Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry To Conduct a Feasibility Study on Locating a Grain Processing Facility in Aroostook County

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

Whereas,  farmers in Aroostook County rotate their potato crops with grain crops in sequential seasons in order to maintain a healthy balance of nutrients in the soil and increase soil fertility and crop yield; and

Whereas,  due to the scarcity of grain processing facilities in the region, the grain that is grown for the purposes of soil enrichment is wasted; and

Whereas,  the location of a grain processing facility in Aroostook County would provide local dairy farmers with an economical, local supply of grain, and benefit the grain farmers by providing a local market for the grain; and

Whereas,  the feasibility study required by this legislation must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and the 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. Feasibility study. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall conduct a study on the feasibility of locating a grain processing facility in Aroostook County.

Sec. 2. Findings and recommendations. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall present the study findings and recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than December 4, 2019. The joint standing committee may submit a bill relating to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

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

summary

This resolve directs the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to conduct a study on the feasibility of locating a grain processing facility in Aroostook County. The resolve directs the commissioner to present the study findings and recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than December 4, 2019, and authorizes the joint standing committee to submit a bill relating to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.