Sec. 6. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit its report, together with any recommended implementing legislation, to the 120th Legislature no later than November 7, 2002. If the commission requires an extension of time to make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further

Sec. 7. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide staffing assistance to the commission. The Office of Fiscal and Program Review, the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority shall also provide assistance as requested by the commission; and be it further

Sec. 8. Compensation. Resolved: That the legislative members of the commission are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission; and be it further

Sec. 9. Budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the commission, with assistance from the commission staff, shall administer the commission's budget. The commission may not incur expenses exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the commission and its staff with a status report on the commission's budget, expenditures incurred and remaining available funds.

SUMMARY

This resolve creates the Commission to Study Abolishing the Maine Turnpike Authority. Membership of the commission includes the 3 members of the Senate and 10 members of the House of Representatives who are members of the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation and the Commissioner of Transportation or the commissioner's designee. Commission duties include undertaking a comprehensive study to abolish the Maine Turnpike Authority. This comprehensive study must include a proposal that develops toll equity, an analysis of the availability of federal highway funds if the Maine Turnpike Authority is abolished, an analysis

of estimates in cost savings or losses if the Maine Turnpike Authority is abolished, an analysis of the implications of abolishing the Maine Turnpike Authority and a list of options that may provide a course of action to reallocate the functions, duties and obligations of the Maine Turnpike Authority to another agency. The commission shall submit a report to 120th Legislature no later than November 7, 2002.