Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Update Maine's Public Policy on Higher Education
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1264
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: MILLETT, JACKSON, BRENNAN, DODGE, LYMAN, SAMPSON, SARGENT, SAYRE, TALBOT ROSS, RAFFERTY

Legislative Document
No. 1264
H.P. 812
House of Representatives, March 21, 2023
Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Update Maine's Public 
Policy on Higher Education
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MILLETT of Cape Elizabeth.
Cosponsored by President JACKSON of Aroostook and
Representatives: BRENNAN of Portland, DODGE of Belfast, LYMAN of Livermore Falls, 
SAMPSON of Alfred, SARGENT of York, SAYRE of Kennebunk, Speaker TALBOT ROSS 
of Portland, Senator: RAFFERTY of York.
Sec. 1.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission to Update 
Maine's Public Policy on Higher Education, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," 
is established.
Sec. 2.  Study group membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the study group consists of 13 members, including:
1.  Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, who serve 
on the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, including one member 
of the party holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and one member of the 
party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Legislature;
2.  Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, who serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, 
including 2 members of the party holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and 
one member of the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Legislature;
3.  One member with expertise in higher education policy issues representing a 
statewide education policy research institute, appointed by the President of the Senate;
4.   One member who is a representative of a union representing the faculty of the 
Maine Community College System, appointed by the President of the Senate;
5.  One member who is a representative of a union representing the faculty of the 
University of Maine System, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
6.  One member who is a representative of a union representing the faculty of the Maine 
Maritime Academy, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
7.  The Chancellor of the University of Maine System or the chancellor's designee;
8.  The President of the Maine Community College System or the president's designee;
9.  The President of the Maine Maritime Academy or the president's designee; and
10.  The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee.
In appointing members of the commission, the appointing authorities shall give 
consideration to race, gender, socioeconomic diversity and geographic diversity.
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 
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 completed.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the study group.  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 group to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall review all related laws and 
rules addressing the State's public policy on higher education, including but not limited to 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 10902, and make recommendations for 
potential legislative changes.
In conducting its review, the commission shall analyze present and future goals, 
including but not limited to expanding access to affordable high-quality higher education 
to help students achieve postsecondary success in the 21st century.
To assist the commission in carrying out its review, the Department of Education, the 
University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System and the Maine 
Maritime Academy each shall provide to the commission any data and information the 
commission considers relevant to its work.
At the discretion of the chairs, the commission may seek input from any students, 
faculty and staff in the State's public institutions of higher education, groups that have an 
interest in the State's public institutions of higher education and other stakeholders.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That 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 6, 2023, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The joint 
standing committee may report out a bill related to the report to the Second Regular Session 
of the 131st Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Commission to Update Maine's Public Policy on Higher 
Education to review all laws and rules pertaining to higher education in the State and 
addressing related public policy.