Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study and Recommend Solutions for Modernizing the Maine Legislature
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1670
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: BAILEY, CARLOW, GERE, GROHOSKI, NEWELL, WARREN, STEWART

Legislative Document
No. 1670
H.P. 1241
House of Representatives, May 5, 2021
Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study and Recommend 
Solutions for Modernizing the Maine Legislature
Received by the Clerk of the House on May 3, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on State 
and Local Government pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 
401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative BAILEY of Gorham.
Cosponsored by Representatives: CARLOW of Buxton, GERE of Kennebunkport, 
GROHOSKI of Ellsworth, McDONALD of Stonington, NEWELL of the Passamaquoddy 
Tribe, WARREN of Hallowell, Senator: STEWART of Aroostook.
Sec. 1.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission To Study and 
Recommend Solutions for Modernizing the Maine Legislature, referred to in this resolve 
as "the commission," is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 15 members appointed as follows:
1. Four members who are current or former members of the Senate appointed by the 
President of the Senate, 2 of whom are from the party holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature and 2 of whom are from the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats 
in the Legislature;
2. Five members who are current or former members of the House of Representatives 
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 of whom are from the party 
holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature, 2 of whom are from the party holding 
the 2nd largest number of seats in the Legislature and one without a party affiliation;
3. Four members recommended by the board of directors of an association of women 
voters in the State who are appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives;
4. One member appointed by the Governor; and
5. One member appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member and the first-named 
House of Representatives member 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 cochairs 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 cochairs may request authority and 
the Legislative Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct its 
business. The commission shall meet at least 10 times and shall allow for virtual 
participation by citizens of the State.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall study issues regarding and 
solutions for modernizing the Legislature, including, but not limited to:
1. Improving efficiencies through technology;
2. Improving the legislative process itself;
3. Increasing transparency;
4. Improving physical access;
5. Evaluating COVID-19 pandemic changes;
6. Evaluating remote access, as implemented during the First Regular Session of the 
130th Legislature;
7. Evaluating joint committee meetings;
8. Limiting the number of bills;
9. Reducing the size of the Legislature, including whether there should be 2 House 
districts within each Senate district;
10. Exploring whether the State would benefit from a professional legislature versus a 
citizen legislature;
11. Exploring whether the State would benefit from a year-round legislature;
12.  Implementing a unicameral legislature versus maintaining a bicameral legislature;
13.  Implementing multimember districts versus maintaining single-member districts;
14. Increasing term limits to 6 or 8 terms;
15. Imposing statutory term limits for leadership and committee chairs; and
16. Changing legislative staffing structure.
The commission shall consult with the National Conference of State Legislatures on 
best practices and ideas from other states for modernizing the Legislature.
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 
November 2, 2022, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and 
recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on 
State and Local Government.  The joint standing committee of the 131st Legislature having 
jurisdiction over state and local government matters may submit legislation based upon the 
report to the First Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Commission To Study and Recommend Solutions for 
Modernizing the Maine Legislature. The commission has 15 members.  The commission is 
required to submit its report to the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local 
Government no later than November 2, 2022.