1. Waterfront access for commercial fisheries, including zoning restrictions, municipal comprehensive plans, current-use taxation, smart growth, set asides and right-to-fish issues; and

2. Economic development, including incentives and disincentives, taxation policies, promotion and marketing issues, financing and workforce development; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staffing. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide staffing services to the task force, with secondary staffing provided by the Department of Marine Resources and the State Planning Office; and be it further

Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the members of the task force who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings of the task force. Other members of the task force who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the task force shall submit its report, together with any recommended implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources no later than January 2, 2002. The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources may report out a bill during the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature concerning the findings and recommendations of the task force. If the task force requires an extension of time to complete its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further

Sec. 9. Task force budget. Resolved: That the chair of the task force, with assistance from the task force staff, shall administer the task force's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the task force shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The task force may not incur expenses that would result in the task force's exceeding its approved budget.

Upon request from the task force, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council or the executive director's designee shall promptly provide the task force chair and staff with a status report on the task force's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

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

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the Task Force to Make Recommendations Regarding Loss of Commercial Fishing Waterfront Access and Other Economic Development Issues Affecting Commercial Fishing.