Resolve, To Convene a Stakeholder Group on Funding and Training for the State's Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Teams and the Acquisition of Equipment

Sec. 1. Review of funding and training for hazardous materials emergency response teams and the acquisition of equipment. Resolved: That the Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management shall convene a stakeholder group to review and make recommendations regarding the funding currently provided to the hazardous materials emergency response teams in the Department of Environmental Protection, including the 8 regional response teams and the 7 decontamination strike teams, funding options, the training of the teams and the acquisition of equipment. The director shall invite to the stakeholder group representatives of the Maine Fire Chiefs' Association, fire chiefs from municipalities with regional response teams and decontamination strike teams and other persons who express interest in the work of the stakeholder group. The recommendations of the stakeholder group must be compatible with the strategic plan of the State Emergency Response Commission.

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management shall present the findings and recommendations of the stakeholder group pursuant to section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety by November 6, 2019. Following receipt of the report, the joint standing committee may report out legislation based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.