APPROVED CHAPTER
JULY 9, 2021 450
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE
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S.P. 490 - L.D. 1517
An Act To Establish the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and
Student Achievement Institute
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§6-I is enacted to read:
6-I.
Economic Maine Workforce, Not Authorized 5 MRSA §13120-T
Development Research,
Development and
Student Achievement
Institute
This subsection is repealed September 1, 2024.
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA c. 383, sub-c. 10 is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 10
MAINE WORKFORCE, RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT INSTITUTE
§13120-T. Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement
Institute
1. Institute established. The Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student
Achievement Institute, as established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 6-I and referred
to in this subchapter as "the institute," is established to collect and analyze information
related to workforce training and cost drivers for training, research and development,
student debt and economic advancement in the State, to make policy recommendations to
the Legislature and to conduct targeted research for the Legislature.
2. Legislature to contract with university. The Legislature, through the joint
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation, development,
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economic advancement and business matters, shall contract with the University of Maine
System to establish and maintain the institute. Personnel coordinating the work of the
institute must be appointed by the University of Maine System in consultation with the
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation,
development, economic advancement and business matters, and those personnel shall
consult with and act on behalf of the Legislature, performing such data collection, analysis
and research as the Legislature may require.
3. State economic plan. The institute shall align its work with the priorities of the
State's economic development strategy developed by the department pursuant to this
chapter.
4. Steering committee. The Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student
Achievement Institute Steering Committee, referred to in this section as "the steering
committee," is established to advise the Legislature and the University of Maine System
on all matters related to the institute. With the exception of ex officio members, steering
committee members must be appointed by the joint standing committee of the Legislature
having jurisdiction over innovation, development, economic advancement and business
matters for a term of 2 years. The steering committee shall meet at least 4 times each year
and must include the following:
A. One member from the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation;
B. One member from the department;
C. One member from the Department of Labor or the State Workforce Board,
established under Title 26, section 2006;
D. One member from the University of Maine System;
E. One member from the Maine Community College System;
F. One member from a statewide organization representing business interests in the
State;
G. One member from a statewide organization responsible for promotion of individual
economic opportunities;
H. One member from a regional development organization serving one or more of the
following: Aroostook County, Franklin County, Oxford County, Piscataquis County,
Somerset County and Washington County;
I. One member who is involved in career and technical education;
J. One member who is employed in the public sector;
K. One member who is employed in the private sector;
L. The State Economist, who serves ex officio; and
M. The chief executive officer of the Finance Authority of Maine or the chief executive
officer's designee, who serves ex officio.
The steering committee shall elect a chair from among its members to serve a term of 2
years.
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 5. Location and access. The analysis, recommendations and research results gathered
pursuant to this subchapter must be maintained by the institute at the University of Maine
System and must be available for use by any interested group or individual.
6. Sunset. This section is repealed September 1, 2024.
Sec. 3. Sunset review. During the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature,
the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation,
development, economic advancement and business matters shall examine and review the
work of the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute
established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 13120-T in order to make a
decision regarding the continuation of the institute. The joint standing committee of the
Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation, development, economic advancement and
business matters may report out a bill based on that review to the 131st Legislature.
Sec. 4. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
LEGISLATURE
Legislature 0081
Initiative: Appropriates funds for the costs to the Legislature to contract with the University
of Maine System to establish and maintain, for its duration, the Maine Workforce,
Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute.
GENERAL FUND 2021-22 2022-23
All Other $100,000 $100,000
__________ __________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $100,000 $100,000
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