Resolve, To Create the Task Force on Disaster Resiliency

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

Whereas,  this resolve establishes the Task Force on Disaster Resiliency to investigate and strengthen the State's disaster response to extreme weather and sea level rise events; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted 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. Task force established. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Task Force on Disaster Resiliency, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 14 members appointed as follows:

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

3. Three members with expertise in disaster response appointed by the President of the Senate;

4. Three members with expertise in extreme weather and sea level rise events appointed by the Speaker of the House;

5. One member representing the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine Emergency Management Agency;

6. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the commissioner's designee; and

7. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the commissioner's designee; 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 task force; and be it further

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 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. 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 task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall:

1. Catalog resources in the State available to respond to extreme weather and sea level rise events;

2. Determine and evaluate community preparedness for extreme weather and sea level rise events throughout the State;

3. Produce recommendations to strengthen the State's resilience regarding extreme weather and sea level rise events; and

4. Determine the cost-effectiveness of the recommendations under subsection 3; and be it further

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

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 2, 2015, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation 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.

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the Task Force on Disaster Resiliency to investigate and strengthen the State's disaster response to extreme weather and sea level rise events.