Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Develop Strategies To Protect Towns

Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force To Develop Strategies To Protect Towns, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established. The purpose of the task force is to assist municipalities with a narrow commercial base; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 7 members as follows:

1. Two members of the Senate who are members of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, appointed by the President of the Senate;

2. Two members of the House of Representatives who are members of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. A member of a school board representing a municipality that is dependent on or has lost its one major industry or suffers economically due to a lack of a diversified economy or commercial base, appointed by the President of the Senate;

4. A municipal official representing a municipality that is dependent on or has lost its one major industry or suffers economically due to a lack of a diversified economy or commercial base, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

5. The State Tax Assessor or the State Tax Assessor's designee, who serves as an ex officio member; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force, which must be no later than 30 days following the appointment of all members; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall study municipalities that have lost their only major industry, rely on only one major industry or otherwise are dependent on or suffer economically due to a lack of a diversified economy or commercial base. The task force shall review state law and policies affecting these municipalities, including the system of school funding pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 606-B, state-municipal revenue sharing, assistance programs and other state policies and programs to develop a plan and a strategy to assist the municipalities in developing the existing commercial base or transitioning to a new commercial base, attracting and retaining industries and workers and diversifying the municipalities' economies, including:

1. Assisting existing businesses and industries in attracting additional business and market share and capital and revenue from sources outside the local community;

2. Assisting existing businesses and industries by training workers with new skills and expertise to allow growth and expansion of the commercial base;

3. Upgrading existing local infrastructure, including transportation networks and Internet broadband services;

4. Exploring creative alternatives for new economic bases, industries or occupations;

5. Reviewing municipal services, tax policies and conditions to create a better climate for and relationship with businesses and industries;

6. Reviewing local schools to make improvements that attract high-quality workers and businesses and focus on areas of education desired by local industry;

7. Reviewing and implementing programs to assist local businesses and industries in investing and growing locally, including providing financing for new equipment or energy efficiency measures;

8. Reviewing local conditions to increase quality of life, shopping and recreational opportunities and other local factors to attract or retain high-quality workers and businesses;

9. Implementing various tax exemption and government incentive programs to attract and retain businesses and industries; and

10. Developing mutually beneficial partnerships with neighboring communities; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 2, 2015, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development. The Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development may report out legislation based upon the report for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.

SUMMARY

This resolve creates the Task Force To Develop Strategies To Protect Towns. The task force will examine ways of assisting municipalities in developing and strengthening their commercial bases. The task force is required to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development.