Resolve, To Create the Committee To Conduct a Review of the Board of Overseers of the Bar
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 1077
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: JOY

Legislative Document 
No.t077 
H.P.795 
House of Representati ves, March 4, 2003 
Resolve, To Create the Committee To Conduct a Review of the 
Board of Overseers of the Bar 
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative JOY of Crystal. 
Printed on recycled paper 
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1??1JJ0£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Sec. 1. Committee established. Resolved: 
That the Committee to 
Conduct a Review of the Board of Overseers of the Bar, referred 
to in this resolve as "the committee," is established; and be it 
further 
Sec. 2. Committee membership. Resolved: 
consists of the fOllowing 7 members: 
That the committee 
1. 
Three members appointed by the Governor; 
2. 
Two members appointed by the President of the 
one 
from each of the 
political parties having the 
number of members in the Senate; and 
Senate, 
largest 
3. 
Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House, one 
from each of the 2 political parties having the largest number of 
members in the House. 
Not more than 2 members may be members of the Maine State 
Bar Association; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: 
That the first-named Senate member 
is the Senate chair of the committee and the first-named House of 
Representatives member is the House chair of the committee; and 
be it further 
Sec 4. Appointments; convening of committee. Resolved: 
That 
all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following 
th~ 
effective date of this resolve. 
The appointing authorities shalJ 
notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all 
appointments 
have 
been 
completed. 
Within 
days 
after 
appointment of all members, the executive director shall call and 
convene the first meeting of the committee; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: 
That the committee shall examine the 
following issues: 
1. 
The case load of the Board of Overseers of the Bar, 
referred to in this section as "the board"; 
Z. 
The disposition of cases before the board; 
3. 
The 
effectiveness 
of 
representation 
for 
publiC" 
complaints against members of the bar; 
4. 
The appeals process before the board; 
5. 
The 
method 
of 
assignments 
of 
cases 
within 
the 
organization of the board; and 
6. 
The assurance of justice within the legal system; and be 
it further 
Sec. f). Staff assistance. Resolved: 
That, upon approval of the 
Legislative Council, 
the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis 
shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee; and 
be it further 
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: 
That legislative members of 
the 
committee 
are entitled to 
the legislative per 
diem, 
as 
def ined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Ti tIe 3, section 2, and 
reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to 
their attendance at authorized meetings of the committee. 
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 committee; and 
be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: 
That, 
no later than January 15, 
2004, 
the 
committee shall submit 
a 
report that includes its 
findings 
and 
recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, 
for presentation to the 
Legislature. 
The 
committee 
is 
authorized 
to 
introduce 
legislati':lll related to its report to the Second Regular Session 
of the l2lst Leaislature at the time of submission of its report; 
and be it further 
Sec. 9. Extension. Resolved: 
That, if the committee requires 
c\ 
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 
~ec. 10. Committee budget. Resolved: 
That the chairs of the 
commi ttee, 
with 
assistance 
from 
the 
committee 
staff. 
shed I 
administer 
the 
committee's 
budget. 
Within 
days 
after its 
first meeting, 
the 
committee 
shall present 
a 
work 
plan 
c\I1el 
proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its appro~al. 
The 
committee 
may 
not 
incur 
expenses 
that 
would 
result 
1n 
the 
committee's exceeding its approved budget. 
Upon request from the 
commi ttee. 
the 
Executive Director of the Legislati \'e 
Counei 1 
shall promptly provide the committee chairs and staff with 
,\ 
status report on the committee budget, expenditures incurred and 
paid and available funds. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve creates the Committee to Conduct a Review of 
the Board of Overseers of the Bar.