Resolve, To Create the Task Force To Study County Government Efficiency
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0700
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: BARSTOW, MAYO, BULL, DUNLAP, PARADIS, PINGREE, RECTOR, SMITH, ROTUNDO

Legislative Document 
No. 700 
H.P.517 
House of Representatives, February 14,2003 
Resolve, To Create the Task Force To Study County Government 
Efficiency 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative BARSTOW of Gorham. 
Cosponsored by Senator MAYO of Sagadahoc and 
7il~ 
1?1.1T/P£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: BULL of Freeport, DUNLAP of Old Town, McLAUGHLIN of Cape 
Elizabeth, PARADIS of Frenchville, PINGREE of North Haven, RECTOR of Thomaston, 
SMITH of Monmouth, Senator: ROTUNDO of Androscoggin. 
Printed on rec;ycled paper 
Emergency preamble. 
Whereas. Acts 
Legislature 
do 
not 
become 
effective 
and 
resolves 
of 
the 
until 
days 
after 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this resolve creates the Task Force to Study County 
Government Efficiency; and 
Whereas, 
the study must 
be initiated 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 within 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. Task force established. Resolved: 
That the Task Force to 
Study County Government Efficiency, referred to in this resolve 
as "the task force," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: 
That the task force 
consists of 14 members appointed as follows: 
the 
1. 
Four members 
President of the 
of the Legislature, appointed jointly by 
Senate and the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives; 
2. 
Four 
members 
from 
the 
Greater 
Portland 
Council 
of 
Governments, appointed by the Governor; 
3. 
Four 
members 
from 
the 
Maine 
Municipal 
Association, 
appointed by the Governor; and 
4. 
Two members of the public, appointed by the Governor; 
and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: 
That the public members are the 
chairs of the task force; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. 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 task force; and be it further 
Page l-LR0348 (1) 
I 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: 
That the task force shall examine 
the following issues concerning county government efficiency: 
1. 
The 
general 
roles 
and 
responsibilities 
of 
county 
compare to 
Maine; 
government and how these roles and responsibilities 
county governments in other states that are similar to 
2. 
Ways that state and municipal government can take better 
advantage of the regional nature of county government regarding 
the providing of services to the taxpayers; 
3. 
The geographic composition and boundaries of counties in 
this State compared to other states; and 
4. 
Financing of county government; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: 
That, upon 
Legislative Council, 
the Office of Policy and 
shall provide necessary staffing services to the 
be it further 
approval of the 
Legal Analysis 
task force; and 
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: 
That the legislative members 
of the task force 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 meetings of the task force. 
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 task force; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: 
That the task force shall submit a 
report that includes its findings and recommendations, including 
suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on State 
and Local Government and the Legislative Council by December 1, 
2003. 
The task force is authorized to introduce legislation 
related to its report to the Second Regular Session of the l2lst 
Legislature at the time of submission of its report; and be it 
further 
Sec. 9. Extension. Resolved: 
That, if the task force 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. Task force budget. Resolved: 
That the chairs of the 
task force, 
with assistance from the task force staff , 
shall 
administer the task force's budget. 
Within 10 days after its 
first meeting, 
the task force shall present a 
work plan and 
proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. 
The 
task force may not incur expenses that would result in the task 
force's exceeding its approved budget. 
Upon request from the 
task force, 
the Executive Director of the Legislative Council 
shall promptly provide the task force chairs and staff with a 
status report on the task force 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 Task Force to Study County 
Government Efficiency.