Resolve, To Establish the Task Force on Milk Tier Pricing

Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force on Milk Tier Pricing, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 11 members, one of whom is the Executive Director of the Maine Milk Commission. The Executive Director of the Maine Milk Commission shall invite the following to participate as members of the task force:

1. The Executive Director of the Maine Dairy Industry Association;

2. One representative of a large milk processor;

3. One representative of a small milk processor, giving preference to an organic milk processor;

4. One representative of a Maine milk retailer;

5. One representative from each of the 4 milk pricing tiers;

6. One representative from the farm equipment industry; and

7. One representative from the grain industry; and be it further

Sec. 3. Compensation. Resolved: That members of the task force are not entitled to reimbursement for their expenses; and be it further

Sec. 4. Convening of commission; chair. Resolved: That all invitations to join the task force must be made to designated members no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The Executive Director of the Maine Milk Commission shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force, at which the members shall elect a chair from its members; and be it further

Sec. 5. Staffing. Resolved: That, within existing resources, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall provide staffing to the task force; and be it further

Sec. 6. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall study the current dairy stabilization tier program, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, chapter 611, to determine if any modifications are necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the program; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 4, 2013, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The committee is authorized to report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature based on the recommendations of the task force.