S.P. 316 - L.D. 950
An Act to Consolidate and Improve Agricultural Market Research and New Technology Grants in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to Encourage Economic Development of Maine Farms and Food Processors
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, improvements in grant programs administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources are needed to optimize benefits to agricultural industries of this State; and
Whereas, grants awarded can assist in adapting new technology and improved marketing of Maine agricultural products; and
Whereas, changes must be made to facilitate the grant process prior to soliciting applications and awarding grants; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §125, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 711, §5, is amended to read:
7. Long-range plan. By November 1, 1998 January 15, 2000, the board shall establish a long-range plan for operation of the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service programs that includes but is not limited to plans for each of the research farms, joint appointments for experiment station and extension faculty, better utilization of research farms and objectives for research for each agricultural commodity in the State. The plan developed by the board does not include operations, research and programs relating to forestry, wildlife, aquaculture and fisheries.
Sec. 2. 7 MRSA c. 10 is amended by repealing the headnote and enacting the following in its place:
CHAPTER 10
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM
Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §305, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 402, Pt. A, §77, is repealed.
Sec. 4. 7 MRSA §306, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 402, Pt. A, §77, is repealed.
Sec. 5. 7 MRSA §306-A is enacted to read:
§306-A. Agricultural Development Fund
1. Agricultural Development Fund. The commissioner shall establish an agricultural development fund to accelerate new market development, adoption of advantageous technologies and promotion of state agricultural products by state producers.
2. Fund operation. The commissioner shall utilize the agricultural development fund to:
A. Provide grants to individuals, firms or organizations to conduct market research or to undertake market promotion activities for the purpose of expanding existing markets and developing new markets for state agricultural products; and
B. Test and demonstrate new technologies related to the production, storage and processing of state agricultural commodities.
3. Rulemaking. The commissioner shall establish, by rule, in a manner consistent with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A criteria for the allocation of grant money, application requirements consistent with the provisions of this section, a schedule for accepting and reviewing applications, reporting requirements on grant expenditures and project results and any other administrative requirements necessary for the efficient implementation of this program. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A. The commissioner is guided by the following criteria:
A. Applications may be submitted by individuals, firms or organizations;
B. At least 25% of the total cost of any project must be funded by the applicant or applicants and at least 10% of the total cost must be funded from nonpublic sources. A single grant may not exceed 20% of the total funds available to be granted in a given year; however, in no case may a single grant exceed $30,000;
C. Information relative to market research or development activities provided to the commissioner prior to formal application, included in grant applications or provided to the commissioner to fulfill reporting requirements is confidential information and may not be publicly disclosed by the commissioner as long as:
(1) The person to whom the information belongs or pertains has requested that certain information be designated as confidential; and
(2) The commissioner has determined that the information gives the person making the request opportunity to obtain business or competitive advantage over another person who does not have access to the information or will result in loss of business or other significant detriment to the person making the request if access is provided to others; and
D. When possible, the commissioner shall award grants to applicants representing diverse agricultural enterprises and geographic areas of the State.
4. Advisory committee. The commissioner shall establish the Agricultural Development Committee to evaluate market and production development grant applications and review project results.
Sec. 6. 7 MRSA §§307, 308 and 309, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 402, Pt. A, §77, are amended to read:
The commissioner may contract directly with the Agricultural Experiment Station or the Maine Cooperative Extension Service University of Maine System for market research, testing new technologies and for research on pressing, short-term technical problems related to the production, marketing, storage and processing of agricultural commodities.
Funds Interest in the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund, established in Title 10, section 1023-J, and funds contributed by commodity groups, associations or individuals, firms or organizations for special projects or for competitive technology transfer agricultural development projects shall must be deposited in a dedicated account which shall that does not lapse. Commodity groups, associations or individuals Individuals, firms or organizations may specify that funds contributed to this account may be used to initiate projects affecting specific commodities.
The commissioner, the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Director of the Cooperative Extension Service and the Agriculture Development Committee shall, on an annual basis, review the effectiveness of the programs operated under the provisions of this chapter in facilitating the introduction of new technologies for Maine agricultural operations.
Sec. 7. 7 MRSA §401-D, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 444, is repealed.
Sec. 8. 7 MRSA §436, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 658, §1, is amended to read:
§436. Grants for technical assistance and research
The commissioner may use all or a portion of the accrued interest in the cash balance of the fund Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund and interest portion of loan repayments, up to a maximum of $150,000 $250,000 per year, for grants for technical assistance and for the research programs identified in the technology transfer program in chapter 10, and the Agricultural Market Research and Development Fund established in section 401-D, for the purposes of supporting adoption of new and innovative technology to support agricultural production and marketing the agricultural development grant program in chapter 10. The commissioner may expend grant dollars designated to an applicant in one fiscal year during the following fiscal year.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective April 16, 1999.
Revisor of Statutes Homepage | Subject Index | Search | Laws of Maine | Maine Legislature |