Resolve, To Establish the Maine Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1091
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: ADAMS, CANAVAN

Legislative Document 
No.t09t 
H.P.809 
House of Representatives, March 6, 2007 
Resolve, To Establish the Maine Civil War Sesquicentennial 
Commission 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative ADAMS of Portland. 
Cosponsored by Representative: CANAVAN of Waterville. 
Printed on recycled paper 
7Jl~ 
frl.1lJu~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Sec. 1. Maine Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. Resolved: That 
the Maine Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, referred to in this resolve as "the 
commission," is established. The commission consists of 4 ex officio members: the 
Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 
the State Historic Preservation Officer; and 17 members appointed as follows: 
1. 
Four members who at the time of appointment are members of the Senate 
appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. Eight members who at the time of appointment are members of the House of 
Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and 
3. Five members of the public appointed by the Governor. 
The commission shall name 5 members to constitute an executive committee, which 
shall act as chair of the commission. A term on the commission expires December 31, 
2015, and vacancies must be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were 
made. The commission may appoint honorary members and shall establish an advisory 
council composed of people who are especially interested in the celebration of the 
sesquicentennial of the Civil War. The State Law Librarian shall serve as a member of 
the advisory council; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall develop and coordinate the 
commemoration of the I50th anniversary of the Civil War, referred to in this resolve as 
"the commemoration," through educational and historical events, activities and programs 
throughout the State. All agencies of the State and political subdivisions shall cooperate 
with the commission and may grant funds, property and services to the commission to 
carry out the purposes of this resolve. To carry out the purposes of this resolve the 
commission may: 
1. Upon consent of the Governor, purchase land, property or any structure necessary 
for the purposes of the commemoration. The title to property acquired pursuant to this 
subsection must be taken in the name of the State; 
2. Enter into contracts that have been approved by the Attorney General; 
3. 
Adopt an official flag, seal or other emblem for the commemoration and to 
copyright an official flag, seal or emblem in the name of the State and, with the approval 
ofthe Governor, lease or sell the title or right to use the official flag, seal or emblem upon 
terms determined by the commission. Any revenue from the lease or sale of the title or 
right to use an official flag, seal or emblem under this subsection must be credited to the 
fund established in section 8; and 
4. 
Accept donations of money, property or services and the cooperation of the 
Federal Government and state, civic, patriotic and historical groups and educational 
institutions. Any donations of money under this subsection must be credited to the fund 
established in section 8; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Proclamation. Resolved: That the Governor may and is requested to 
issue a proclamation inviting the people of the State and of the United States to 
participate in and observe the commemoration; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Staff. Resolved: That the commission may employ an executive director 
or staff if the commission determines an executive director or staff assistance is required; 
and be it further 
Sec. 5. Expenses. Resolved: That the executive committee established under 
section 1 shall draft a commission budget and may pay necessary expenses of the 
commission from proceeds of the fund established under section 8. The executive 
committee may request additional appropriations from the Legislature for necessary 
expenses of the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Compensation. Resolved: That a member of the commission may 
receive reimbursement for necessary expenses related to the performance of the 
member's duties on the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit an annual report to 
the Governor and the Legislature on its activities; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Maine Civil War Sesquicentennial Fund. Resolved: That the Maine 
Civil War Sesquicentennial Fund, referred to in this resolve as "the fund," is established. 
The fund is administered by the commission. Balances in the fund may not lapse and 
must be carried forward and used for the purposes of this resolve. The commission may 
accept and deposit in the fund money from appropriations, private and public sources. 
The Treasurer of State shall invest unexpended money in the fund and all proceeds of 
these investments accrue to the fund. The fund terminates on December 31, 2015 and any 
unexpended balance in the fund on December 3 1, 2015 must be transferred to the General 
Fund. 
SUMMARY 
This bill creates the Maine Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission to develop and 
coordinate the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.