130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2021
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.
Printed on recycled paper
 1 Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission To Research
2 Effective Strategies and Efficiencies of Legislatures, referred to in this resolve as "the
3 commission," is established.
4 Sec. 2. Membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the
5 commission consists of 8 members appointed as follows:
6 1. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including a
7 member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
8 2. Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the
9 House, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats
10 in the Legislature;
11 3. Two members representing the Executive Department, appointed by the President
12 of the Senate; and
13 4. Two members representing the Judicial Department, appointed by the Speaker of
14 the House.
15 The commission shall also invite the participation of representatives of the National
16 Conference of State Legislatures.
17 Sec. 3. Commission chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is
18 the Senate chair of the commission and the first-named member of the House of
19 Representatives is the House chair of the commission.
20 Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: That all
21 appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this
22 resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative
23 Council once all appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members has
24 been completed, the chairs of the commission shall call and convene the first meeting of
25 the commission. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but
26 not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative
27 Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct its business.
28 Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall examine the operations of
29 the Legislature including:
30 1. The overall structure of the Legislature, including the number of Legislators;
31 2. The Legislative Council;
32 3. The process for allowing the introduction of bills;
33 4. The number of bills in a legislative session and biennium;
34 5. The structure of joint standing committees;
35 6. The budget process;
36 7. Legislator term limits; and
37 8. The legislative pay structure.
38 In performing its duties under this section, the commission shall compare current legislative
39 operations in this State with those of other state legislatures in the United States.
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 1 Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the
2 Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission, except that
3 Legislative Council staff support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or
4 special session.
5 Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 1, 2021, the commission
6 shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested
7 legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature.
8 SUMMARY
9 This resolve establishes the Commission To Research Effective Strategies and
10 Efficiencies of Legislatures.
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