Resolve, To Establish the Committee To Study the Feasibility of Creating Basic Income Security
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1324
Committee: Labor and Housing
Sponsors: VITELLI, McCREIGHT, BELLOWS, MIRAMANT, BEEBE-CENTER, BRENNAN, HEPLER, PERRY

Legislative Document
No. 1324
S.P. 412
In Senate, March 19, 2019
Resolve, To Establish the Committee To Study the Feasibility of 
Creating Basic Income Security
Reference to the Committee on Labor and Housing suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator VITELLI of Sagadahoc.
Cosponsored by Representative McCREIGHT of Harpswell and
Senators: BELLOWS of Kennebec, MIRAMANT of Knox, Representatives: BEEBE-
CENTER of Rockland, BRENNAN of Portland, HEPLER of Woolwich, PERRY of Calais.
Sec. 1.  Committee established.  Resolved:  That the Committee To Study the 
Feasibility of Creating Basic Income Security, referred to in this resolve as "the 
committee," is established.
Sec. 2.  Committee membership.  Resolved:  That the committee consists of 13 
members appointed as follows:
1.  Four members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
representative of each of the following joint standing committees:
A.  The Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing;
B.  The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services;
C.  The Joint Standing Committee on Taxation; and
D.  The Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic 
Advancement and Business;
2.  Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including a representative of each of the following joint standing committees:
A.  The Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing;
B.  The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services;
C.  The Joint Standing Committee on Taxation; and
D.  The Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic 
Advancement and Business;
3.  One member of the public who represents low-wage workers and recipients of 
public benefits, appointed by the President of the Senate;
4.  One member of the public who represents business and industry, appointed by the 
Speaker of the House;
5.  One member who represents the Governor's office of innovation and the future, 
appointed by the Governor;
6.  One member who represents higher education, appointed by the Governor; and
7.  One member who represents a trade union, appointed by the Governor.
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 
committee.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of committee.  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 committee.  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 committee to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the committee shall examine and make 
recommendations on the feasibility of providing basic economic security through a direct 
cash payment system and other programs that are designed to help individuals and 
families become more economically secure, including, but not limited to:
1.  Tax rebates and credits, including strengthening the earned income tax credit and 
a negative income tax;
2.  Universal basic income and unconditional cash transfers to residents of the State; 
and
3.  Other direct cash benefit programs.
The committee shall also investigate the effectiveness of existing safety net 
programs, such as tax credit, child care and food supplement programs, and compare 
those programs to any recommended direct cash payment programs.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the committee, except that Legislative Council staff support 
is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than 
February 1, 2020, the committee shall submit a report that includes its findings and 
recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular 
Session of the 129th Legislature.
Sec. 8.  Outside funding.  Resolved:  That the committee shall seek funding 
contributions to fully fund the costs of the study.  All funding is subject to approval by 
the Legislative Council in accordance with its policies.  If sufficient contributions to fund 
the study have not been received within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve, no 
meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Committee To Study the Feasibility of Creating Basic 
Income Security to examine options to better provide basic economic security to Maine 
people, including through the development of a direct cash payment system.