Resolve, To Advance College Affordability by Convening a Task Force To Recommend a Sustainable Funding Model for Maintaining Maine's Public Higher Education Infrastructure

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

Whereas,  the Task Force To Recommend a Sustainable Funding Model for Maintaining Maine's Public Higher Education Infrastructure is convened by this legislation to study how to adequately fund the infrastructure and related needs of public higher education institutions in the State; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; 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. Task force established. Resolved: That the Chancellor of the University of Maine System shall convene a task force, to be known as the Task Force To Recommend a Sustainable Funding Model for Maintaining Maine's Public Higher Education Infrastructure, referred to in this resolve as "the task force."

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

1. The Chancellor of the University of Maine System or the chancellor's designee, who shall serve as the task force chair;

2. The President of the Maine Community College System or the president's designee;

3. The President of the Maine Maritime Academy or the president's designee;

4. The Director of the Bureau of General Services within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services or the director's designee;

5. The director of school facilities within the Department of Education;

6. The Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine or the chief executive officer's designee; and

7. A member appointed by the Chancellor of the University of Maine System with relevant experience or expertise in finance or facilities management and planning.

Sec. 3. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall study how to provide adequate supplemental funding to sustain the State's public higher education infrastructure without burdening students who are residents of the State with unreasonable tuition and fee increases. The task force shall consider, but may not be limited to considering, infrastructure improvements, health and safety repairs, technology improvements, energy efficiency and equipment upgrades and, when necessary, new construction.

Sec. 4. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System and the Maine Maritime Academy shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force, as well as all requested and available data.

Sec. 5. Report. Resolved: That, no later than January 2, 2020, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The joint standing committees may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature related to the subject matter of the report.

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

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Chancellor of the University of Maine System to convene a task force, to be named the Task Force To Recommend a Sustainable Funding Model for Maintaining Maine's Public Higher Education Infrastructure, to study how to provide adequate supplemental funding to sustain the State's public higher education infrastructure without burdening students who are residents of the State with unreasonable tuition and fee increases. The task force is directed to consider, but is not limited to considering, infrastructure improvements, health and safety repairs, technology improvements, energy efficiency and equipment upgrades and, when necessary, new construction. The task force is directed to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by January 2, 2020. The joint standing committees are authorized to submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.