Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study the Reform of Taxes and Spending in Maine .
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0855
Committee: Taxation
Sponsors: BOWMAN

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124th MAl E LEGISLATURE 
. Legislative Document 
No. 855 
S.P.324 
In Senate, March 5,2009 
Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study the Reform of 
Taxes and Spending in Maine 
. 
(EMERGENCy) 
Reference to the Committee on Taxation suggested and ordered printed. { 
Presented by Senator BOWMAN of York. 
Printed on recycled paper 
9rf)(J~ 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
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 Study the Reform of Taxes and Spending in Maine is 
established in this resolve; 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 Study 
the Reform of Taxes and Spending' in Maine, referred to in this resolve as "the 
commission," is established; and be it fi,rrther 
. 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows: 
1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; . 
2. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; 
3. One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
4. One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the House Minority 
Leader; and 
5. 
Three members of the pu .... ·ic having e::nertise in taxation and budgeting, 
appointed by the Governor; and be it fuTther 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the fIrst Senate member named by the President 
of the Senate is the Senate chair of the commission and the fIrs~ House of Representatives 
member named by the Speaker of the House is the House chair of the commission; and be 
it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: 
That all 
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appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
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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, 
which must be no later than 60 days following the effective date of this resolve; and be it 
further 
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Sec. 5. 
Dut~es. Resolved: That the commission shall review the Brookings 
Institution report, "Charting Maine's Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable 
Prosperity and Quality Places;'; and design reforms to the taxation and spending structure 
in the State with a focus on efficiency for submission to the Second Regular Session of 
the 124th Legislature. The Legislature intends that the legislation submitted by the _ 
commission become law in substantially the same form as it is sl,lbmitted; and be it 
further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffmg services to the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 2,2009, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its fmdings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the S,econd Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this , 
legislation'takes effect when approved. 
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SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes a stUdy commission to review the Brookings Institution 
report, "Charting Maine's Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable Prosp~rity 
and Quality Places." The commission is to report with suggested legislation on tax and 
spending reform for the State, with a focus on efficiency.