Resolve, To Establish the Maine Public Health Commission
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 1301
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: COWGER, BRENNAN, CRAVEN, FAIRCLOTH, KANE, KOFFMAN, LA VERRIERE-BOUCHER, NORBERT, SIMPSON

Legislative Document 
No. 1301 
H.P.955 
House of Representatives, March 11,2003 
Resolve, To Establish the Maine Public Health Commission 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative COWGER of Hallowell. 
Cosponsored by Senator BRENNAN of Cumberland and 
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MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: CRAVEN of Lewiston, DUGA Y of Cherryfield, FAIRCLOTH of Bangor, 
KANE of Saco, KOFFMAN of Bar Harbor, LA VERRIERE-BOUCHER of Biddeford, 
NORBERT of Portland, SIMPSON of Auburn. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Sec. 1. 
Commission established. 
Resolved: 
That 
the 
Maine 
Public Health Commission, referred to in this resolve as "the 
commission," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: 
That the commission 
consists of 19 members appointed as follows: 
1. 
Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of 
the Senate; 
2. 
Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed 
by the Speaker of the House; 
3. 
Five 
members 
of 
a 
public 
health 
or 
health 
care 
organization, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
4. 
Five 
members 
of 
a 
public 
health 
or 
health 
care 
organization, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and 
5. 
Five 
members 
of 
a 
public 
health 
or 
health 
care 
organization, appointed by the Governor; 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 develop a 
legislative proposal 
for 
a 
regional public health system 
to 
improve and protect the public health, recognizing the importance 
of disease prevention to controlling health care costs. 
Any 
proposed 
system must 
be 
integrated with the 
current or 
any 
proposed health care system in the State; 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 
of 
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: 
the 
commission 
are 
entitled 
That the legislative members 
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 
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 November 1, 
2003, 
the commission shall submit a 
report that includes its 
findings 
and 
recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, 
for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and 
Human Services and the Legislative Council. 
The commission is 
authorized to introduce legislation related to its report to the 
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. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Maine Public Health Commission 
to develop a proposal for the Second Regular Session of the 121st 
Legislature for a regional public health system to improve and 
protect the public health. 
Proposals by the commission must be 
integrated with the current or any proposed health care system in 
the State.