Resolve, To Establish the Blue Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Blue Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of the following 17 members appointed as follows:

1. Two members from the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate. In making these appointments, the President shall give preference to a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development;

2. Two members from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In making these appointments, the Speaker shall give preference to a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development;

3. The Executive Director of the Maine State Housing Authority or the executive director's designee;

4. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the commissioner's designee;

5. One representative of a statewide group dedicated to providing affordable housing, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

6. One representative of a statewide nonprofit group advocating on behalf of seniors, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

7. One representative of an organization practicing conservation planning, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

8. One representative of a statewide real estate organization, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

9. One representative of a developer of affordable housing, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

10. One representative of a statewide construction organization, appointed by the President of the Senate;

11. One representative who is an advocate for low-income persons, appointed by the President of the Senate;

12. One representative of a company producing modular housing, appointed by the President of the Senate;

13. One representative of a statewide supportive housing developer, appointed by the President of the Senate;

14. One representative of a provider of services to the homeless, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

15. One representative of the board of trustees of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, appointed by the President of the Senate.

The commission shall invite the state director of the Maine office of the United States Department of Agriculture or the director's designee to participate; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair of the commission 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. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall conduct a study of affordable housing policy in this State, review the status of housing in the State and develop a plan to maximize the investment of available resources and best meet the housing needs of the people of this State. The commission shall consider both single-family and multifamily housing.

1. In conducting its study, the commission shall:

2. The commission shall make recommendations to:

The recommendations must, to the fullest extent possible, build upon current efforts and include an estimate of the costs associated with implementing them; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, and upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further

Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the members of the commission who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission. Other members of the commission who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit its report, including the recommendations required by section 5, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature no later than February 15, 2012. The report must be presented to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, which may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature; and be it further

Sec. 9. Funding. Resolved: That the commission 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. 10. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.

LEGISLATURE

Study Commissions - Funding 0444

Initiative: Authorizes the expenditure of funding that may be received from outside sources for the Blue Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2011-12	2012-13
Personal Services	$880	$0
All Other	$3,750	$0
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$4,630	$0