Resolve, To Prepare Maine's Students for Active Citizenship
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0425
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: ROTUNDO, PINGREE, CATHCART

Legislative Document 
No. 425 
H.P.333 
House of Representatives, February 4, 2003 
Resolve, To Prepare Maine's Students for Active Citizenship 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representati ve CUMMINGS of Portland. 
Cosponsored by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin and 
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/J7.1J?dC~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representative: PINGREE of North Haven, Senator: CATHCART of Penobscot. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Emergency preamble. 
Whereas. 
Acts 
and 
Legislature 
do 
not 
become 
effective 
until 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
resolves 
of 
the 
days 
after 
Whereas, the people of the State of Maine have affirmed the 
importance of sustaining democracy through the enactment of the 
system 
of 
learning 
results, 
which 
explicitly 
requires 
that 
students recognize the power of personal participation skills to 
affect community; and 
Whereas, this resolve establishes the Commission to Study 
the Scope and Quality of Citizenship Education; and 
Whereas, this resolve is necessary as 
to afford adequate 
time 
for 
the 
issues 
addressed by the commission; and 
an emergency measure 
to 
be 
appropriately 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts 
create an emergency wi thin 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. 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 members appointed as follows: 
1. 
Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President 
of the Senate; 
2. 
Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed 
by the Speaker of the House; and 
3. 
Ten members appointed by the Governor as follows: 
A. 
One 
district 
school; 
member who serves 
superintendent or 
as 
the 
a school administrative 
principal of a public 
B. 
One representative of the Department of Education; 
C. 
One 
representative 
of 
the 
Maine 
Chamber 
of 
Commerce; 
D. 
One educator with experience in civic education 
service learning and related areas; 
Page l-LR1231(1) 
E. 
One dean of students from a college or university; 
F. 
Two students enrolled in and attending high school; 
G. 
Two students enrolled in and attending college; and 
H. 
One 
representative 
of 
the 
nonprofit 
education 
sector in the State; 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: 
the following: 
That the commission shall examine 
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 
professional 
development 
programs 
citizenship education; 
preservice and in-service 
for 
educators 
address 
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 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 
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 l2lst 
Legislature no later than December 3, 2003. 
The commission is 
authorized to introduce legislation related to its report to the 
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 Councilor 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. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the 
preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission to Study the Scope 
and Quality of Citizenship Education.