Resolve, To Provide Adequate Funding for Emergency Homeless Shelters
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1371
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: DUNN, PERRY, FAIRCLOTH, FISHER, BRANNIGAN

Legislative Document 
No. 1371 
H.P.963 
House of Representatives, March 13,2007 
Resolve, To Provide Adequate Funding for Emergency Homeless 
Shelters 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative DUNN of Bangor. 
Cosponsored by Senator PERRY of Penobscot and 
1r/~/J7.7Jl~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: FAIRCLOTH of Bangor, FISHER of Brewer, Senator: BRANNIGAN of 
Cumberland. 
Printed on rel:ycled 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, this resolve creates the Commission To Study the Funding Issues 
Regarding Emergency Homeless Shelters; 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 consideration during to the 
next legislative session; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency with in 
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 Funding Issues Regarding Emergency Homeless Shelters, 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. Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. One member who represents the Governor's office, appointed by the President of 
the Senate; 
3. One member from the Department of Health and Human Services, appointed by 
the President of the Senate; 
4. One member from the Maine State Housing Authority, appointed by the President 
of the Senate; 
5. Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; and 
6. 
Three members from the Statewide Homeless Council, one from each of 3 
regional homeless councils, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 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 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission; and 
be it further 
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Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: 
That the commission shall examine the following 
issues concerning homeless shelters: 
1. Affordable housing for the homeless; 
2. Causes of homeless ness; 
3. How the money designated for homeless shelters is used and whether the formula 
for distributing funds to homeless shelters should be amended; and 
4. Solutions to homelessness; 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 
II 
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 
IS 
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 I, 2007 the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Heath and Human 
Services and the Legislative Council. The commission is not authorized to introduce 
legislation. Following receipt and review of the report, the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd 
Legislature; 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; and be it further 
Sec. 11. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: 
That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY 
Shelter Operating Subsidy 
Initiative: Provides one-time funding for emergency homeless shelters. 
GENERAL FUND 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
2007-08 
$1,000,000 
$1,000,000 
2008-09 
$0 
$0 
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve provides funding for emergency homeless shelters. 
The resolve 
establishes the Commission To Study the Funding Issues Regarding Emergency 
Homeless Shelters. 
The commission shall submit a report to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services and to the Legislative Council by December I, 
2007. The commission shall examine the issues concerning affordable housing for the 
homeless, the causes of and solutions for homelessness, how the money designated for 
homeless shelters is used and whether the funding formula for distributing funds to the 
homeless shelters should be amended.