C. Advise and assist state agencies and state-supported institutions of higher learning in developing environmental compliance audits and plans and in implementing those plans;

D. Advise the Governor and the Legislature in the formulation of policies for the effective achievement of initiative goals; and

E. Ensure that the capital master plan established under Title 5, section 299 is implemented in a manner consistent with the initiative.

3. Responsibilities of state agencies and state-supported institutions of higher learning. State agencies and state- supported institutions of higher learning shall cooperate with the directors in implementing the initiative and shall provide staff assistance and technical support upon request. In addition, each state agency and state-supported institution of higher learning shall:

A. Complete or demonstrate completion of an audit of its facilities to determine compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws;

B. Develop a biennial plan that outlines the actions the agency or state-supported institution of higher learning will take to incorporate compliance efforts and environmentally sustainable practices into its planning and operational functions. To facilitate incorporation into the biennial budget process, these plans must be submitted to the directors prior to June 1st of each even-numbered year, beginning in 2002;

C. Appoint an employee in the agency or state-supported institution of higher learning to be responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of agency activities under the initiative; and

D. Establish standards for leasing or building state facilities consistent with the initiative.

Each agency and state-supported institution of higher learning shall fund costs associated with implementing this initiative from within existing budgeted resources.

4. Reporting. Beginning on January 1, 2003, and biennially thereafter, the directors shall jointly report on the activities of all state agencies and state-supported institutions of higher learning under the initiative to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over state government matters. The report must identify the successes of and the obstacles to implementation of the initiative and may include recommendations for any statutory changes necessary to accomplish the initiative.

SUMMARY

Under current law, the Clean Government Initiative assists state agencies in meeting applicable environmental compliance requirements and incorporating environmentally sustainable practices into state government functions. This bill expands the Clean Government Initiative to apply to the University of Maine System, the Maine Maritime Academy and the Maine Technical College System.