Resolve, To Create a Study Group To Research the Possibility of a Virtual Legislature
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0855
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: CASAVANT, DUTREMBLE, CHENETTE, CHIPMAN, KRUGER, NUTTING, PEOPLES, ROCHELO

Legislative Document 
No. 855 
H.P. 606 
House of Representatives, March 5, 2013 
Resolve, To Create a Study Group To Research the Possibility of a 
Virtual Legislature 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative CASAVANT of Biddeford. 
Cosponsored by Senator DUTREMBLE of York and 
Representatives: CHENETTE of Saco, CHIPMAN of Portland, DeCHANT of Bath, KRUGER 
of Thomaston, NUTTING of Oakland, PEOPLES of Westbrook, ROCHELO of Biddeford. 
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 resolve establishes the Task Force To Study Issues Associated with 
Implementation of a Virtual Legislature; 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.  Task force established.  Resolved:  That the Task Force To Study Issues 
Associated with Implementation of a Virtual Legislature, 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.  Three 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; 
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 of the public with technical expertise in the field of networked 
telecommunications, such as teleconferencing, videoconferencing and web conferencing, 
used in practical applications such as telemedicine or distance learning, one of whom is 
appointed by the President of the Senate and one of whom is appointed by the Speaker of 
the House; 
4.  Two members of the public appointed by the Governor; 
5.  The chair of the Right to Know Advisory Committee, or the chair's designee; and 
6.  The Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee; 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 study issues associated with 
implementation of a virtual Legislature, including but not limited to: 
1.  Technical procedures to ensure the identity of participating legislative members; 
2.  Legal ramifications associated with virtual legal presence rather than physical 
legal presence; 
3.  Existing laws governing freedom of access; and 
4.  Methods of ensuring security of the legislative process and the virtual 
Legislature's website. 
In reviewing the issues, the task force shall specifically examine the methods by 
which other states, including but not limited to Alaska, successfully integrate a virtual 
aspect into their legislative activities, and shall consider using another state's successful 
model as a template; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That 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 4, 2013, 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 126th Legislature. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Task Force To Study Issues Associated with 
Implementation of a Virtual Legislature.