Whereas, Private and Special Law 1995, chapter 32 and Private and Special Law 1997, chapter 59 authorized Maine School Administrative District No. 49 to enter into a design-build contract or other alternative construction arrangements to construct an arts and technology center in the Town of Fairfield; and

Whereas, Maine School Administrative District No. 49 conducted a design-build competition and requested a number of design-build firms to submit proposals for the design and construction of the arts and technology center; and

Whereas, the building committee of Maine School Administrative District No. 49 has selected a proposal for the design and construction of the arts and technology center that combines new construction and reconstruction of existing school facilities; and

Whereas, a question has arisen whether the concept design of the project is within the scope of the original authorization of Private and Special Law 1995, chapter 32 and Private and Special Law 1997, chapter 59; and

Whereas, Maine School Administrative District No. 49 cannot proceed with the design and construction of the project until its authority has been clarified; 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. Authority to construct arts and technology center. Subject to approval of the voters of Maine School Administrative District No. 49 at a referendum conducted on or after January 19, 1999, the Board of School Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 49 is authorized to construct and equip a locally funded arts and technology center employing a design for the project that includes a technology suite, an auditorium using the structure of the existing junior high school gymnasium, a new junior high school gymnasium and other additions and improvements to the Lawrence Junior-Senior High School complex, with the total cost of the project not to exceed