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Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§34-A  is enacted to read:
 
34-A.     
Sec. 2.  30-A MRSA §4726  is enacted to read:
§ 4726. Advisory Council on Senior Housing
 
1.  Appointment; composition.     The Advisory Council on Senior Housing, referred to in this section as "the council" and established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 34-A, consists of the following members, appointed by the director of the Maine State Housing Authority, referred to in this section as "the director," unless otherwise specified:
 
A.  A representative of a state association that advocates on behalf of elderly residents;
 
B.  A representative of a national organization that advocates on behalf of the elderly population;
 
C.  A representative of a state organization that advocates for affordable housing;
 
D.  A representative of a state organization that advocates for low-income residents;
 
E.  A representative of a state organization that advocates for low-income elderly residents;
 
F.  A representative of a state organization that advocates for individuals with disabilities;
 
G.  A municipal or regional planner;
 
H.  A representative of a community action agency as defined in Title 22, section 5321, subsection 2;
 
I.  An individual licensed as an architect pursuant to Title 32, section 220, subsection 1 by the Maine State Board for Licensure of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers;
 
J.  A representative of an entity that receives funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program established in Title 5, section 13073;
 
K.  One Senator, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
 
L.  One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
 
At least one member of the council must be a member of a racial or ethnic minority in the State.
 
2.  Terms; vacancy.     A term of a member of the council appointed by the director is 2 years, except a vacancy of a member before the expiration of the member's term must be filled in the same manner as the original member for the unexpired portion of the member's term. A legislative member serves during the term of office for which the member was elected.
 
3.  Advisory group of federal agency representatives.     The council may form an advisory group of federal agency representatives that may include representatives of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Department of Agriculture's rural development authority.
 
4.  Meetings.     The council shall meet at least 4 times per year at a time and location determined by the director, except that the council is not required to meet more than twice in 2017.
 
5.  Duties.     The council shall make recommendations to the director for the development of a strategic housing plan enabling elderly residents of the State to live in affordable, safe housing as they age. In developing its recommendations under this subsection, the council shall:
 
A.  Review existing data, reports and other materials to determine the unmet need for affordable housing units for elderly residents;
 
B.  Assess the financial burden of home modifications or repairs necessary to allow elderly residents to remain in their homes, including elderly residents whose income is at or below the area median income for their county or metropolitan area; and
 
C.  Identify innovative strategies employed either within the State or by other states to improve the ability of elderly residents to remain in their homes or to secure alternative housing of their choice.
 
6.  Strategic housing plan.     The director shall develop by January 1, 2023 a strategic housing plan enabling elderly residents of the State to live in affordable, safe housing as they age. The strategic plan must set forth the recommendations submitted by the council under subsection 5 and a summary of the information gathered by the council under subsection 5 in support of those recommendations. The strategic plan must also include plans for meeting the unmet need for affordable housing units for elderly residents in the State and the financial resources that may be used to alleviate the financial burden of home modifications necessary to allow elderly residents of the State, including elderly residents whose income is at or below the area median income for their county or metropolitan area, to remain in their homes.
 
7.  Report.     The director shall submit a report regarding the development or implementation of the strategic housing plan described in subsection 6 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over housing matters on or before March 15th of the first regular session of each Legislature.
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE
 
Advisory Council on Senior Housing N247
 
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds for administrative costs and staff support for the Advisory Council on Senior Housing.

GENERAL FUND	2017-18	2018-19	
All Other	$45,200	$45,200	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$45,200	$45,200	

HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2017-18	2018-19	
			
GENERAL FUND	$45,200	$45,200	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$45,200	$45,200	

LEGISLATURE
 
Legislature 0081
 
Initiative: Provides funding for the ongoing costs of one Senator and one member of the House of Representatives to participate on the Advisory Council on Senior Housing.

GENERAL FUND	2017-18	2018-19	
Personal Services	$440	$440	
All Other	$560	$560	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$1,000	$1,000	

LEGISLATURE			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2017-18	2018-19	
			
GENERAL FUND	$1,000	$1,000	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$1,000	$1,000	

SECTION TOTALS	2017-18	2018-19	
			
GENERAL FUND	$46,200	$46,200	
			
SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$46,200	$46,200	
 
’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill, which is a concept draft. This amendment establishes the Advisory Council on Senior Housing to study the unmet need for affordable housing units for elderly residents of the State as well as the financial burden of home modifications and repairs necessary to enable the State's elderly residents to remain in their homes. The council is directed to make recommendations to the director of the Maine State Housing Authority for the development by January 1, 2023 of a strategic housing plan enabling elderly residents of the State to live in affordable, safe housing as they age. The director is directed to report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over housing matters on the development or implementation of the strategic housing plan by March 15th of the first regular session of each Legislature. The amendment also adds an appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)