Resolve, To Establish a Task Force on Franco-Americans
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0656
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: FREDETTE, BECK, DAVIS, MALONEY, MARTIN, RIOUX, WINTLE, KATZ, THIBODEAU

Legislative Document 
No. 656 
H.P. 486 
House of Representatives, February 17, 2011 
Resolve, To Establish a Task Force on Franco-Americans 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FREDETTE of Newport. 
Cosponsored by Representatives: BECK of Waterville, DAVIS of Sangerville, MALONEY of 
Augusta, MARTIN of Eagle Lake, RIOUX of Winterport, WINTLE of Garland, Senators: 
KATZ of Kennebec, THIBODEAU of Waldo. 
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, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the task force consists of 15 members appointed as follows: 
1. Four members of the public appointed by the Governor; 
2.  Five members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows: 
A. One Senator; and 
B. Four members of the public; and 
3. Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows: 
A. Two members of the House of Representatives; and 
B. Four 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 shall determine a definition for who 
is a Franco-American and 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 
population that is Franco-American, if they speak French, their educational achievement, 
their annual income and where they live; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 7, 2011, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature. The 
Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs is authorized to introduce a 
bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session upon receipt 
of the report. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes a task force to study Franco-Americans in the State. The task 
force is directed to determine a definition of who is a Franco-American and gather basic 
data about Franco-Americans, including how many reside in the State, the percentage of 
the State’s population that is Franco-American, if they speak French, their educational 
achievement, their annual income and where they live.  It directs the task force to report 
its findings and suggested legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and 
Cultural Affairs, which is authorized to report out a bill.