Resolve, To Establish the Commission on Retirement Policy Funding and Reform
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1177
Committee: Labor
Sponsors: WOODBURY, MILLS, DRISCOLL, FISCHER, JOY, MILLETT, SAVIELLO, TARDY, TUTTLE, DOW

Legislative Document 
No. 1177 
H.P.858 
House of Representatives, March 7, 2007 
Resolve, To Establish the Commission on Retirement Policy 
Funding and Reform 
Reference to the Committee on Labor suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative WOODBURY of Yarmouth. 
Cosponsored by Senator MILLS of Somerset and 
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MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: DRISCOLL of Westbrook, FISCHER of Presque Isle, JOY of Crystal, 
MILLETT of Waterford, SAVIELLO of Wilton, TARDY of Newport, TUTTLE of Sanford, 
Senator: DOW of Lincoln. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Sec. 1. 
Commission established. 
Resolved: 
That the Commission on 
Retirement Policy Funding and Reform, 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. Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
3. 
A representative from the Maine State Retirement System, appointed by the 
President ofthe Senate; 
4. A representative from the Maine State Employees Association, appointed by the 
President of the Senate; 
5. A representative from the teaching community, appointed by the President of the 
Senate; 
6. A representative from the business community, appointed by the President of the 
Senate; 
7. A representative from an elder issues group, appointed by the President of the 
Senate; and 
8. A person with expertise in employee benefit program design, appointed by the 
President of the Senate; 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 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall review and recommend 
reforms to the Maine State Retirement System that make the system more consistent with 
the labor market of 2010 and beyond. In conducting its review, the commission shall 
specifically study: 
1. The substantial increases in life expectancy; 
2. The increased size of the retiree population; 
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3. The dramatic changes in retirement po licy occurring in the private sector; 
4. 
The need to retain older workers longer, as the labor market is increasingly 
composed of older workers; 
5. The large, unfunded liability for benefits; 
6. The growing unfunded liability for retiree medical care; and 
7. The discontinuities in the current system; 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 
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 report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor. 
The Joint 
Standing Committee on Labor 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 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 creates the Commission on Retirement Policy Funding and Reform to 
review and recommend reforms to the Maine State Retirement System that make the 
system more consistent with the labor market of 20 1 0 and beyond.