‘Resolve, To Create a Working Group To Develop Solutions To Meet the Needs for Municipal Volunteer Personnel’

‘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 Municipal Volunteer Working Group established in this resolve will make important recommendations regarding ways to recruit, train and retain essential volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report produced 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. Municipal Volunteer Working Group established. Resolved: That the Municipal Volunteer Working Group, referred to in this resolve as "the working group," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Working group membership. Resolved: That the working group consists of 9 members appointed as follows:

1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, one from the party with the greatest number of members and one from the party with the 2nd greatest number of members;

2. Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, at least one of whom is from the party with the greatest number of members and at least one of whom is from the party with the 2nd greatest number of members;

3. One representative from the Maine State Federation of Firefighters, appointed by the President of the Senate;

4. One volunteer firefighter or emergency responder who may be active or nonactive, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

5. One chief of a volunteer fire department, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

6. One representative from the Maine Fire Chiefs' Association, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 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 working group; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of working group. 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 working group. 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 working group to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the working group shall find solutions to the recruitment, training and retention problems facing volunteer fire departments and volunteer emergency medical services providers in Maine.

The working group shall solicit input from municipalities with volunteer fire departments and volunteer emergency medical services, volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical services providers and members of the public. The working group shall identify the reasons for recruitment, training and retention problems and recommend solutions; and be it further

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

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 2, 2015, the working group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. The committee may submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.

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