Sec. 1. 22 MRSA c. 275, as amended, is amended by repealingthe chapter headnote and enacting the following in its place:

CHAPTER 275

ASTHMA AND LUNG DISEASE

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §1700-A is enacted to read:

§1700-A.__Maine Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund

There is established the Maine Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund, an interest-bearing account, referred to in this section as "the fund."__The fund receives money deposited by the Treasurer of State pursuant to Title 36, section 5289 and any other money contributed voluntarily to the fund.__The fund is administered by the Bureau of Health.__All money deposited in the fund and the earnings on that money remain in the fund to be used to provide research grants to develop and advance the understanding of lung disease, especially its prevention, causes, treatment and cure.__Areas of research eligible for grants under this section include, but are not limited to, asthma, health effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.__Money in the fund may also be used for the necessary administrative and personnel costs associated with the management of the fund but may not be deposited in the General Fund or any other fund except as specifically provided by law.

Sec. 3. 36 MRSA §5289 is enacted to read:

§5289.__Maine Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund; voluntary

checkoff

1.__Maine Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund.__When filing a return, a taxpayer entitled to a refund under this Part may designate that a portion of that refund be paid into the Maine Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund established in Title 22, section 1700-A.__A taxpayer who is not entitled to a refund under this Part may contribute to the Maine Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund by including with that taxpayer's return sufficient funds to make the contribution.__The contribution may not be less than $1.__Each individual income tax return form must contain a designation in substantially the following form: "Maine Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund: ( ) $1, ( ) $5, ( ) $10, ( ) $25 or ( ) Other $.... ."