Resolve, To Require an Independent Analysis of the Department of Transportation's I-395/Route 9 Connector Project
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0783
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: ROSEN, CARPENTER, DOW, FARRIN, STANLEY, VEROW

Legislative Document
No. 783
S.P. 227
In Senate, February 12, 2019
Resolve, To Require an Independent Analysis of the Department of 
Transportation's I-395/Route 9 Connector Project
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator ROSEN of Hancock.
Cosponsored by Senators: CARPENTER of Aroostook, DOW of Lincoln, FARRIN of 
Somerset, Representatives: STANLEY of Medway, VEROW of Brewer.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, it is necessary that this resolve take effect immediately to provide timely 
analysis of the Department of Transportation's I-395/Route 9 Connector Project; 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.  Project suspended.  Resolved:  That, unless otherwise authorized by the 
Legislature, the Department of Transportation's I-395/Route 9 Connector Project may not 
continue until 90 days after the adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 129th 
Legislature.
Sec. 2.  Independent analysis required.  Resolved:  That the Legislature, 
through the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation, shall select and contract with a 
nongovernmental entity to perform an independent analysis of the Department of 
Transportation's I-395/Route 9 Connector Project.
The entity selected by the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation must 
determine the public interest costs and benefits of the project, evaluate the cost and 
benefit assumptions that currently underlie the project and assess the concerns of local 
communities directly affected by the project. The entity shall provide a final report, 
including a recommendation to continue or terminate the project, to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Transportation no later than April 19, 2019.
The entity selected by the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation may not have 
a direct commercial interest in the project.
Sec. 3.  Joint standing committee authorized to report out legislation.  
Resolved:  That the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation may report out a bill, 
based on the analysis and recommendations contained in the report submitted pursuant to 
section 2, to the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature authorizing the 
Department of Transportation's I-395/Route 9 Connector Project to continue.
Sec. 4.  Appropriations and allocations.  Resolved:  That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made.
LEGISLATURE
Legislature  0081
Initiative:  Appropriates funds on a one-time basis to the Legislature to enter into a 
contract with a nongovernmental entity to perform an independent analysis of the 
Department of Transportation's I-395/Route 9 Connector Project. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Legislature, through the Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation, to contract with a nongovernmental entity to perform an independent 
analysis of the Department of Transportation's I-395/Route 9 Connector Project and 
appropriates $25,000 from the General Fund to fund the contract. The nongovernmental 
entity may not have a direct commercial interest in the I-395/Route 9 Connector Project 
and must provide a report of its analysis to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation no later than April 19, 2019.  This resolve also suspends the project until 
the independent analysis is complete and provides the Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation with the authority to make a determination about whether the project may 
continue.
GENERAL FUND
2018-19
All Other
$25,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$25,000