An Act To Improve the Workplace for State Employees
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1220
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: WILLETTE, JACKSON, CLARK, EDGECOMB, GIFFORD, GOODE

Legislative Document 
No. 1220 
H.P. 911 
House of Representatives, March 22, 2011 
An Act To Improve the Workplace for State Employees 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative WILLETTE of Presque Isle. 
Cosponsored by Senator JACKSON of Aroostook and 
Representatives: CLARK of Easton, EDGECOMB of Caribou, GIFFORD of Lincoln, GOODE 
of Bangor, WILLETTE of Mapleton. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, Public Law 2003, chapter 20, Part U directs all state agencies to 
implement measures to reduce energy consumption; and 
Whereas, implementation of Public Law 2003, chapter 20, Part U has caused some 
difficult working conditions; and 
Whereas, immediate enactment of this legislation is necessary to ensure that the 
working conditions are made better for employees; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. U, §1 is amended to read: 
Sec. U-1.  Energy savings required.  All state agencies are directed to implement 
measures to reduce energy consumption within their agencies.  Conservation measures to 
be initiated must include regulating temperatures within offices to 68 degrees during the 
heating season and 75 degrees during the cooling season and allowing the manager or 
supervisor to regulate the thermostat to ensure that the entire work area of the office 
reaches the required temperature, use of lower wattage lighting or fewer lights wherever 
possible without affecting basic operation or safety and shutting off computers and other 
electronic equipment when not in use.  Ceramic space heaters may be used to bring the 
temperature in a workstation to the required temperature.  Vehicle use must be reduced to 
the minimum amount necessary to carry out the agency mission. Each agency shall train 
its staff to make necessary changes to meet this mandate and to identify other 
opportunities for energy savings within the workplace. The Department of Administrative 
and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services shall provide agencies with additional 
actions that can be taken to reduce energy usage. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill amends Public Law 2003, chapter 20, Part U, which directs all state agencies 
to implement measures to reduce energy consumption, to allow a manager or supervisor 
to regulate the thermostat to ensure that an entire work area reaches the required 
temperature and to allow the use of ceramic space heaters.