Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Research Effective Strategies and Efficiencies of Legislatures
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1073
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: STEWART, BAILEY, BENNETT, TIMBERLAKE, WHITE

Legislative Document
No. 1073
S.P. 341
In Senate, March 11, 2021
Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Research Effective 
Strategies and Efficiencies of Legislatures
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator STEWART of Aroostook.
Cosponsored by Representative BAILEY of Gorham and
Senators: BENNETT of Oxford, TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin, Representative: WHITE of 
Waterville.
Sec. 1. Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission To Research 
Effective Strategies and Efficiencies of Legislatures, referred to in this resolve as "the 
commission," is established.  
Sec. 2.  Membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
commission consists of 8 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.  Two members representing the Executive Department, appointed by the President 
of the Senate; and
4.  Two members representing the Judicial Department, appointed by the Speaker of 
the House.
The commission shall also invite the participation of representatives of the National 
Conference of State Legislatures.
Sec. 3.  Commission chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is 
the Senate chair of the commission and the first-named member of the House of 
Representatives 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 made.  When the appointment of all members has 
been completed, the chairs of the commission 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 shall examine the operations of 
the Legislature including:
1.  The overall structure of the Legislature, including the number of Legislators;
2.  The Legislative Council;
3.  The process for allowing the introduction of bills;
4.  The number of bills in a legislative session and biennium;
5.  The structure of joint standing committees;
6.  The budget process;
7.  Legislator term limits; and
8.  The legislative pay structure.
In performing its duties under this section, the commission shall compare current legislative 
operations in this State with those of other state legislatures in the United States.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, 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 December 1, 2021, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Commission To Research Effective Strategies and 
Efficiencies of Legislatures.