CHAPTER 85
H.P. 333 - L.D. 425
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission to Study the Scope and Quality of Citizenship Education, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 15 members appointed as follows:
1. Two members of the Senate, one belonging to the political party holding the largest number of seats in the Senate and one belonging to the political party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate. Of these 2 members, one must have experience in the field of education;
2. Two members of the House of Representatives, one belonging to the political party holding the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives and one belonging to the political party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
3. Six members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:
A. One member who serves as a school administrative district superintendent;
B. One member who serves as the principal of a public school;
C. One member of a school board;
D. One representative of the Department of Education;
E. One representative of the Maine Chamber of Commerce; and
F. One educator with experience in civic education service learning and related areas; and
4. Five members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:
A. One dean of students from a college or university;
B. One student enrolled in and attending high school;
C. One student enrolled in and attending college; and
D. Two representatives of the nonprofit education sector in the State, one of whom represents kindergarten to grade 12 education and one of whom represents higher education; and be it further
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair of the commission and the first-named 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. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission; and be it further
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission may hold up to 4 meetings and shall examine the following:
1. The extent to which citizenship education, including service learning, is currently included in the visions, missions, values and practices of Maine school administrative districts and institutions of higher education;
2. The extent to which existing preservice and in-service professional development programs for educators address citizenship education;
3. National models for educational continua that cover preschool through college with the potential for preparing Maine students to be active and engaged citizens; and
4. Models for involving students and giving them a voice in the governance of our institutions and providing opportunities for student engagement and leadership; and be it further
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the legislative members of the commission are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at meetings of the commission. Public members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and, upon a demonstration of financial hardship, a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission; and be it further
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature no later than December 3, 2003. The commission is authorized to introduce a bill related to its report to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature; and be it further
Sec. 9. Extension. Resolved: That, if the commission requires a limited extension of time to complete its study and make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant an extension; and be it further
Sec. 10. Commission budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the commission, with assistance from the commission staff, shall administer the commission's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the commission shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The commission may not incur expenses that would result in the commission exceeding its approved budget.
Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council or the executive director's designee shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on the study budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds; and be it further
Sec. 11. Funding. Resolved: That the commission shall seek outside funds to fully fund all costs of the commission. If sufficient outside funding has not been received by August 15, 2003 to fully fund all costs of the commission, no meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed. Contributions to support the work of the commission may not be accepted from any party having a pecuniary or other vested interest in the outcome of the matters being studied. Any person, other than a state agency, desiring to make a financial or in-kind contribution must certify to the Legislative Council that it has no pecuniary or other vested interest in the outcome of the study. Such certification must be made in the manner prescribed by the Legislative Council. All contributions are subject to approval by the Legislative Council. All funds accepted must be forwarded to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council along with an accounting record that includes the amount of funds, the date the funds were received, from whom the funds were received and the purpose of and any limitation on the use of those funds. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council administers any funds received by the commission. The executive director shall notify the chairs of the commission when sufficient funding has been received; and be it further
Sec. 12. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.
LEGISLATURE
Commission to Study the Scope
and Quality of Citizenship Education
Initiative: Allocates funds for the postage, printing, legislative per diem and other expenses for 4 meetings of the commission.
Other Special Revenue Funds 2003-04 2004-05
Personal Services $1,320 $0
All Other 3,600 0
__________ __________
Other Special Revenue
Funds Total $4,920 $0
Effective September 13, 2003, unless otherwise indicated.
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