Whereas, the characteristics of land ownership and patterns of development in the unorganized territories are changing at a rapid rate, and the development pressures associated with those changes are increasingly similar to those in organized areas of the State; and

Whereas, current occurring fragmentation of land ownership in the unorganized territories is resulting in more landowners holding smaller parcels of land accompanied by increased construction of residential and other development; and

Whereas, major development proposals by large landowners in the unorganized territories are occurring at a significant rate; and

Whereas, the cost of providing basic government services such as fire protection for structures and forest lands and land use regulation is not always related to the size of land holdings, and the changes in ownership and development patterns result in an unequal demand and cost of providing services throughout the unorganized territories; and

Whereas, the costs of providing basic governmental services ought to be borne equitably by those owning land or residing in the unorganized territories; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission to Study the Cost of Providing Certain Services in the Unorganized Territories, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 12 members appointed as follows:

1. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, at least one of whom is a member of either the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources;

2. Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, at least one of whom is a member of