CHAPTER 128
H.P. 854 - L.D. 1236
Resolve, To Establish the Study Commission Regarding Liveable Wages
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Study Commission Regarding Liveable Wages, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of the following members appointed as follows:
1. Two Senators who are members of different political parties, appointed by the President of the Senate;
2. Three members of the House of Representatives of whom no more than 2 are members of the same political party, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
3. A representative of the business community, recommended by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and appointed by the President of the Senate;
4. A representative of municipal government, recommended by the Maine Municipal Association and appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
5. A representative of organized labor, recommended by the Maine AFL-CIO and appointed by the President of the Senate;
6. A representative of an advocacy organization for the poor or for women, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
7. The Commissioner of Labor or the commissioner's designee, as an ex officio, nonvoting member;
8. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee, as an ex officio, nonvoting member; and
9. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the commissioner's designee, as an ex officio, nonvoting member; 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, which must be no later than October 1, 2005; and be it further
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study the issues surrounding liveable wages. In conducting its review, the commission shall undertake to:
1. Define what level of compensation constitutes a liveable wage;
2. Identify ways to ensure that all Maine adults earn a liveable wage;
3. Examine the efficacy of a state earned income tax credit that would enable working families to meet their basic needs;
4. Examine how increased access to education and training and access to child care increases the likelihood of earning a liveable wage and identify means of increasing such access;
5. Identify the number of people in Maine who earn less than a liveable wage;
6. Examine how state policies and payments, including MaineCare and other state health care related payments, contribute to the number of Mainers who earn less than a liveable wage; and
7. Examine the economic impact to the State of a liveable wage, including potential effects on job creation or loss; costs of goods and services; competitiveness of Maine businesses in other states; government spending on social services; tax revenue; and whether a mandated liveable wage would continue to drive up the costs of goods and services, which would in turn drive up the liveable wage; 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. 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 authorized 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, no later than December 7, 2005, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature. The commission is authorized to introduce legislation related to its report to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature at the time of submission of its report; 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's exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on the commission budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.
Effective September 17, 2005.
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