Resolve, To Evaluate the Public Safety Answering Points for the State of Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1969
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Legislative Document 
No. 1969 
H.P.1379 
House of Representatives, January 19,2006 
Resolve, To Evaluate the Public Safety Answering Points for the 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reported by Representati ve BLANCHETTE of Bangor for the Maine Fire Protection 
Services Commission pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 3371. 
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed under Joint Rule 218. 
Printed on m:ycled paper 
11l~/J1.7J?~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the Task Force to Evaluate Public Safety Answering Points is charged 
with reviewing goals already established in statute; 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 foHowing 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 Evaluate 
Public Safety Answering Points, 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 9 
members appointed as foHows: 
1. Two Senators, appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom serves on 
the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources and one of whom serves on the Joint 
Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety; 
2. Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, 2 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources and 2 of 
whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety; 
3. One member representing a statewide association of sheriffs, appointed by the 
President of the Senate; 
4. One member representing a statewide association of fire chiefs, appointed by the 
Speaker ofthe House; and 
5. The Commissioner of Public Safety or the commissioner's designee; and be it 
further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senator 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 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 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force, which 
must be no later than August 1,2006; and be it further 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall review the goals expressed 
in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25, section 2926, subsection 2-A and evaluate 
whether establishing 16 to 24 public safety answering point sites and dispatch centers is 
the best plan for a coordinated statewide E-9-l-l system. In making its evaluation, the 
task force shall take into consideration technological achievements that may allow a 
reduction in the number of public safety answering point sites, which may reduce costs 
and improve the efficiency of the statewide E-9-l-l system. The task force must also 
address the issue of interoperability and explore means to ensure that the various entities 
comprising the system are able to communicate effectively. The task force may invite the 
participation of interested parties and may conduct 4 public hearings in Augusta in the 
course of its study; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further 
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. 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 task force; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than November 17, 2006, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over natural resources matters and the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice and public safety matters. 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 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 
I 
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's 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 Evaluate Public Safety Answering Points. 
The task force is given the task of reviewing and evaluating whether the goal of between 
and 24 public safety answering points, which is established by statute, is the best plan 
for the State in its overall E-9-1-1 plan.