The department, in consultation with the Maine Climate Council, established under section 577‑A, shall evaluate the State's progress toward meeting the reduction goals specified in section 576‑A and progress toward implementing the climate action plan in section 577. The department, after consultation with the council, shall submit a report of its evaluation 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 utilities and energy matters by December 1, 2022 and by that date every 2 years thereafter. The department, in consultation with the council, may recommend other metrics to share the progress on climate mitigation and adaptation strategies with the Legislature and public. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters is authorized to report out legislation relating to the report required under this section, and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities and energy matters may make recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters regarding that legislation.   [PL 2019, c. 476, §10 (AMD).]