An Act To Require the State To Enforce Spousal Support Obligations in the Same Manner as Child Support Obligations
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0375
Committee Amendment CA_A_S294 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'A: " to S.P. 155, L.D. 375, Bill, "An Act To 
Require the State To Enforce Spousal Support Obligations in the Same Manner as Child 
Support Obligations" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Establish the Study Committee on Alternative Methods of Enforcement 
of Spousal Support' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Emergency preamble. VV"hereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days af1ter adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the Study Committee on Alternative Methods of Enforcement of Spousal 
Support will review methods of spousal support enforcement in other states; 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. Study committee established. Resolved: That, not withstanding Joint 
Rule 353, the Study Committee on Alternative Methods of Enforcement of Spousal 
Support, referred to in this resolve as "the study committee," is established; and be it 
further 
Sec. 2. Study committee membership. Resolved: That the study committee 
consists of 5 members appointed as follows: 
Page I - 126LR0709(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'A" to S.P. ISS, L.D. 375 
1. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
and 
2. Three 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; 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 
study committee; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of study committee. 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 study committee. 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 study committee to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the study committee shall review information 
about other states' approaches to the enforcement of spousal support and determine 
whether any of those methods of enforcement should be implemented in this State; and be 
it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the study committee; and be it further 
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than November 6, 2013, the study 
committee 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 may introduce a bill on the subject matter of the report to the 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve that establishes the Study Committee 
on Alternative Methods of Enforcement of Spousal Support to examine how other states 
provide for enforcement of spousal support. 
The study committee consists of 5 
Legislators, and must report by November 6, 2013 to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Judiciary on spousal support enforcement methods used in other states and whether any 
of these methods should be implemented in this State. 
This amendment adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause to the bill. 
FISCAL ;";01£ REQ"CIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 06/11/l3 haC!. 
LD375 
LR 709(02) 
An Act To Require the State To Enforce Spousal Support Obligations in the Same Manner as Child 
Support Obligations 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'J..,."(6-2q4) 
Committee: Judiciary 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
The general operating expenses of this study committee are projected to be $3,000 in fiscal year 2013-14. The 
Legislature's proposed budget includes $10,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $10,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 for 
legislative studies. Whether the amounts are sufficient to fund all studies will depend on the number of studies 
authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. The additional costs of providing staffmg assistance to the 
study committee can be absorbed by the Legislature utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR0709(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1