Resolve, To Create the Task Force on Disaster Resiliency
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0549
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: RYKERSON, DUTREMBLE, BEAR, CAMPBELL, FOLEY, HAWKE, HIGGINS, MAREAN, TUELL

Legislative Document 
No. 549 
H.P. 373 
House of Representatives, February 26, 2015 
Resolve, To Create the Task Force on Disaster Resiliency 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative RYKERSON of Kittery. 
Cosponsored by Senator DUTREMBLE of York and 
Representatives: BEAR of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, CAMPBELL of Newfield, 
CAMPBELL of Orrington, FOLEY of Wells, HAWKE of Boothbay Harbor, HIGGINS of 
Dover-Foxcroft, MAREAN of Hollis, TUELL of East Machias. 
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 on Disaster Resiliency to 
investigate and strengthen the State's disaster response to extreme weather and sea level 
rise events; 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, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the Task Force on Disaster Resiliency, 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 14 
members appointed as follows: 
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; 
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; 
3.  Three members with expertise in disaster response appointed by the President of 
the Senate; 
4.  Three members with expertise in extreme weather and sea level rise events 
appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
5.  One member representing the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency 
Management, Maine Emergency Management Agency; 
6.  The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the commissioner's designee; 
and 
7.  The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the 
commissioner'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: 
1.  Catalog resources in the State available to respond to extreme weather and sea 
level rise events; 
2.  Determine and evaluate community preparedness for extreme weather and sea 
level rise events throughout the State; 
3.  Produce recommendations to strengthen the State's resilience regarding extreme 
weather and sea level rise events; and 
4.  Determine the cost-effectiveness of the recommendations under subsection 3; 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 2, 2015, 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 127th 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 on Disaster Resiliency to investigate and 
strengthen the State's disaster response to extreme weather and sea level rise events.