The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Board is established within the department and shall carry out its duties in accordance with this section. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] 1. Members. The board consists of 7 members. The commissioner, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Coordinator of the Natural Areas Program are permanent members and their designees may represent them at board meetings. The Governor shall appoint the remaining 4 citizen members subject to the review of the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters and confirmation by the Senate. One of these members must be a representative of a state sportsmen's organization, one must be a representative of a state wildlife conservation organization and one must work in a field related to natural resources. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §6 (REV).] 2. Terms. The Governor shall appoint citizen members to staggered 4-year terms. Appointed citizens may not serve more than 2 consecutive 4-year terms. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] 3. Chair. The Governor shall appoint a citizen member of the board to serve as chair. The chair may not serve more than 2 consecutive 4-year terms. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] 4. Board meetings, rules and administration. The board shall conduct its meetings as follows. A. The board shall meet at least 3 times a year at the call of the chair. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. The board, acting in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, may adopt any rules necessary for the conduct of its business. The board shall adopt by rule a schedule for submission and action on grant proposals submitted pursuant to subsection 5, paragraph B. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. Appointed citizen members are entitled to compensation equal to legislative per diem and travel expenses under Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 29-B while engaged in board activities. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] D. A quorum of the board for the transaction of business is 4 members. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] E. Board members are governed by the conflict of interest provisions in Title 5, section 18. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] 5. Board functions. The board has the following functions. A. The board, in accordance with the rule-making provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act and in consultation with natural resources agencies, shall adopt a strategic plan for each of the funding categories listed in section 10307. The board may cooperate with other state or federal agencies in developing the plan or carrying out other functions under this subchapter. The strategic plan must identify the priority areas for funding for 6 years using the criteria listed in section 10309. The board may amend the strategic plan. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. The board shall review and award annually funding requests for specific projects from natural resources agencies. The board may award grants only to proposals that conform to the strategic plan adopted pursuant to paragraph A. Grant proposals that establish a public-private partnership are encouraged. Grant proposals must include a stated purpose, a time line, potential outcomes, a budget and an explanation of need. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. The board shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters and inland fisheries and wildlife matters. In the annual report, the board shall detail expenditures made from the fund and the board's progress in implementing the strategic plan. [PL 2005, c. 397, Pt. E, §2 (AMD).] D. Responsibility for administration of the board lies with the chair. The board shall hire an executive director. The executive director may hire an additional staff person, if the board determines it necessary. The executive director directs the daily operation of the board. Staff positions may be part-time. The executive director position is unclassified and the executive director serves at the pleasure of the board. The board shall prepare and adopt an annual budget to be included with the report required under paragraph C. The board may obtain the services of consultants as necessary to carry out its functions under this subchapter. The board may spend money to cover administrative costs. The board shall endeavor to keep the level of administrative expenses as low as practicable and include, in its annual report, discussion of efforts to minimize administrative expenses. State natural resources agencies shall provide staff support and assistance as determined necessary by the board. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] [PL 2005, c. 397, Pt. E, §2 (AMD).]
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