Resolve, To Reform the Land Use and Planning Authority in the Unorganized Territory

Sec. 1. Commission on Reform of the Governance of Land Use Planning in the Unorganized Territory established. Resolved: That the Commission on Reform of the Governance of Land Use Planning in the Unorganized Territory, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established to advise the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on matters relating to land use planning and regulation in the unorganized territory; and be it further

Sec. 2. Membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 13 members, as follows:

1. The Commissioner of Conservation or the commissioner's designee;

2. Two residents of the unorganized territory, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. One representative of a large landowner in the unorganized territory engaged in the forest products industry, appointed by the Governor;

4. One representative of a small landowner in the unorganized territory engaged in the forest products industry, appointed by the Governor;

5. Two county commissioners from counties with significant acreage in the unorganized territory, one appointed by the President of the Senate, and one appointed by the Speaker of the House;

6. One representative of a statewide sportsmen's organization, appointed by the Governor;

7. One representative of a statewide environmental or conservation organization, appointed by the President of the Senate;

8. One representative of a regional environmental or conservation organization, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

9. One representative of the tourism or outdoor recreation industry in the unorganized territory, appointed by the Governor;

10. One representative of a regional or local economic development organization serving an area that includes unorganized territory, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

11. One regional planner from a council of governments in a county with significant acreage in the unorganized territory, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chair. Resolved: That, after all members of the commission have been named, the Governor shall designate one member to serve as chair and another member to serve as vice-chair; and be it further

Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall:

1. Consider reforming the governance of land use planning in the unorganized territory and make recommendations on the role of state agencies and county government, the planning and appeals process and opportunities for increased self-determination in land use planning in the unorganized territory;

2. Ensure that any recommendation that entails the elimination of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, referred to in this resolve as "LURC," provides an effective transition process, including a plan for LURC to complete any pending work or transfer the work to relevant agencies;

3. Ensure uniform standards across the unorganized territory for timber harvesting activities and forest management, wildlife habitat protection and issues under the jurisdiction of the Natural Resources Protection Act; and

4. Consider options for reforming the governance of land use planning in the unorganized territory; and be it further

Sec. 5. Meetings; interim update. Resolved: That the commission shall meet as necessary to complete the assigned duties. The commission shall hold no fewer than 2 public listening sessions on dates determined by the commission. The commission shall meet with the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than October 28, 2011 for an update on the progress of the commission; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staffing. Resolved: That the Department of Conservation shall provide staff support to the commission within existing resources. The Commissioner of Conservation shall invite resource people to assist as appropriate, including individuals with past experience as LURC commissioners and staff; and be it further

Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That members of the commission do not receive compensation for their time, travel or other expenses; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall complete its work no later than December 15, 2011 and submit its report and recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than January 4, 2012; and be it further

Sec. 9. Authority to submit legislation. Resolved: That the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall submit legislation reforming the governance of land use planning in the unorganized territory to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature to take effect in fiscal year 2012-13.