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An Act To Support Maine State Parks
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  our state parks are open seasonally; and
Whereas,  revenue from sales of merchandise will be greatest in the summer months; and
Whereas,  increased funding for the operation and maintenance of our state parks is essential; 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.  12 MRSA §1825, sub-§5  is enacted to read:
 
5.  State Parks Improvement Fund established; sale of merchandise.   The State Parks Improvement Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established within the bureau. The fund is nonlapsing. The bureau may sell within parks or historic sites general merchandise that is distinctive to the parks or historic sites or useful to the enjoyment of the parks or historic sites. Items that may be sold include, but are not limited to, hats, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, t-shirts, tote bags and firewood. Merchandise sold by the bureau must be of good quality, appropriate for sale by the bureau and sold for a reasonable fee. The bureau also may rent items to be used for the enjoyment of the park or historic site, including, but not limited to, rowboats, canoes, kayaks and bicycles. To the extent the bureau needs to contract with vendors to obtain goods or services in order to develop, create or manufacture merchandise for sale or lease, the commissioner shall, to the maximum extent practicable, contract with vendors located in this State. Goods and services purchased by the bureau for sale or lease under this section must be procured in accordance with Title 5, chapter 155. All proceeds from the sale or lease of merchandise pursuant to this subsection must be deposited in the fund and used for the operation and maintenance of parks.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
CONSERVATION, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Parks - General Operations 0221
 
Initiative: Provides an allocation to purchase materials for resale.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	
All Other	$2,500	$7,500	$10,000	
				
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$2,500	$7,500	$10,000	
 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective April 16, 2009.