Whereas, this legislation makes changes to the laws governing the Maine Potato Board; and

Whereas, it is critical to the proper functioning of the Maine Potato Board that these changes be implemented immediately; 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. 36 MRSA §4602, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 753, §§14 and 15, is amended to read:

4. Potatoes. "Potatoes" means and includes all potatoes, whether graded or ungraded, including all potatoes sold for processing into food, but does not include potatoes sold for processing into starch, unless the potatoes are sold under a federal diversion program and paid for as grade potatoes or animal feed.

Sec. 2. 36 MRSA §4603, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 753, §§14 and 15, is amended to read:

5. Meetings of executive councils and assemblies. Executive councils shall annually elect officers, including a chairman chair, vice-chairman vice-chair and secretary. Each executive council shall hold meetings from time to time, no less than 4 2 times a year, upon call of the executive council chairman chair, a majority of the executive council or upon call of the board. Each assembly shall hold meetings from time to time, no less than once a year, upon call of a majority of its executive council or upon call of the board, provided that district assemblies of growers may hold these meetings jointly in statewide sessions or in concert with other assemblies or groups of assemblies. All meetings of assemblies and executive councils shall must be open to the public and otherwise in compliance with Title 1, chapter 13.

Sec. 3. 36 MRSA §4604, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1987, c. 99, §20, is further amended to read: