Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Improve Certain Aspects of the Citizen Initiative Process
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0699
Committee: Legal and Veterans Affairs
Sponsors: CRAVEN, MARTIN, CANAVAN, DUNN, HAYES, MAKAS, PATRICK, WAGNER, WALCOTT, MARRACHE

Legislative Document 
No. 699 
H.P.530 
House of Representatives, February 12,2007 
Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Improve Certain Aspects 
of the Citizen Initiative Process 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative CRAVEN of Lewiston. 
Cosponsored by Senator MARTIN of Aroostook and 
'7J'l~ 1J1. 7l/~~ 
Mll..LICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: CANAVAN of Waterville, DUNN of Bangor, HAYES of Buckfield, 
MAKAS of Lewiston, PATRICK of Rumford, WAGNER of Lewiston, WALCOTT of 
Lewiston, Senator: MARRACHE of Kennebec. 
Printed on recyc led 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 Improve Certain Aspects of the Citizen Initiative 
. Process is established in this resolve to conduct a study and recommend legislation to the 
next legislative session; 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 Improve 
Certain Aspects of the Citizen Initiative Process, referred to in this resolve as "the 
commission," is establ ished; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows: 
1. Two Senators from the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government, 
appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. 
Three Representatives from the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local 
Government, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; 
3. One member of the general public, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
4. One member of the public who is an attorney, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; 
5. 
One member of the Department of the Secretary of State, appointed by the 
Secretary of State; and 
6. One member of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Elder 
Services, appointed by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services; 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 
Page I - 123LR0427(OI)-1 
I 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission; and 
be it further 
Sec. S. 
Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall gather information and 
request necessary data from public and private entities in order to improve the 
constitutional process by which a proposal may be enacted into law by the direct initiative 
of the people. The goal is to make information more comprehensible and accessible to 
citizens, including senior citizens, and to clarify how the information is presented on the 
ballot, with particular attention to the manner in which the questions appear on the ballot; 
and be it further 
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 January 15, 2008, the commission 
shall submit a repOJ1 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 to the Second 
Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature 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'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. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission To Improve Certain Aspects of the Citizen 
Initiative Process. 
.