Resolve, To Amend the Resolve Establishing the Task Force on Franco-Americans

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the Task Force on Franco-Americans was established by Resolve 2011, chapter 102 to find ways to promote and preserve the Franco-American heritage that is shared by a great number of Maine citizens; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be convened and completed and a report prepared in time for submission to the next legislative session; 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. Resolve 2011, c. 102, §4, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 102, §4 is amended to read:

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The  the appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force. The chairs may call and convene the first meeting of the task force during the Second Regular Session or any subsequent special session of the 125th Legislature. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve  adjournment of the Second Regular Session or any subsequent special session of the 125th Legislature a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 2. Resolve 2011, c. 102, §6, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 102, §6 is amended to read:

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force , except that the Legislative Council staff support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session. The Franco-American Center at the University of Maine shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force when the Legislature is in regular or special session; and be it further

Sec. 3. Resolve 2011, c. 102, §7, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 102, §7 is amended to read:

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 7, 2011, the task force shall provide a preliminary report with draft recommendations to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature. The  notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the final report, including findings and recommendations, must be submitted to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs by November 7  December 15, 2012. That joint standing committee is authorized to introduce a bill to the First Regular Session of the 126th Legislature related to the subject matter of the report; and be it further

Sec. 4. Resolve 2011, c. 102, §8, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 102, §8 is amended to read:

Sec. 8. Meetings; outside funding. Resolved: That the task force is authorized to hold 4 meetings. The task force shall seek funding contributions to fully fund the costs of the study. All funding is subject to approval by the Legislative Council in accordance with its policies. If sufficient contributions to fund the study have not been received within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve, no meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed; and be it further

Sec. 5. Retroactivity. Resolved: That this resolve applies retroactively to July 6, 2011.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve, which is an emergency, amends Resolve 2011, chapter 102, which established the Task Force on Franco-Americans. The resolve extends the time during which appointments may be made for the task force and authorizes the task force to hold 4 meetings. The resolve also provides that the task force chairs may call and convene the first meeting of the task force during the Second Regular Session or any subsequent special session of the 125th Legislature. It also directs the Franco-American Center at the University of Maine to provide necessary staffing services to the task force when the Legislature is in regular or special session. The resolve also adds a retroactivity clause.