Resolve, To Study the Citizen Initiative Process
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1292
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: CLARK, FISHER, HOTHAM, MOODY, PATRICK

Legislative Document 
No. 1292 
H.P.889 
House of Representatives, March 15,2005 
Resolve, To Study the Citizen Initiative Process 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by l\epresentative SA VIELLO of Wilton. 
17/~ 
1?1.11!tU:~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Cosponsored by Representatives: CLARK of Millinocket, FISHER of Brewer, HOTHAM of 
Dixfield, MOODY of Manchester, PATRICK of Rumford. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: 
That the Task Force to 
Study the Citizen Initiative Process, 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 8 members appointed as follows: 
1. 
Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of 
the Senate; 
2. 
Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed 
by the Speaker of the House; and 
3. 
Four members appointed by the Governor: 
A. 
One member representing a 
statewide organization with 
experience in opposition to a citizen initiative; 
B. 
One member representing a consulting group or business 
that offers referendum campaign services; 
C. 
One member representing a citizens' group that initiated 
by petition a proposal that was enacted by the Legislature 
or by the people of the State in referendum; and 
D. 
One member representing the general pUblic; and be it 
further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: 
That the Secretary of State shall 
serve as 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. 
Wi thin 
days 
after 
appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the 
first meeting of the task force; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: 
That the task force 
shall hold 
meetings at various locations in the State, to be determined by 
the chair. 
The task force shall develop a 
proposal with any 
suggested changes to the citizen initiative process; 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 January 2, 
2006, 
the task force shall submit a report that includes its 
findings 
and 
recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, 
for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd 
Legislature. 
The 
task 
force 
is 
authorized 
to 
introduce 
legislation related to its report to the task force 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 furt~er 
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. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Task Force to Study the Citizen 
Initiative Process. 
The resolve also directs the task force to 
file its report by January 2, 2006.