Resolve, To Establish the Commission to Study the Efficiency of State Business Assistance Services
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1299
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: MOODY, COWGER, DAVIS, FISCHER, FLOOD, LERMAN, PERCY, RICHARDSON, WATSON

Legislative Document 
No. 1299 
H.P.896 
House of Representatives, March 15,2005 
Resolve, To Establish the Commission to Study the Efficiency of 
State Business Assistance Services 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development suggested 
and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative MOODY of Manchester. 
Cosponsored by Senator COWGER of Kennebec and 
'111~ 1J7. 771d£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: DAVIS of Falmouth, FISCHER of Presque Isle, FLOOD of Winthrop, 
LERMAN of Augusta, PERCY of Phippsburg, Speaker RICHARDSON of Brunswick, 
WATSON of Bath. 
Printed on le'-=ycleu paper 
...-10 
Emergency preamble. 
Whereas, acts 
and 
Legislature 
do 
not 
become 
effective 
until 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
resolves 
of 
the 
days 
after 
Whereas, this resolve establishes the Committee to Study the 
Efficiency of State Business Assistance Services; 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. Commission established. Resolved: 
That the Commission 
to Study the Efficiency of State Business Assistance Services, 
referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established: 
and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: 
That the commission 
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: 
3. 
Two 
members representing small businesses wi th 50 or 
fewer employees, appointed by the President of the Senate: 
4. 
One member representing large busina~ses with more than 
employees, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and 
5. 
The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development; 
and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: 
That the first-named Senate member 
is the Senate chair of the commission and the first-named 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 shall: 
l. 
Community 
services; 
Review, 
jointly with 
Development, 
all 
and 
the Department of Economic 
and 
state-funded 
business 
assistance 
2. 
Report 
its 
recommendations 
for 
the 
coordinating and packaging of services to enhance 
state resources and expertise; and be it furthar 
streamlining, 
the delivery of 
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 
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 
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 December 7, 
2005, 
the commission shall submit a 
report that includes its 
findings 
and 
recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, 
for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Business, 
Research and Economic Development and the Legislative Council. 
The 
commission 
is 
not 
authorized 
to 
introduce 
legislation. 
Following receipt and review of the report, the Joint Standing 
Committee 
on Business, 
Research and 
Economic 
Development 
may 
report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd 
Legislature. 
The report must be included in the Department of Economic 
and 
Community 
Development's 
biennial 
report 
to 
the 
Governor 
pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 13058, 
subsection 5; 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 
Sec. 10. Commission budget. Resolved: 
That the chairs of the 
commission, 
with assistance 
from 
the 
commission staff, 
shall 
administer the commission's budget. 
Wi thin 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 
status report on the commission budget, expenciitures 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 creates the Commission to Study the Efficiency 
of State Business Assistance Services and directs the commission 
to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Business, 
Research and Economic Development.