The commissions shall have power to enter into compacts, subject to congressional approval, with legally constituted milk commissions or similar authorities of other states or of the United States of America to effect a uniformity in regulating and insuring an adequate supply of pure and wholesome milk to the inhabitants of this State, to provide uniform control of milk produced in this State and handled in interstate commerce and to exercise all the powers hereunder for such purpose as well as the following powers:

1. 1. Hearings To conduct joint investigations and hearings and to issue joint or concurrent orders.

   [PL 1965, c. 463 (NEW).]

2. 2. Enforcement To employ or designate a joint agent or agencies to enforce such orders or compacts.

   [PL 1965, c. 463 (NEW).]

3. 3. Classification To provide for classifications of milk in accordance with the form in which it is used or moved with uniform minimum prices or methods of fixing such prices for each class.

   [PL 1965, c. 463 (NEW).]

4. 4. Payments To provide for payment to all producers and associations of producers delivering milk to dealers of uniform prices, subject to adjustments with the joint agent for location and butterfat content.

   [PL 1965, c. 463 (NEW).]

5. 4-A. Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact To enter into the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact.

   1. A. Maine's representatives to the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact are as follows:

      1. (1) The commissioner or designee;
      2. (2) The chair of the Maine Milk Commission or designee; and

      3. (4) A dairy farmer who is engaged in the production of milk at the time of appointment or reappointment, to be appointed by the Governor and subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters and confirmation by the Legislature.

         [PL 2005, c. 382, Pt. F, §6 (AMD).]

   2. B.

      [PL 2005, c. 382, Pt. F, §7 (RP).]

   3. C. The Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact may establish rules using the procedures outlined in the Federal Administrative Procedure Act and may proceed under emergency rule-making provisions without making findings of emergency.

      [PL 1989, c. 437 (NEW).]

   4. D. This subsection shall not take effect until the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact is enacted by 3 other states and approved by the Congress of the United States.

      [PL 1989, c. 437 (NEW).]

   [PL 2005, c. 382, Pt. F, §§6, 7 (AMD).]

6. 5. Regulations To make such joint regulations as may be incidental to the foregoing and not inconsistent thereto and as may be necessary to effectuate the above mentioned powers.

   [PL 1965, c. 463 (NEW).]

7. 6. Compensation Members serving pursuant to subsection 4-A, paragraph A, subparagraphs (2) and (4) are compensated for attendance at Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact meetings in amounts not to exceed those set forth in Title 3, section 2, except that employees of the State who are compensated as part of their employment do not receive additional compensation under this subsection.

   [PL 1999, c. 679, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

PL 1965, c. 463 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 437 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 274, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 679, §B2 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 679, §B14 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 382, §§F6,7 (AMD).