Resolve, To Amend the Resolve Establishing the Task Force on Franco-Americans
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1601
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: FREDETTE, MARTIN

Legislative Document 
No. 1601 
H.P. 1209 
House of Representatives, December 16, 2011 
Resolve, To Amend the Resolve Establishing the Task Force on 
Franco-Americans 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Received by the Clerk of the House on December 14, 2011.  Referred to the Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to 
Joint Rule 401. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FREDETTE of Newport. 
Cosponsored by Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake. 
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 was established by Resolve 2011, 
chapter 102 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 convened and 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.  Resolve 2011, c. 102, §4, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 
102, §4 is amended to read: 
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 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.  The chairs 
may call and convene the first meeting of the task force during the Second Regular 
Session or any subsequent special session of the 125th Legislature.  If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve adjournment of the Second Regular Session or any 
subsequent special session of the 125th Legislature 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 
; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Resolve 2011, c. 102, §6, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 
102, §6 is amended to read: 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance. Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force, except that 
the Legislative Council staff support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular 
or special session.  The Franco-American Center at the University of Maine shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the task force when the Legislature is in regular or special 
session; and be it further 
; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Resolve 2011, c. 102, §7, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 
102, §7 is amended to read: 
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 notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, 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 December 15, 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 
; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Resolve 2011, c. 102, §8, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 
102, §8 is amended to read: 
Sec. 8.  Meetings; outside funding.  Resolved:  That the task force is authorized 
to hold 4 meetings.  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 
; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Retroactivity.  Resolved:  That this resolve applies retroactively to July 
6, 2011. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve, which is an emergency, amends Resolve 2011, chapter 102, which 
established the Task Force on Franco-Americans.  The resolve extends the time during 
which appointments may be made for the task force and authorizes the task force to hold 
meetings.  The resolve also provides that the task force chairs may call and convene the 
first meeting of the task force during the Second Regular Session or any subsequent 
special session of the 125th Legislature.  It also directs the Franco-American Center at the 
University of Maine to provide necessary staffing services to the task force when the 
Legislature is in regular or special session.  The resolve also adds a retroactivity clause.