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Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §12542, sub-§6, ¶¶A and B  are enacted to read:
 
A.  The department shall notify superintendents about the program annually and encourage the superintendents to publicize the availability of the program among students, parents and school staff.
 
B.  The Department of Labor shall require that publicly funded workforce development programs, including state and local workforce investment boards and the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program established in Title 26, section 2033, include within their plans and programs efforts to promote and increase awareness of the program.
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §12542, sub-§§7 and 8  are enacted to read:
 
7.  Promotion by institutions.     Public higher education institutions identified in section 12541, subsection 1, paragraphs A to C shall make reasonable efforts to inform students about the program.
 
8.  Publicity.     To assist institutions of higher education to promote the program, the Finance Authority of Maine shall contract with a private nonprofit corporation in the amount of at least $20,000 annually to market the program throughout the State, targeting high schools, postsecondary educational institutions and organizations of parents, teachers and other relevant audiences. Marketing efforts must include printed materials, online information and in-person promotional efforts.
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE
 
Educational Opportunity Tax Credit Marketing Fund N158
 
Initiative: Provides funds for the administrative costs associated with contracting with a private nonprofit corporation to market the Job Creation Through Educational Opportunity Program.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15	
All Other	$2,000	$2,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$2,000	$2,000	

Educational Opportunity Tax Credit Marketing Fund N158
 
Initiative: Provides funds to contract with a private nonprofit corporation to market the Job Creation Through Educational Opportunity Program throughout the State.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15	
All Other	$20,000	$20,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$20,000	$20,000	

FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2013-14	2014-15	
			
GENERAL FUND	$22,000	$22,000	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$22,000	$22,000	
 
’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment, which is the majority report, removes the provisions of the bill that modify the educational opportunity tax credit and modifies the provisions of the bill regarding promotion of the Job Creation Through Educational Opportunity Program. The amendment:
1. Requires the Department of Education to notify superintendents annually about the program and encourage the superintendents to publicize the availability of the program among students, parents and school staff;
2. Retains the requirement in the bill that the Department of Labor require that publicly funded workforce development programs, including state and local workforce investment boards and the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program, include within their plans and programs efforts to promote and increase awareness of the program;
3. Directs the Maine Community College System, the University of Maine System and the Maine Maritime Academy to make reasonable efforts to inform students about the program;
4. Directs the Finance Authority of Maine, instead of the Department of Education as in the bill, to contract with a private nonprofit corporation in the amount of at least $20,000 annually to market the program throughout the State; and
5. Adds an appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)