Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Project to Facilitate the Inclusion of Economic Impact Statements in the Legislative Process

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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1673
H.P. 1108 House of Representatives, April 17, 2025
Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Project to Facilitate the Inclusion of
Economic Impact Statements in the Legislative Process
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs suggested and ordered
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ROBERTS of South Berwick.
Cosponsored by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot and
Representatives: BRIDGEO of Augusta, COLLAMORE of Pittsfield, DUCHARME of
Madison, SALISBURY of Westbrook, Senator: GUERIN of Penobscot.

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1Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
2 become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
3Whereas, this resolve establishes a pilot project to facilitate the inclusion of economic
4 impact statements in the legislative process; and
5Whereas, the pilot project must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order
6 that the pilot project may begin in time for the next legislative session; and
7Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
8 the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
9 immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
10 therefore, be it
11Sec. 1. Economic impact statement pilot project established. Resolved: That
12 the Legislative Council and the University of Maine System shall establish and implement
13 a pilot project to facilitate the inclusion of economic impact statements in the legislative
14 process as described in this resolve.
15Sec. 2. Legislative Council to issue request for proposals for economic
16impact statement model. Resolved: That, by July 15, 2025, the Legislative Council
17 shall issue a request for proposals to procure an economic impact statement model to be
18 used in a pilot project to analyze legislation during the Second Regular Session of the 132nd
19 Legislature. The economic impact statement model selected by the Legislative Council
20 must consider, but is not limited to, the direct and indirect or secondary economic and
21 demographic effects related to the legislation, including its effect on jobs, investment,
22 income, gross domestic product, taxes and attraction of workers. The Legislative Council
23 shall consult with the University of Maine System when developing the request for
24 proposals. The economic impact statement model must be completed by December 3, 2025.
25Sec. 3. University of Maine System to oversee a pilot project to facilitate
26inclusion of economic impact statements in legislative process. Resolved: That,
27 upon completion of the economic impact statement model under section 2, but no later than
28 the commencement of the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature, the University
29 of Maine System shall establish and implement a pilot project to facilitate the inclusion of
30 economic impact statements in the legislative process in order to provide information about
31 the economic impacts of legislation and to ascertain how legislation relates to the State's
32 prosperity, productivity and competitiveness.
33 The University of Maine System, in coordination with the Legislative Council, shall
34 select at least 3 pieces of legislation in each of the following subject areas to be analyzed
35 using the economic impact statement model: taxation, housing, health care, energy and
36 education. The University of Maine System and the Legislative Council shall prioritize
37 legislation that enacts or amends employment, labor or taxation laws; creates a new
38 workforce program; or significantly affects employers, employees or the state economy.
39 The analysis of the economic impact using an economic impact statement model must be
40 in addition to any fiscal impact statement that is prepared.
41Sec. 4. Report by University of Maine System. Resolved: That, no later than
42 45 days following adjournment of the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature,
43 the University of Maine System shall submit a written report on the pilot project established
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44 pursuant to section 3 detailing the effectiveness of the inclusion of economic impact
45 statements in the legislative process to the Legislative Council.
3Sec. 5. Recommendation for future legislation. Resolved: That, following
4 receipt and review of the report required in section 4, the Legislative Council shall
5 determine whether to expand the use of economic impact statements in the legislative
6 process and make that recommendation, including suggested legislation, for presentation
7 to the Legislative Council of the 133rd Legislature no later than November 4, 2026.
8Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
9 takes effect when approved.
10SUMMARY
11 This resolve establishes a pilot project to facilitate the inclusion of economic impact
12 statements in the legislative process.
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