Resolve, To Establish a Task Force on Franco-Americans
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0656
Committee Amendment CA_A_H88 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 486, LD. 656, "Resolve, To Establish 
a Task Force on Franco-Americans" 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and before the summary 
and inserting the following: 
'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 Task Force on Franco-Americans is established to find ways to 
promote and preserve the Franco-American heritage that is shared by a great number of 
Maine citizens; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report prepared 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. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force on Franco-
AmerIcans, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 13 
members appointed as follows: 
1. Four members of the public appointed by the Governor; 
2. Four members appointed by the President oftheSenate as follows: 
A. One Senator; and 
B. Three members of the public; and 
3. Five members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~ .• \. 
COMMITIEE AMENDMENT ,A" to H.P. 486, L.D. 656 
A. Two members of the House of Representatives; and 
B. Three members of the public; 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 task 
force; and be it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of task force. 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 task force. 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 task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force, upon determining a definition for 
who is a Franco-American, shall gather basic data about Franco-Americans, including, 
but not limited to, how many Franco-Americans reside in the State, the percentage of the 
State's popubtion that is Franco-American, if they speak French, their educational 
achievement, their annual income and where they live, and shall find ways to promote 
and preserve the Franco-American heritage that is shared by a great number of Maine 
citizens. The Franco-American Center at the University of Maine shall work in 
conjunction with the task force in fulfilling the duties of the task force. The task force 
may also work with individuals or nonprofit or charitable organizations toward the 
completion of its duties and responsibilities; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it 
further 
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 7, 2011, the task force 
shall provide a preliminary report with draft recommendations to the Second Regular 
Session of the 
125th Legislature. 
The final 
report, 
including findings 
and 
recommendations, must be submitted to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs by November 7, 2012. That joint 
standing committee is authorized to introduce a bill to the First Regular Session of the 
126th Legislature related to the subject matter of the report; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Outside funding. Resolved: That the task force shall seek funding 
contributions to fully fund the costs of the study. All funding is subject to approval by 
the Legislative Council in accordance with its policies. If sufficient contributions to fund 
the study have not been received within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve, no 
meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed; and 
be it further 
Sec. 9. 
Appropriations and allocations. 
Resolved: 
That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
LEGISLATURE 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~."~' 
2] 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,4 "to H.P. 486, L.D. 656 
Study Commissions - Funding 0444 
Initiative: Provides allocations to authorize expenditures for the Task Force on Franco-
Americans in the event that funding for the task force is received by the Legislature from 
outside sources. 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
Personal Services 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
2011-12 
$660 
$3,485 
$4,]45 
2012-13 
$660 
$3,485 
$4,145 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment reduces the membership of the task force in the resolve from 15 
members to 13 members; requires that the task force work with the Franco-American 
Center at the University of Maine, while allowing the task force to work with individuals 
or nonprofit or charitable organizations; changes the reporting requirements to include a 
preliminary report date of December 7, 2011 and a final report date of November 7,2012; 
and authorizes the Legislative Council to oversee contributions from private sources on 
behalf of the task force. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/04111 
.Mac.. 
LD656 
LR 563(02) 
Resolve, To Establish a Task Force on Franco-Americans 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 4" 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Projections 
Appropriations! Allocations 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Legislative Cost!Study 
FY 2011-12 
$4,145 
FY 2012-13' 
FY 2013-14 
$4,145 
$0 
Projections 
FY 2014-15 
The general operating expenses of this task force are projected to be $4,145 annually in fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-
13. This resolve requires that sufficient funding for the costs of the study, $8,290, must be received within 30 days of 
the effective date for any meetings to be authorized. Other Special Revenue Funds allocations of$4,145 each year in 
fiscal year 2011-12 and 2012-13 are provided in the event that sufficient funds are received from outside sources. 
LR0563(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1