Resolve, To Establish a Blue Ribbon Commission To Study Maine's Homeland Security Needs
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1645
Committee Amendment CA_A-HA_A_H714 (House)

HOUSE AMENDMENT ,~, to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 610, 
L.D. 1645, "Resolve, To Establish a Blue Ribbon Commission To 
Study Maine's Homeland Security Needs" 
Amend the amendment by striking out everything after the 
first paragraph after the title and before the 
summary 
and 
inserting in its place the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts 
and 
Legislature 
do 
not 
become 
effective 
until 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
resolves 
of 
the 
days 
after 
Whereas, it is appropriate and timely to create a task force 
to receive the report of Maine's Homeland Security Task Force and 
to involve and educate the Legislature and the public regarding 
the issues of preparedness and emergency response; and 
Whereas, it is also important to identify the State's needs 
and resource gaps regarding homeland security; 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 Maine's 
Homeland Security Needs, 
referred to in this 
resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
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HOUSE AMENDMENT ,A:'; to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 610, L.D. 
1645 
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: 
That the task force 
consists of 11 members appointed as follows: 
1. 
Two 
Senators, 
who 
may not be members 
of the 
same 
political party, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. 
Four members of the House of Representatives, who may 
not all be members of the same political party, appointed by the 
Speaker of the House; and 
3. 
Five members representing the public interest who are 
not directly involved in emergency preparedness 
or 
homeland 
security, 
one appointed by the President of the Senate, one 
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 3 
members appointed by the Governor; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chair. Resolved: 
That the first-named Senate member 
is the Senate chair of the task force and the first-named House 
of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force; 
and be it further 
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of iask 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, which may be no later than 
August I, 2005; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: 
That the task force shall do the 
following: 
1. 
Review 
Maine's 
homeland 
including, 
but 
not 
limited 
to, 
preparedness, 
public 
health, 
port 
sensitive-target security; 
security 
needs 
in 
areas, 
law 
enforcement, 
emergency 
and 
airport 
security 
and 
2. 
Review 
the 
current 
state 
of 
homeland 
security 
preparedness, spending priorities and any gap between available 
resources 
and identified needs 
in such areas 
as 
personnel, 
equipment and training, including review of the impact of Maine 
National 
Guard 
and 
Reserve 
deployments 
abroad 
on 
Maine's 
emergency preparedness; 
3. As part of its review of needs and preparedness, receive 
a report on the status of the Maine's Homeland Security Task 
Force report on its vision and plans and the status of those 
plans as of May 2005; 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
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HOUSE AMENDMENT ·h· to COMMI TTEE AMENDMENT " A" to S. P. 610, L. D • 
1645 
4. 
Hold at least 2 of its meetings outside of Augusta and 
provide an opportunity for public comment at those meetings; and 
5. 
Review ways to improve the flow of information to the 
Legislature 
and 
the 
general 
public 
about 
Maine' s 
homeland 
security needs and preparedness; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: 
That 
Management Agency shall provide necessary 
the task force; and be it further 
the Maine 
Emergency 
staffing services to 
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: 
That the legislative members 
of the task force are entitled to receive 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 task 
force. 
All other 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 attendance at authorized meetings of the 
task force; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: 
That, 
no later than December 7, 
2005, the task force shall submit an interim report that includes 
findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to 
the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature. 
The task 
force is authorized to introduce legislation related to its 
report to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature at 
the time of submission of its report. 
No later than November 1, 
2006, the task force shall submit a final report that includes 
its 
findings 
and 
recommendations, 
including 
suggested 
legislation, 
to 
the 
First 
Regular 
Session 
of 
the 
123rd 
Legislature. 
The 
task 
force 
is 
authorized 
to 
introduce 
legislation related to its report to the First Regular Session of 
the 123rd 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 interim or final 
study and make its report, it may apply to the Legislative 
Council, which may grant an extension; and be it further 
Sec. 10. 
Funding. Resolved: 
That 
the 
Maine 
Emergency 
Management 
Agency shall transfer $5,320 at the beginning of 
fiscal year 2005-06 and $5,320 at the beginning of fiscal year 
2006-07 to the Legislature to support the cost of the task force; 
and be it further 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
HOUSE AMENDMENT "A: to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 610, L.D. 
1645 
Sec. 11. 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; and be it further 
Sec. 12. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: 
following appropriations and allocations are made. 
LEGISLATURE 
Miscellaneous Studies 
0444 
That 
the 
Ini tiati ve: 
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses for 
members of the Task Force to Study Maine's Homeland Security 
Needs as well as public hearings and other costs to support the 
meetings of the task force. 
O'l'BER SPECIAL REvENUE FUNDS 
Personal Services 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
2005-06 
$1,320 
$4,000 
$5,320 
2006-07 
$1,320 
$4,000 
$5,320 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the 
preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment directs the Maine Emergency Management Agency 
to staff and fund the task force, instead of the Legislature. 
The 
amendment 
also 
removes 
references 
to 
the 
congressional 
delegation. 
SPONSORED BY: 
(Representative 
TOWN: 
Westbrook 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
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""116 
Approved: 06/16/05 ;tvae 
LD 1645 
LR2206(04) 
Resolve, To Establish a Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Maine's Homeland Security Needs 
Fiscal Note for House Amendment A" to Committee Amendment ,~ 
Sponsor: Rep. Duplessie 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Task force funded 
Legislative Study 
This amendment includes an allocation of Other Special Revenue Funds to the Legislature in the amount of$5,320 in 
fiscal year 2005-06 and 2006-07. These funds will be transferred to the Legislature from the Maine Emergency 
Management Agency to support the costs of the study. 
LR2206(4) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1