Resolve, To Create a Task Force on Maine's Ethics and Transparency Laws
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1222
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: CAIN, CAREY, GOODALL, KATZ

Legislative Document 
No. 1222 
S.P. 420 
In Senate, March 26, 2013 
Resolve, To Create a Task Force on Maine's Ethics and 
Transparency Laws 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed. 
DAREK M. GRANT 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator CAIN of Penobscot. 
Cosponsored by Representative CAREY of Lewiston and 
Senators: GOODALL of Sagadahoc, KATZ of Kennebec. 
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 Maine's Governmental 
Ethics and Transparency Laws; 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 
Maine's Governmental Ethics and Transparency Laws, 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.  Six 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, 
of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government, 2 of 
whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs and 2 of 
whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary; and 
2.  Seven 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, 2 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local 
Government, 2 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal 
Affairs and 3 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. 
The task force shall seek input and information from the Executive Director of the 
Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, the chair of the Right To 
Know Advisory Committee and the Attorney General; 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 review the State's laws 
concerning governmental ethics and transparency, including but not limited to laws 
governing financial disclosure for the legislative and executive branches, conflicts of 
interest, lobbyist disclosure and public records access, and shall recommend any changes 
it determines appropriate.  In conducting its review, the task force shall examine the laws 
in effect in other states, information and recommendations provided by public policy 
organizations and information provided by the public; 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, to the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs.  After receipt 
and review of the report, the joint standing committee may submit a bill implementing the 
recommendations 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 Maine's Governmental Ethics and 
Transparency Laws.