures of the Public Health Division and compare those procedures to federal standards and industry best practices. The Department of Marine Resources and the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability shall submit the report, together with any recommendations for actions necessary to ensure fulfillment of federal standards and industry best practices, to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources no later than December 1, 2007.

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

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Marine Resources and the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability to facilitate the implementation of an independent review and audit of program procedures and protocol of the water quality assessment functions of the Public Health Division of the Department of Marine Resources.