Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1956
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Sponsors: FECTEAU, JACKSON, BERRY, CROCKETT, DOUDERA, FARNSWORTH, JORGENSEN, MORALES, STOVER, LIBBY

Legislative Document
No. 1956
H.P. 1400
House of Representatives, January 8, 2020
Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing 
Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use 
Restrictions
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative FECTEAU of Biddeford.
Cosponsored by President JACKSON of Aroostook and
Representatives: BERRY of Bowdoinham, CROCKETT of Portland, DOUDERA of Camden, 
FARNSWORTH of Portland, JORGENSEN of Portland, MORALES of South Portland, 
STOVER of Boothbay, Senator: LIBBY of Androscoggin.
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 Commission To Increase Housing 
Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions; 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.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission To Increase 
Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions, referred 
to in this resolve as "the commission," is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 10 members appointed as follows:
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
2.  Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature;
3.  The Director of the Maine State Housing Authority, or the director's designee;
4.  One member representing the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor;
5.  Two public members, one representing a statewide municipal association and one 
representing a statewide organization that advocates for affordable housing, appointed by 
the President of the Senate; and
6.  Two public members, one representing a regional planning association and one 
representing the real estate industry, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
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 
commission.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of commission.  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 commission.  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 commission to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission is authorized to meet 6 times and 
shall:
1.  Review data on housing shortages in the State for low-income and middle-income 
households;
2.  Review state laws that affect the local regulation of housing;
3.  Review efforts in other states and municipalities to address housing shortages 
through changes to zoning and land use restrictions; and
4.  Consider measures that would encourage increased housing options in the State, 
including but not limited to municipal incentives, state mandates, eliminating or limiting 
single-family-only zones and allowing greater housing density near transit, jobs, schools 
or neighborhood centers.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission, except that Legislative Council staff 
support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than November 4, 2020, the 
commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, for presentation to the First Regular Session of the 130th 
Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in 
Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions, which is a 10-member 
commission directed to review data on housing shortages in the State for low-income and 
middle-income households, state laws that affect the local regulation of housing and 
efforts in other states and municipalities to address housing shortages and to consider 
measures that would encourage increased housing options in the State.  The commission 
must, no later than November 4, 2020, submit a report, including suggested legislation, 
for presentation to the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature.