Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0587

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH MAINE LEGISLATURE 
17th Legislative Day 
Thursday, March 5, 2009 
Calling of the House to Order by the Speaker. 
Prayer by Pastor John Durgin, Penobscot Bay Ministries, Thomaston. 
National Anthem by January Kapuscinski, Warren. 
Pledge of Allegiance. 
Doctor of the day, David Simmons, M.D., Calais. 
Reading of the Journal of Tuesday, March 3, 2009. 
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HOUSE ADVANCE JOUR.t'l"AL AND CALENDAR - Thursday, March 5, 2009 
ORDERS 
( 4-1) On motion of Representative TUTTLE of Sanford, the following Joint Order: 
(H.P. 587) 
ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Landlord 
and Tenant Issues is established as follows. 
1. Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Landlord and Tenant Issues established. The 
Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Landlord and Tenant Issues, referred to in this order as "the 
commission," is established. 
2. Membership. The commission consists of 13 members, appointed as follows: 
A. Six members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows: 
(1) Three members of the Senate; 
(2) One member from an organization that provides free legal services to low-
income persons in the State; 
(3) One member from an organization representing landlords; and 
( 4) One member from an organization representing housin·g managers; 
B. Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as 
follows: 
(1) Four members of the House of Representatives; 
(2) One member representing the Maine State Housing Authority; and 
(3) One member representing the District Court system; and 
C. The Attorney General. 
3. Commission chairs. The first-named Senator is the Senate chair of the commission 
and the first-named member of the House is the House chair of the commission. 
4. Appointments; convening of commission. All appointments must be made no later 
than 30 days following passage of this order. The appointing authorities shall notify the 
Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. When the 
appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the commission shall call and 
convene the first meeting of the commission. 
HOUSE ADVANCE JOURNAL AND CALENDAR - Thursday, March 5, 2009 
5. Duties. The commission shall: 
A. Study the feasibility of obtaining heating fuel assistance and insulation assistance 
for landlords who serve low-income tenants in certain economically distressed areas; 
B. Study how to keep units in proper repair; 
C. Study how to keep tenants in their apartments in the event of a foreclosure; and 
D. Study any other issues pertaining to landlord and tenant issues that it determines 
to be relevant. 
6. Staff assistance. The Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to 
the commission. 
7. Report. No later than December 2, 2009, the commission shall submit a report that 
includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Second 
Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. Pursuant to Joint Rule 353, the commission is not 
authorized to introduce legislation. Upon receipt of the report required by this section, the Joint 
Standing Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs may, pursuant to Joint Rule 353, introduce a 
bill during the session to which the report is submitted to implement its recommendations on 
matters relating to the study. 
(4-2) On motion of Representative WHEELER of Kittery, the following House Order: 
(H.O. 16) 
ORDERED, that Representative Richard C. Cleary of Houlton be excused February 24 
for personal reasons. 
AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that Representative Veronica Magnan of Stockton 
Springs be excused February 19 for health reasons. 
AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that Representative Wayne T. Mitchell of the 
Penobscot Nation be excused March 3 for personal reasons. 
AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that Representative Wesley E. Richardson of 
Warren be excused February 19 for personal reasons. 
AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that Representative Douglas A. Thomas of Ripley 
be excused February 24 and 26 for health reasons. 
AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that Representative Linda M. Valentino of Saco be 
excused February 19 and 26 for personal reasons.