Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §3305-C is enacted to read:

§3305-C.__State Planning Office Sister State Advisory Council

The State Planning Office shall establish the Sister State Advisory Council, referred to in this section as the "council," for matters relating to strengthening the relationship in the Sister State Program with Aomori, Japan.__The council is directed to produce a plan to provide criteria and structure for coordinating private and public activities to further strengthen the cultural and economic ties with the Prefecture of Aomori, the "Sister State" to the State of Maine.

1.__Council membership.__The council consists of the following 10 citizen members appointed by the Director of the State Planning Office:

A.__One representative of the Maine State Museum Commission;

B.__One representative of the Maine Arts Commission;

C.__One representative of the Maine Humanities Council;

D.__Two representatives of the Maine International Trade Center;

E.__One representative of the University of Maine System;

F.__One representative from a private Maine college or university;

G.__Two representatives from school districts with exchange relationships in Aomori, Japan; and

H.__One representative from a Maine municipality with a sister-city relationship with Aomori, Japan.

2.__Terms.__Each member is eligible to serve 2 3-year terms, with 3 groups of members, with 1/3 appointed each year for rotation of membership and continuity.__The director shall appoint the chair and other officers, if necessary.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §12004-G, sub-§33-F is enacted to read:

33-F. Sister State Not 5 MRSA

State Advisory Authorized §3305-C

Planning Council

Office