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Amend the resolve by striking out all of section 2 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 2 Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 13 members appointed as follows:
1. A Senate member of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, appointed by the President of the Senate;
2. A House of Representatives member of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
3. A school superintendent representing the Maine School Superintendents Association, appointed by the President of the Senate;
4. A member of a school board representing the Maine School Boards Association, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
5. Two special education directors representing a statewide association of special education directors or teachers, appointed by the President of the Senate. One of the members must be a special education director who serves an urban school administrative unit, and the other member must be a special education director who serves a rural school administrative unit;
6. A principal representing the Maine Principals' Association, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
7. A teacher representing the Maine Education Association, appointed by the President of the Senate;
8. A parent of a student with special needs representing a statewide association of parents of students with special needs, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
9. An advocate for students with special needs, appointed by the President of the Senate;
10. A school finance manager or a school business manager, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
11. A special education student who graduated from a school administrative unit in the State within the last 5 years, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
12. An employee of the Department of Education, appointed by the Commissioner of Education; and be it further’
Amend the resolve by striking out all of section 5 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 5 Duties; authorized meetings. Resolved: That the task force shall address the rising cost of special education and the maintenance of high-quality services that accommodate the needs of all children by identifying cost drivers and recommending innovative approaches to serving students. The task force may hold no more than 5 meetings; and be it further’
Amend the resolve by striking out all of section 7 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 7 Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 6, 2017, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature.’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment adds 4 members to the task force, increasing its membership to 13 members, and authorizes the task force to hold up to 5 meetings. The amendment also clarifies that the task force report must be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, which is authorized to submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)