1. 1. Definitions As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

   1. A. "Council" means the Maine State Cultural Affairs Council.

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   2. B. "Participating agencies" means the:

      1. (1) Maine Arts Commission;
      2. (2) Maine Historic Preservation Commission;
      3. (3) Maine State Library;
      4. (4) Maine State Museum;
      5. (5) Maine Historical Society;
      6. (6) Maine State Archives; and

      7. (7) Maine Humanities Council.

         [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   3. C. "Program" means the New Century Community Program established in subsection 2.

      [PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. DDDD, §2 (AMD).]

   [PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. DDDD, §2 (AMD).]

2. 2. Program established; objectives The New Century Community Program is established under the auspices of the council to further the following objectives:

   1. A. Preservation of the State's historic resources, properties, artifacts and documents;

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   2. B. Expanded access to improved educational resources; and

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   3. C. Community and economic development through strengthened local cultural resources, including through increased community access to the State's leading cultural institutions.

      [PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. DDDD, §3 (AMD).]

   [PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. DDDD, §3 (AMD).]

3. 3. Program components To assist communities in preserving, improving and providing access to cultural resources, the program shall provide matching grants, technical assistance and support services to local, nonprofit, community-based organizations.

   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

4. 4. Council duties The council shall:

   1. A. Oversee the planning and implementation of the program and coordinated communication among the participating agencies on behalf of Maine communities;

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   2. B. Establish an outside evaluation system for the project to be implemented in the 2nd year of the program;

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   3. C. Provide a forum of interagency planning among the participating agencies;

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   4. D. Receive and distribute notices and instructions from other governmental administrative agencies;

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   5. E. Meet quarterly to assess the progress of the program;

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   6. F. Coordinate the program with a statewide cultural alliance organization that is a private nonprofit educational agency supporting libraries, museums and arts and humanities organizations and with statewide groups of individuals and artists concerned about the health of the State's cultural resources; and

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   7. G. Submit an annual report to the Legislature on the program.

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

5. 5. Participating agency duties The participating agencies shall:

   1. A. Provide matching grants and services to eligible nonprofit and community-based organizations;

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   2. B. Participate in coordinated efforts of the council; and

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   3. C. Provide appropriate information for the annual report to the Legislature.

      [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

PL 1999, c. 401, §LL1 (NEW). PL 2001, c. 439, §§DDDD2,3 (AMD).