(7)__Commenting on measures taken pursuant to Section 113(b)(14) of the federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, 20 United States Code, Section 2323(b)(14); and

(8)__Developing the statewide statistics system described in Section 15(e) of the federal Wagner- Peyser Act, 29 United States Code, Section 49l-2(e).

B.__The council has the necessary authority to carry out the purposes of this section.

C.__The commissioner may appoint employees necessary to carry out the council's responsibility under this subsection.

D.__The commissioner may adopt rules, in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, necessary to carry out the council's responsibility under this subsection.

Sec. 13. 26 MRSA §2006, sub-§7, śC, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 410, §12 and affected by §13, is amended to read:

C. The Governor shall appoint members to a technical support group to assist the council in the performance of its duties and responsibilities. The Governor shall appoint persons to serve on the technical support group for 3-year terms. The services provided by the State's various workforce organizations must be fairly represented in the technical support group with consideration given to a balance between rural and urban interests. Organizations with representation on the technical support group may include, but are not limited to:

(1) The Job Training Partnership Act Service Delivery Areas local areas;

(2) Adult education;

(3) School-to-work;

(4) Providers that specialize in women's workforce issues;

(5) Rehabilitation providers;