An Act To Improve the Reporting Requirements of Boards and Commissions
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2298
Committee: State and Local Government pursuant to Joint Order, H
Amends: 5 MRSA §1200

Legislative Document 
No. 2298 
H.P.1657 
House of Representatives, April 4, 2008 
An Act To Improve the Reporting Requirements of Boards and 
Commissions 
Reported by Representative BARSTOW of Gorham for the Joint Standing Committee on 
State and Local Government pursuant to Joint Order, H.P. 1635. 
Printed Oil re<..:ydeu parer 
'7J1~ 1I1.1ll0£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §1200S-A, as amended by PL 1999, c. 668, §§45 and 46, is 
further amended to read: 
§12005-A. Report to Secretary of State 
Every board listed in this chapter is required to appoint a clerk of the board who is 
responsible for submitting reports to the Secretary of State as required by this chapter. 
This clerk shall submit an annual report to the Secretary of State on foHns in a manner 
provided by the Secretary of State. This report must be submitted no later than December 
st of each calendar year and must include information required by this section and any 
other information determined necessary by the Secretary of State to fulfill the purposes of 
this chapter. This information must include: 
1. Clerk of board. The name, address ana~ telephone number and e-mail address of 
the clerk of the board as well as an estimate of the number of hours spent annually 
working for the board; 
2. Names and addresses of members. The names and current addresses name of 
each member of the board on file with the Secretary of State and the current address of 
each member at the time of filing under this section; 
3. Date of appointment and expiration. The date of appointment of each member 
and the date of expiration of the term of each member on file with the Secretary of State; 
4. Dates and locations of all meetings. The dates and locations of all meetings or 
other activities of the board as specified in section 12002-B, subsection 1 during the 
calendar year for which the report is prepared. 
A. 
In the event that a board reports no meetings for the calendar year of the report, 
the clerk shall indicate the last meeting of the board; 
5. Attendance at and length of meetings. The number of members attending each 
meeting or activity of the board and the length of each meeting or activity of the board; 
tJ. CaffifJeHsatiaH. The total per diem compensation, if any, received by the board 
for each meeting and the total received for the calendar year; 
6-A. Expenses related to the meetings or activities of the board. The following 
expenses related to the meetings or activities of the board: 
A. 
Total per diem compensation, if any, received by board members for each 
meeting or other activity of the board and the total received for the calendar year; 
B. 
Total expenses for which board members were reimbursed, if any, for each 
meeting or other activity of the board and the total reimbursed for the calendar year; 
C. Reimbursement other than per diem compensation or expenses such as a stipend; 
and 
D. Total expenses related to the functioning of the board, if any, for each meeting or 
other activity of the board and the total received for the calendar year, including hut 
not limited to: 
(1) Expenses related to facility rental costs; 
(2) Expenses related to refreshment costs for meetings or other activities; 
(3) Expenses related to holding public hearings; and 
(4) Other expenses not otherwise classified in this section. 
7. Expenses. The total expenses for which the board is reimbursed, if any, for each 
meeting and the total expenses for which all board members 'Nere reimbursed for the 
calendar year; and 
7-A. Funding source for expenses. The funding source or sources for all expenses 
paid for the functioning of the board, including reimbursement to members incurred by 
the board; 
8. Vacancies. The number of vacancies on the board on December 31 st and the term 
of the each vacanCY7; and 
9. Activities of the board related to its mission. A brief summary of the activities 
related to accomplishing the mission of the board. 
The Secretary of State may not waive the requirements of this section. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires expanded information in annual reports by boards and commissions 
to the Secretary of State. 
The report must include additional information related to 
reimbursement and expenses and information on other types of reimbursement such as 
stipends, facility rental costs, refreshment costs, public hearing costs and any other 
expenses. The clerk of each board or commission is required to estimate the number of 
hours devoted to the task of being the clerk. The report must contain a brief summary of 
the board's activities. The bill updates the statute to reflect that reports are now filed 
electronically rather than on paper forms. 
FISCAL ;";OT£ IU:'(lURED 
(See attached) 
Approved: 03/31108 ;:!;?ac:.. 
LD 
;);) 9 g 
LR 3616(01) 
An Act To Improve the Reporting Requirements of Boards and Commissions 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Original Bill 
Committee: State and Local Government 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Additional costs to the boards and commissions within or associated with the Department of Professional and 
Financial Regulation can be absorbed utilizing existing budgeted resources. Additional costs to the Secretary of State 
associated with this legislation can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR3616(01) - Fiscal Note - Page I of 1