Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §19202, sub-§2, as repealed and replaced by PL 1993, c. 384, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §19202, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:

2-A.__Membership.__The Maine HIV Advisory Committee consists of 9 members, appointed on the basis of their knowledge and experience, as follows:

A.__Three members appointed by the Governor;

B.__Three members appointed by the President of the Senate; and

C.__Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House.

Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §19202, sub-§3, as repealed and replaced by PL 1993, c. 384, §2, is amended to read:

3. Terms; compensation. The term of office of each member is 3 2 years; except that of the members first appointed pursuant to subsection 2-A, 1/3 4 must be appointed for a term of one year, 1/3 and the remainder for a term of 2 years and 1/3 for a term of 3 years; the Commissioner of Human Services or the commissioner's designee serves during the commissioner's term of office; and Legislators serve during the term for which they were elected. The Governor shall designate a chair and vice-chair to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The chair is the presiding member of the committee. All vacancies must be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments. The members of the committee are entitled to compensation in accordance with chapter 379.

SUMMARY

Current law calls for the Maine HIV Advisory Committee to consist of 36 members, drawn from 31 different constituencies. This bill reduces the committee to a more manageable 9 members, serving for 2-year, rather than the present 3-year, terms. Members would be appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House based upon knowledge and experience, rather than constituency. The mission and duties of the committee are unchanged.