Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect immediately to allow the State Compensation Commission the time necessary to complete its work and file its report; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §2-B, as corrected by RR 1997, c. 2, §3, is amended to read:

§2-B. State Compensation Commission

1. State Compensation Commission; membership. The State Compensation Commission, established in Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 26-D and referred to in this section as the "commission," consists of 5 members appointed as follows:

A. Two members, not from the same political party, appointed by the President of the Senate;

B. Two members, not from the same political party, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

C. One member appointed by a majority of the members appointed under paragraphs A and B, who serves as chair of the commission.

The 5 members must be residents of the State and appointed from the public. A person may not be appointed who is a Legislator at the time of appointment.

All members must be appointed for a term to coincide with the legislative biennium. A vacancy must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.

The members of the commission are entitled to a per diem, expenses and allowances at the same rate as Legislators.

2. Duties of commission. The commission must issue its first report no later than January 1, 1998 April 15, 1999. No