Sec. 9. 30-A MRSA §5250-K, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 688, Pt. D, §2, is amended to read:

4. Administration of zone benefits. The participating units of local government may contract or otherwise arrange with a public or private organization, including a regional council as described in section 2302, to administer activities authorized under this subchapter. The organization may act as the lead entity for the purpose of applying for and administering the Pine Tree Development Zone benefits.

Sec. 10. 30-A MRSA §5250-K, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 688, Pt. D, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 11. 30-A MRSA §5250-L, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 688, Pt. D, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 12. 30-A MRSA §5250-M, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 688, Pt. D, §2, is amended to read:

§5250-M. Program administration; rules

The commissioner shall administer this subchapter. The commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act for implementation of the Pine Tree Development Zones Zone, including, but not limited to, rules for determining and certifying eligibility, selecting zones for designation and evaluating on a periodic basis the progress and success of each the zone in achieving its goals. Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 13. 30-A MRSA §5250-P, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 688, Pt. D, §2, is amended to read:

§5250-P. Report

By January 15, 2004, the commissioner shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic development matters regarding rulemaking and progress in implementing the Pine Tree Development Zones Zone. Not later than April 1, 2005 and April 1st of each odd-numbered year thereafter, the commissioner shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic development matters on the status of the Pine Tree Development Zones Zone.