Resolve, To Study Best Practices and Different Area Needs for Development of Affordable Homes and Expanding Home Ownership in Maine Communities
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1246
Committee: Labor and Housing
Sponsors: GERE, ARFORD, BAILEY, CLOUTIER, GEIGER, MORALES, OSHER, SACHS, SYLVESTER

Legislative Document
No. 1246
H.P. 912
House of Representatives, March 25, 2021
Resolve, To Study Best Practices and Different Area Needs for 
Development of Affordable Homes and Expanding Home 
Ownership in Maine Communities
Received by the Clerk of the House on March 23, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Labor and Housing pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 
401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GERE of Kennebunkport.
Cosponsored by Representatives: ARFORD of Brunswick, BAILEY of Gorham, CLOUTIER 
of Lewiston, GEIGER of Rockland, MORALES of South Portland, OSHER of Orono, SACHS 
of Freeport, SYLVESTER of Portland.
Sec. 1.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission to Study Best 
Practices and Different Area Needs for Development of Affordable Homes and Expanding 
Home Ownership in Maine Communities, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," 
is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 13 members appointed as follows:
1.  Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;
2.  Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives;
3.  One representative from the Department of Health and Human Services, appointed 
by the Governor;
4.  One representative of a statewide organization focused on providing safe housing 
for people in the State and on promoting the development of affordable housing, appointed 
by the Governor;
5.  One representative of a statewide organization that provides assistance to and 
advocacy for first-time home buyers, appointed by the Governor;
6.  One representative of a statewide organization that provides assistance to and 
advocacy for veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States seeking to become first-
time home buyers, appointed by the Governor;
7.  One representative of a statewide organization of developers focused on building 
affordable housing, appointed by the Governor;
8.  One representative of a statewide organization focused on making financing for 
first-time home ownership available to people in the State, appointed by the Governor; and
9.  Two individuals with expertise in working to create affordable home ownership in 
their regions and with an understanding of the challenges facing prospective home buyers, 
including home buyers from communities of color, indigenous communities and immigrant 
communities, appointed by the Governor.
Sec. 3.  Chairs. Resolved:  That the first appointed member from the Senate and the 
first appointed member from the House of Representatives shall serve as cochairs of the 
commission.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of commission; number of meetings. 
Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, 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 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, with the assistance of the Maine State Housing 
Authority, the commission shall study the issue of home ownership being out of reach of 
low-income and moderate-income families and the issue of the market being determined 
by buyers of seasonal housing, threatening the year-round character of communities and 
requiring members of families to commute long distances to their places of employment.  
The study must include a review of:
1.  The extent of the need of affordable housing for families in the State;
2.  Variations in housing markets, local conditions, housing costs and area incomes;
3.  Best practices in local efforts to meet the need for affordable housing; and 
4.  The potential for new state resources to address the need for affordable housing in 
a manner that leverages local efforts and other available resources.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance. Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than 
December 7, 2022, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and 
recommendations, and may include suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor and housing matters.  The joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor and housing matters may 
submit legislation based upon the report to the First Regular Session of the 131st 
Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve creates the Commission to Study Best Practices and Different Area Needs 
for Development of Affordable Homes and Expanding Home Ownership in Maine 
Communities.  The commission has 13 members consisting of Legislators and others with 
interest or experience in affordable housing and financing in the State.  The commission is 
required to submit its report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over labor and housing matters no later than December 7, 2022.