Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §2, 3rd ¶, as amended by PL 1999, c. 509, §2, is further amended to read:

Except as provided in this section, each member of the Senate and House of Representatives is entitled to a meal allowance in the amount of $32 and a housing allowance in the amount of $38 for each day in attendance at sessions of the Legislature and for each day the member occupies overnight accommodations away from home either immediately preceding or immediately following attendance at daily sessions of the Legislature. The presiding officers may establish reasonable policies regarding allowances for meals and overnight accommodations for the day immediately preceding the session, which may include policies regarding whether an allowance is paid, whether the full amount or a portion of the statutory allowance is paid and whether receipts are required. In lieu of the meal and housing allowance, each member is entitled to a daily meal allowance in the amount of $32 and actual daily mileage allowances in an amount up to but not exceeding $38 per day. Each member of the Senate also receives an annual allowance for constituent services in the amount of $2,000, $1,300 at the start of each regular session in January and $700 in the month following adjournment of the regular session. Each member of the House of Representatives also receives an annual allowance for constituent services in the amount of $1,500, $1,005 at the start of each regular session in January and $495 in the month following adjournment of the regular session.

SUMMARY

This bill changes when Legislators receive the 1st installment payment of the annual allowance for constituent services. Current law provides that this installment be paid at the start of each regular session. This bill provides that this installment be paid in January.