Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study the Reduction of Unfunded and Outdated Municipal Mandates

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Commission To Study the Reduction of Unfunded and Outdated Municipal Mandates, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 13 members appointed as follows:

1. One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

2. One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. One member representing the Governor's office appointed by the Governor;

4. Three members, one of whom is a representative of the Maine Municipal Association, one of whom is a representative of the Maine County Commissioners Association and one of whom is a representative of a municipality with 5,001 to 7,000 residents, appointed by the President of the Senate;

5. Two members, one of whom is a representative of the Maine Town and City Clerks' Association and one of whom is a representative of a municipality with 10,001 to 20,000 residents, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

6. Two members who are representatives of municipalities of up to 2,000 residents, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

7. Three members, one of whom is a representative of a municipality with 2,001 to 5,000 residents, one of whom is a representative of a municipality with 7,001 to 10,000 residents and one of whom is a representative of a municipality with over 20,001 residents, appointed by the Governor.

A legislative member's term is vacated if the member is not reelected. When such a vacancy occurs, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall appoint a new legislative member; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the Senate member is the Senate chair and the 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 meet at least twice annually to review unfunded and outdated municipal mandates in order to provide recommendations and to report out a list of mandates for the Legislature to consider eliminating or revising; and be it further

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

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 31, 2017, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over state and local government matters.

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the Commission To Study the Reduction of Unfunded and Outdated Municipal Mandates. The commission is required to meet at least twice a year for 2 years to review unfunded and outdated municipal mandates in order to provide recommendations and to report out a list of mandates for the Legislature to consider eliminating or revising.