Resolve, To Establish a Study Commission To Analyze Regulations Applicable to Sewer Districts
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1008
Committee: Utilities and Energy
Sponsors: NASS

Legislative Document 
No. 1008 
S.P.348 
In Senate, February 24, 2005 
Resolve, To Establish a Study Commission To Analyze Regulations 
Applicable to Sewer Districts 
Reference to the Committee on Utilities and Energy suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator NASS of York. 
Printed on recycled paper 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: 
That the Commission 
to Study and Analyze Regulations Applicable to Sewer Districts, 
referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; 
and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: 
That the commission 
consists of 5 members appointed as follows: 
1. 
One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of 
the Senate; 
2. 
One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by 
the Speaker of the House; 
3. 
Two members who are superintendents of different-sized 
sewer districts; and 
4. 
One 
member 
of 
the 
Department 
of 
Environmental 
Protection; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: 
That 
the 
Senate 
member 
is the 
Senate chair of the commission and the 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: 
That the commission 
the 
following 
issues 
concerning 
the 
analysis 
regulations applicable to sewer districts: 
shall examine 
of 
rules 
and 
1. 
Review rules and regulations, practices and education 
requirements of the sewer districts; and 
2. 
Review all testing requirements, especially 
testing, 
and 
any 
other 
issues 
the 
commission 
appropriate; and be it further 
discharge 
determines 
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 
Page l-LRl022(l) 
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: 
That the legislative members 
of the commission 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 
fi 
commission. 
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 commission; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: 
That, 
no later than January 17, 
2006, 
the commission shall submit a 
report that includes its 
findings 
and 
recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, 
for presentation to the 
122nd 
Legislature. 
The 
commission 
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; 
and be it further 
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 
2fi 
Sec. 10. Commission budget. Resolved: 
That the chairs of the 
?8 
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's exceeding its approved budget. 
Upon request from 
the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council 
shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a 
~6 
status report on the commission budget, expenditures incurred and 
paid and available funds. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes a study commission to analyze rules 
and regulations applicable to sewer districts, with the authority 
to report out legislation to the 122nd Legislature in January 
2006.