Resolve, To Establish a Study Commission To Reform Taxes and Spending in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1109
Committee: Taxation
Sponsors: BOWMAN, TURNER, WEAVER

Legislative Document 
S.P.361 
Resolve, To Establish a Study Commission To Reform Taxes and 
Spending in Maine 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Taxation suggested and ordered printed. 
No. 1109 
March 6, 2007 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator BOWMAN of York. 
Cosponsored by Representati ve HILL of York and 
Senator: TURNER of Cumberland, Representative: WEAVER of York. 
Printed on recycled paper 
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 Commission To Study the Reform of Taxes and Spending in Maine is 
established in this resolve; 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 Reform of Taxes and Spending in Maine, referred to in this resolve as "the 
commission," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows: 
1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; 
3. One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
4. One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the House Minority 
Leader; and 
5. 
Three members of the public having expertise III taxation and budgeting, 
appointed by the Governor; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first Senate member named by the President 
of the Senate is the Senate chair of the commission and the first House of Representatives 
member named by the Speaker of the House 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 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission, 
which must be no later than 60 days following the effective date of this resolve; and be it 
further 
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Sec. 5. 
Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall review the Brookings 
Institution report, "Charting Maine's Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable 
Prosperity and Quality Places," and design reforms to the taxation and spending structure 
in Maine with a focus on efficiency for submission to the Second Regular Session of the 
123rd Legislature for a straight yes or no vote without amendments; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council 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 January 15, 2008, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature. The 
commission is authorized to introduce legislation related to its report 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 
Sec. 10. Commission budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the 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 status report on the 
commission budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes a study commission to review the Brookings Institution 
report, "Charting Maine's Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable Prosperity 
and Quality Places." The commission is to report back with suggested legislation for a 
yes or no vote, without amendments, on tax and spending reform for the State, with a 
focus on efficiency.