Resolve, to Establish the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1597
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: JACKSON, SUPICA, BRENNER, FARRIN, HICKMAN, TIMBERLAKE, ALBERT, BABIN

Legislative Document
No. 1597
S.P. 628
In Senate, April 11, 2023
Resolve, to Establish the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study 
Commission
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by President JACKSON of Aroostook.
Cosponsored by Representative SUPICA of Bangor and
Senators: BRENNER of Cumberland, FARRIN of Somerset, HICKMAN of Kennebec, 
TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin, Representatives: ALBERT of Madawaska, BABIN of Fort 
Fairfield.
Sec. 1.  Study commission established.  Resolved:  That the Gagetown Harmful 
Chemical Study Commission, referred to in this resolve as "the study commission," is 
established.
Sec. 2.  Study commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint 
Rule 353, the study commission consists of 10 members appointed as follows:
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
members 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 members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature;
3. Two members who represent veterans' advocacy organizations, one appointed by the 
President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House;
4. One member who is a family member of a veteran who served at the Canadian 
military support base in Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada, appointed by the President 
of the Senate;
5. One member with expertise processing veterans' claims for benefits related to 
harmful chemicals, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and
6. Two members who served at Gagetown and were exposed to harmful chemicals 
during their service, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the 
Speaker of the House.
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 study 
commission.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of study 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 completed.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the study 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 study commission to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the study commission shall study the impacts of 
exposure to harmful chemicals on veterans who served at the Canadian military support 
base in Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the study 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 6, 2023, the study 
commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including 
suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 131st 
Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission to study 
the impacts of exposure to harmful chemicals on veterans who served at the Canadian 
military support base in Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada.