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An Act To Create a Domestic Division within the Maine International Trade Center
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §945, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:
The Maine International Trade Center, referred to in this chapter as the "center," is established to enhance the competitive advantage of state businesses desiring to compete in the national or international market. The center provides a source of leadership, coordination and a shared vision for national and international trade development in the State. The purpose of the center, through its cooperative public and private board, is to refine, revise and implement the State's national and international strategic plan by providing and enhancing services in coordination with the economic development activities of the private sector, community and regional agencies and State Government.
Sec. 2. 10 MRSA §945-A, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:
§ 945-A.Duties
The center shall provide a base level of services without regard to membership in the center and enhanced services as the center's board of directors may direct, to private entities, individuals, the State and to quasi-public and public entities. The center shall encourage and assist the growth of the State's national and international economic activities in the following ways.
 
1. Forum.   The center shall provide a continuing forum for the exchange of expertise, ideas and innovations between the public and private sectors.
 
2. Education.   The center shall offer quality education and technical services to businesses in the State that compete or seek to compete in national or worldwide markets.
 
3. Development of programs.   The center shall act as a catalyst in the development and coordination of national and international programs.
 
4. Public policy.   The center shall underscore the importance of national and international trade as a priority of public policy and to enhance public appreciation of the relevance of the national and international economy.
 
5. Information.   The center shall provide information necessary to transact national and international business and to make effective decisions concerning national and international trade and policy.
 
6. Infrastructure.   The center shall support the development and availability of an overall infrastructure conducive to national and international business.
 
7. Dissemination of programs.   The center shall promote the development and dissemination of education, training and technical assistance programs appropriate for other states and foreign countries.
 
8. Market opportunities.   The center shall identify market opportunities and potential contracts in other states and foreign countries that match the technologies and expertise available in the State and coordinate and submit appropriate proposal responses.
 
9. Data base.   The center shall maintain ana national and international commerce data base to assist in making program decisions.
 
10.  Domestic division.     The center shall establish and maintain a domestic division that focuses on supporting, promoting and expanding trade opportunities with other states.
Sec. 3. 10 MRSA §945-C, sub-§5, ¶¶C and F, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, are amended to read:
 
C. Ensure that the center's programs reflect the policy and management decisions as described in the strategic plan for the State concerning national and international trade;
 
F. Serve as the State's diplomat, providing leadership in the area of national and international trade and advocating within the State and abroad on behalf of the State's national and international trade community; and
Sec. 4. 10 MRSA §945-D, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:
 
3. Economic development services; fees.   Employ a staff and provide services to public or private entities to assist their efforts in the development of national and international trade in the State and to charge such fees for these services as it determines appropriate;
Sec. 5. 10 MRSA §945-D, sub-§10, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:
 
10. Cooperation with agencies and organizations.   Cooperate with governmental agencies and the University of Maine System; and cooperate, assist and encourage organizations, local or regional, private or public, in the communities of the State in the promotion, assistance and development of national and international trade in those communities and the State.
Sec. 6. 10 MRSA §945-H, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:
§ 945-H.Prohibited interests of officers, directors and employees
Officers, directors or employees of the center or their spouses or dependent children may not receive any direct personal benefit from the activities of the center in assisting any private entity. This section does not prohibit corporations or other entities with which officers or directors are associated by reason of ownership or employment from participating in national or international trade activities of the center or receiving services offered by the center as long as the ownership or employment is made known to the board of directors and, if applicable, the officers or directors abstain from voting on matters relating to that participation. This section does not apply to members who are not officers or directors of the center.
Sec. 7. 10 MRSA §945-M, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 648, §5, is amended to read:
§ 945-M.Liberal construction
This chapter may be construed liberally to effect the intent and purposes of the center for an improved and enhanced national and international trade development effort in the State and may not be construed as a limitation of powers.
Sec. 8. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
 
International Commerce 0674
 
Initiative: Provides funding for 2 Public Service Coordinator I positions at the Maine International Trade Center to staff the center's domestic division.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	2.000	2.000	
Personal Services	$103,318	$144,278	
All Other	$20,291	$22,054	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$123,609	$166,332	

SUMMARY
This bill requires the Maine International Trade Center to establish and maintain a domestic division to support, promote and expand trade opportunities with other states and provides funding for 2 positions at the Maine International Trade Center to staff the domestic division.