Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 9 members. The President of the Senate shall appoint 4 members, to include one Senator, one member representing the private sector, one member representing a business employing fewer than 15 people and one member from the Joint Standing Committee on Business and Economic Development. The Speaker of the House shall appoint 4 members, to include one member of the House of Representatives, one member representing the public sector, one member representing a business employing fewer than 15 people and one member from the Joint Standing Committee on Business and Economic Development. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the commissioner's designee must be a member of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 3. Appointments; meetings. 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 the selections have been made. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the Chair of the Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force. The task force shall select a chair from among its legislative members; and be it further

Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall study the effect of government regulation on small businesses throughout the State by examining at a minimum the following: the current scope of regulatory and licensing structures that may impact small business; the paperwork involved in starting and maintaining a small business; and possible scenarios developed in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development that would help streamline the paperwork process for small businesses; and be it further

Sec. 5. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the task force may request staffing assistance from the Legislative Council; and be it further

Sec. 6. Expenses. Resolved: That the legislative members of the task force receive legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, for each day's attendance at task force hearings and other members of the task force are entitled to receive compensation or reimbursement for