Resolve, To Create a Study Commission To Review and Report on the Possibility of Making All Public School Teachers in Maine Employees of the State
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0834
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: HOTHAM, MILLS, McCORMICK, PERRY

Legislative Document 
No. 834 
H.P.633 
House of Representatives, February 23,2007 
Resolve, To Create a Study Commission To Review and Report on 
the Possibility of Making All Public School Teachers in Maine 
Employees of the State 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representative HOTHAM of Dixfield. 
Cosponsored by Senator MILLS of Somerset and 
'7r/~ /h·711dC~ 
MllLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representati ve: TARDY of Newport, Senators: McCORMICK of Kennebec, PERRY of 
Penobscot. 
Printed on n:cyded paper 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission to Review 
and Report on the Possibility of Making All Public School Teachers in Maine Employees 
of the State, 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 as follows: 
1. Two members of the party holding the highest number of seats in the Senate, 
appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. Two members of the party holding the 2nd highest number of seats in the Senate, 
appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; 
3. Two members of the party holding the highest number of seats in the House of 
Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
4. Two members of the party holding the 2nd highest number of seats in the House of 
Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; 
5. Two educators, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by 
the Speaker of the House; 
6. One school administrator, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
7. One school board member, appointed the Speaker of the House; and 
8. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee as a nonvoting 
member. 
Appointments must be made to represent all geographic areas of the State as much as 
possible; 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 shaIl 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 30 days after the appointment of all members is complete; 
and be it further 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. Resolved: 
That the commission shall examine the issues 
surrounding making public school teachers in the State state workers, including, but not 
limited to the following: 
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I. Creating parity in health care and retirement benefits between teachers in the State 
and state workers; 
2. Exploring the possibility of the State paying the salaries and benefits of teachers in 
the State and identifying a source of dedicated funding for this purpose; 
3. 
Creating parity in pay between teachers in the State and state workers with 
consideration given to the cost-of-living difference; 
4. Addressing the shortage of teachers in some geographic areas of the State for 
some disciplines; and 
5. 
Exploring the property tax saVIngs resulting from teachers becoming state 
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workers; and be it further 
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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, 2009, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature have 
jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs. 
The joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs may introduce 
legislation in the First Regular Session of the 124th Legislature to implement the 
recommendations of the commission; 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's 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. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission to Review and Report on the Possibility of 
Making All Public School Teachers in Maine Employees of the State. 
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