Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, § 25007: Duties and powers, 2019

1. Commission duties. The commission shall: A. Carry out research necessary to determine the status of historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations, including the study of income levels of and opportunities available to historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations and the examination of quantitative and qualitative data associated with those populations regarding business ownership, household assets, debts and income, housing, employment, education, health care and access to wealth, capital and benefits; [PL 2019, c. 457, §2 (NEW).] B. Seek public input by conducting public hearings annually to obtain information about the needs of and solutions to the problems faced by historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations; and [PL 2019, c. 457, §2 (NEW).] C. Beginning March 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the work and interests of the commission, including a summary of public comments obtained pursuant to paragraph B. [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. RRRR, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. RRRR, §1 (AMD).] 2. Commission powers. The commission may: A. Promote and coordinate activities on state and local levels designed to meet the problems faced by historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations; [PL 2019, c. 457, §2 (NEW).] B. Inform the public about the presence or absence of opportunities for historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations; [PL 2019, c. 457, §2 (NEW).] C. Conduct additional public hearings, conferences, workshops and other such meetings to obtain information about, discuss and publicize the needs of and solutions to the problems faced by historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations; [PL 2019, c. 457, §2 (NEW).] D. Submit to the Legislature such legislation as the commission determines appropriate for improving opportunities and eliminating disparities for historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations in the State; [PL 2021, c. 436, §6 (AMD).] E. Advise and consult with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court and other officials of the State and the Federal Government with respect to state and federal policies, programs and other activities affecting or relating to historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations; and [PL 2019, c. 457, §2 (NEW).] F. Advise and consult with the Governor and the Legislature about, and assist them in improving, opportunities for historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations. [PL 2019, c. 457, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 436, §6 (AMD).]