Resolve, to Establish a Commission to Commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1029
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: PAULHUS, SACHS, PIERCE, ARATA, CLOUTIER, FAULKINGHAM, TALBOT ROSS, TERRY, DAUGHTRY, VITELLI

Legislative Document
No. 1029
H.P. 665
House of Representatives, March 7, 2023
Resolve, to Establish a Commission to Commemorate the 250th 
Anniversary of the Founding of the United States
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative PAULHUS of Bath.
Cosponsored by Representative SACHS of Freeport, Senator PIERCE of Cumberland and
Representatives: ARATA of New Gloucester, CLOUTIER of Lewiston, FAULKINGHAM of 
Winter Harbor, Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland, TERRY of Gorham, Senators: 
DAUGHTRY of Cumberland, VITELLI of Sagadahoc.
Sec. 1. Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Maine Semiquincentennial 
Commission, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established.
Sec. 2. Commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 16 members as follows:
1.  One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;
2.  One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House;
3.  The Secretary of State, or the Secretary of State's designee;
4.  The State Historian, or the State Historian's designee;
5.  The Chair of the Maine State Cultural Affairs Council, or the chair's designee;
6.  The State Archivist, or the State Archivist's designee;
7.  The Director of the Maine State Museum, or the director's designee;
8.  The State Librarian, or the State Librarian's designee;
9.  A representative of a statewide organization to promote tourism in the State, 
appointed by the President of the Senate;
10.   A representative of a statewide organization that promotes arts and culture in the 
State, appointed by the President of the Senate;
11.  A representative of a history museum or historical society, appointed by the 
Speaker of the House;
12.  A representative of a statewide humanities organization that uses humanities as a 
tool for positive change in the State's communities, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
13.  A representative of a statewide organization that promotes and enhances the value 
of Maine libraries, appointed by the Secretary of State;
14.  A representative of the historic preservation profession, appointed by the Secretary 
of State;
15.  A representative of prekindergarten to grade 12 education and adult education, 
appointed by the Governor; and
16.  A representative of local government, appointed by the Governor.
In addition to the 16 members under this section, the Governor, the President of the 
Senate and the Speaker of the House serve as ex officio members of the commission.
Sec. 3. Appointment terms.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Legislators appointed to the commission pursuant to section 2 serve terms coincident with 
their legislative terms and are appointed every 2 years.  Legislators may be reappointed to 
the commission and may continue to serve until their replacements are designated.  Other 
appointed members are appointed for terms that expire December 31, 2026; a vacancy is 
filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Sec. 4. Appointments; chair; convening of commission.  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.  
When appointment of all members is complete, the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission no later than December 
1, 2023.  The Secretary of State shall name 5 members to constitute an executive 
committee, which shall act as chair of the commission.  The Secretary of State, with advice 
from the commission, also may appoint honorary members and shall establish an advisory 
council composed of people who are especially interested in the celebration of the United 
States Semiquincentennial.
Sec. 5. Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall develop and coordinate the 
commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, 
referred to in this resolve as "the commemoration," through educational and historical 
events, activities and programs throughout the State.  All agencies of the State and political 
subdivisions of the State shall cooperate with the commission and may grant funds, 
property and services to the commission to carry out the purposes of this resolve.  To carry 
out the purposes of this resolve the commission may:
1.  Enter into contracts that have been approved by the Secretary of State and the 
Attorney General;
2.  Adopt an official flag, seal or other emblem for the commemoration, copyright an 
official flag, seal or emblem in the name of the State and, with the approval of the Secretary 
of State, lease or sell the title or right to use the official flag, seal or emblem upon terms 
determined by the commission.  Any revenue from the lease or sale of the title or right to 
use an official flag, seal or emblem under this subsection must be credited to the fund 
established in section 12; and
3. Accept donations of money, property or services and the cooperation of the Federal 
Government and state, civic, patriotic and historical groups and educational institutions.  
Any donations of money under this subsection must be credited to the fund established in 
section 12.
Sec. 6. Proclamation.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Governor shall issue a proclamation inviting the people of the State and of the United States 
to participate in and observe the commemoration.
Sec. 7. Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Secretary of State may employ administrative staff to serve the commission.
Sec. 8. Expenses.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the executive 
committee established under section 4 shall draft a commission budget and may pay 
necessary expenses of the commission from the fund established under section 12.  The 
Secretary of State may request additional appropriations from the Legislature for necessary 
expenses of the commission.
Sec. 9. Compensation.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, a member 
of the commission may receive reimbursement for necessary expenses related to the 
performance of the member's duties on the commission.
Sec. 10. Meetings.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
commission may hold up to 5 meetings a year, one of which must be a public hearing.  The 
executive committee established under section 4 may request authority and the Secretary 
of State may grant authority for additional meetings.
Sec. 11. Report.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the commission 
shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on its activities.
Sec. 12. Maine Semiquincentennial Fund.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding 
Joint Rule 353, the Maine Semiquincentennial Fund, referred to in this resolve as "the 
fund," is established.  The fund is administered by the Department of the Secretary of State 
on behalf of the commission. Balances in the fund may not lapse and must be carried 
forward and used for the purposes of this resolve.  The commission may accept and deposit 
in the fund money from appropriations and private and public sources.  The Treasurer of 
State shall invest unexpended money in the fund and all proceeds of these investments 
accrue to the fund. The fund terminates on December 31, 2027 and any unexpended balance 
in the fund on December 31, 2027 must be transferred to the General Fund.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission to develop and 
coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United 
States of America through educational and historical events, activities and programs 
throughout the State.