Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 2: Standards for Qualifications of Assigned Counsel, a Late-filed Major Substantive Rule of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services

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 Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A requires legislative authorization before major substantive agency rules may be finally adopted by the agency; and

Whereas,  the above-named major substantive rule has been submitted to the Legislature outside the legislative rule acceptance period; and

Whereas,  immediate enactment of this resolve is necessary to record the Legislature's position on final adoption of the rule; 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. Adoption. Resolved: That final adoption of portions of Chapter 2: Standards for Qualifications of Assigned Counsel, a provisionally adopted major substantive rule of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services that has been submitted to the Legislature for review pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A outside the legislative rule acceptance period, is authorized only if the following change is made:

1. The rule must be amended in section 2, subsection 1, paragraph c) to provide that an attorney must inform the commission in writing within 5 days of the filing of any criminal charge against the attorney.

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