Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Determine Why Young People Are Leaving Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 1327
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: STRIMLING

12lst MAINE LEGISLATURE 
Legislative Document 
No. 1327 
S.P.429 
In Senate, March 11, 2003 
Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Determine Why Young 
People Are Leaving Maine 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator STRIMLING of Cumberland. 
Printed on recycled paper 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Emergency preamble. 
Whereas, 
A.cts 
and 
Legislature 
do 
not 
become 
effective 
until 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
resolves 
of 
the 
days 
after 
Whereas, the commission established in this resolve must 
initiate its study 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 wi thin the meaning of the Cons ti tution 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. Commission established. Resolved: 
That the Commission 
to Determine Why Young People A.re Leaving Maine, referred to in 
this resolve as "the commission, ft 
is established; 
and be it 
further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: 
That the commission 
consists of 9 members appointed as follows: 
1. 
The 
youngest 
female 
member 
of 
the 
House 
of 
Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
2. 
A male member of the House of Representatives, appointed 
by the Speaker of the House, who is of a different party from the 
other legislative member of the House of Representatives and is 
from a different geographic region from the other legislative 
members; 
3. 
The youngest member of the Senate, 
appointed by the 
President of the Senate; 
4. 
A member of the Senate, appointed by the President of 
the Senate, who is of a different gender and different party from 
the 
other 
legislative 
member 
of 
the 
Senate 
and 
is 
from 
a 
different geographic region from the other legislative members; 
5. 
Three members of the public who are under 21 years of 
age, one appointed by the President of the Senate and 2 appointed 
by the Speaker of the House; 
6. 
One expert in the field of migration, appointed by the 
President of the Senate; and 
7. 
One expert on Maine, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 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 
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 shall examine 
the following issues to determine why young people are leaving 
the State and why more young people are not moving to the State: 
employment opportunities, nightlife, 
educational opportunities, 
immigration policies, culture and the history of the State. 
In 
conducting the study, the commission shall hold 12 informational 
sessions 
in 
different 
locations 
throughout 
the 
State 
for 
discussions with knowledgeable persons. 
The commission may also: 
1. 
Conduct, 
summarize 
and 
analyze 
the 
results 
of 
a 
literature search; 
2. 
Conduct, tabulate and analyze the results of a survey of 
the public or affected persons and groups; 
3. 
Procure and analyze other data; 
4. 
Conduct legal research and prepare opinions on legal 
questions within the scope of the study; and 
5. 
Determine 
and 
summarize 
the 
legislative 
actions 
or 
governmental programs undertaken in other jurisdictions related 
to issues within the scope of the study; 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 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 for their attendance 
at 
authorized 
meetings 
of 
the 
commission 
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 1, 
2003, 
the commission shall submit a 
report that includes its 
findings 
and recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, 
for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 121st 
Legislature. 
The commission is authorized to submit legislation 
related to its report for introduction to the Second Regular 
Session of the 121st 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 
Councilor or the executive director's designee shall promptly 
provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on 
the 
commission 
budget, 
expenditures 
incurred 
and 
paid 
and 
available funds. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the 
preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission to Determine Why 
Young People Are Leaving Maine.