Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Study Priorities and Timing of Judicial Proceedings in State Courts

Sec. 1. Commission To Study Priorities and Timing of Judicial Proceedings in State Courts established. Resolved: That the Commission To Study Priorities and Timing of Judicial Proceedings in State Courts, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 9 members appointed as follows:

1. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including one member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;

2. Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including at least one member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;

3. Two members appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court;

4. One member appointed by the Attorney General; and

5. One representative of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association designated by the Maine Trial Lawyers Association; 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. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Participation. Resolved: That the commission shall seek the participation of the Maine State Bar Association, the Maine Prosecutors Association, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services and the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and may seek the participation of any other individuals or organizations whose participation or input may be helpful; and be it further

Sec. 6. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study the priority and timing of judicial proceedings in state courts including, but not limited to, judicial proceedings that require priority treatment pursuant to statute; and be it further

Sec. 7. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further

Sec. 8. Reimbursement. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, public members of the commission are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses; and be it further

Sec. 9. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 7, 2011, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. The Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary is authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.