Resolve, Creating a Commission To Study the Issue of Homeless Veterans in the State

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission to Study the Issue of Homeless Veterans, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 13 members appointed as follows:

1. Four members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:

2. Seven members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:

3. The Director of the Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management or the director’s designee; and

4. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner’s designee; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the commission; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission, which must be no later than 30 days after the appointments; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall, in consultation with a representative of the Veterans Administration, examine the issue of homeless veterans, who are reported to constitute at least 1/3 of the nation's homeless population, and to examine causes, possible solutions and what further assistance can be given to homeless veterans in the State; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than November 1, 2009, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. The Joint Standing Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs is authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature upon receipt of the report.

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes a study commission to review and examine, in consultation with a representative of the Veterans Administration, the issue of homeless veterans, who are reported to constitute at least 1/3 of the nation's homeless population, and to examine causes, possible solutions and what further assistance can be given to homeless veterans in the State.