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Month Day, 2009 Jay Finegan, 287-1445
Rep. Ralph Sarty Named to National Panel on Energy and Agriculture

AUGUSTA – State Rep. Ralph Sarty has been named to an influential national committee that deals with major energy and agricultural issues under the auspices of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree made the appointment, which takes effect immediately.

Rep. Sarty (R-Denmark) will join the NCSL’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Energy, which has jurisdiction over state and federal agriculture and rural development legislation, natural resources legislation and energy and electric utilities legislation. It has recently addressed such issues as energy security, water allocation dispute resolution and cost-benefit analysis of environmental regulations.

“I’m honored by this appointment and by the opportunity to represent Maine at the national level,” said Rep. Sarty. “These NCSL committees are forums for legislators from all over the country to share approaches and solutions to common problems. Hopefully I’ll be able to learn from the experience of other states. The idea is to pool our knowledge base and share best practices. I believe the most imaginative thinking about government is happening at the state level, not in Washington.”

In the Maine Legislature, Rep. Sarty serves on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; hunting; fishing; trapping; and recreational and hunter safety. It also has oversight responsibility for fisheries and wildlife research; fish hatcheries; wardens; licensing; ATVs; snowmobiles; boat safety registration; personal water craft; and white water rafting.

He said one of the strengths of the NCSL is its firm support for state sovereignty. “At a time of growing federal encroachment on states’ rights, we’re fortunate to have this strong advocate for federalism,” he said. The NCSL, based in Denver, is a bipartisan organization. Its committees have no actual legislative authority. Instead, they attempt to educate Congress and federal agencies as to state concerns regarding the most pressing state issues.

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