Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Study Priorities and Timing of Judicial Proceedings in State Courts
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0951
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: HASTINGS, NASS, BLISS, HILL, HOBBINS

Legislative Document 
No. 951 
S.P. 297 
In Senate, March 8, 2011 
Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Study Priorities and 
Timing of Judicial Proceedings in State Courts 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed. 
JOSEPH G. CARLETON, JR. 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator HASTINGS of Oxford. 
Cosponsored by Representative NASS of Acton and 
Senators: BLISS of Cumberland, HILL of York, HOBBINS of York. 
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this legislation establishes the Commission To Study Priorities and 
Timing of Judicial Proceedings in State Courts; 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 To Study Priorities and Timing of Judicial 
Proceedings in State Courts established.  Resolved:  That the Commission To 
Study Priorities and Timing of Judicial Proceedings in State Courts, 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.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
2.  Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature; 
3.  Two members appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court; 
4.  One member appointed by the Attorney General; 
5.  One representative of the Maine State Bar Association nominated by the Maine 
State Bar Association; 
6.  One representative of the Maine Prosecutors Association nominated by the Maine 
Prosecutors Association; 
7.  One representative of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association nominated by the 
Maine Trial Lawyers Association; and 
8.  One representative of Pine Tree Legal Assistance nominated by Pine Tree Legal 
Assistance; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair 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.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission.  If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority 
for the commission to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall study the priority and 
timing of judicial proceedings in state courts including, but not limited to, judicial 
proceedings that require priority treatment pursuant to statute; 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.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 7, 2011, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. The Joint Standing Committee 
on Judiciary is authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject matter of the report to 
the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission To Study Priorities and Timing of Judicial 
Proceedings in State Courts.  The commission is directed to study the priority and timing 
of judicial proceedings in state courts, including, but not limited to, judicial proceedings 
that require priority treatment pursuant to statute.  No later than December 7, 2011, the 
commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary.  The Joint 
Standing Committee on Judiciary is authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject 
matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.