Whereas, the Commission to Study Equity in the Distribution of Gas Tax Revenues Attributable to Snowmobiles, All-terrain Vehicles and Watercraft was created by Resolve 1999, chapter 131, with a final reporting date of December 6, 2000; and

Whereas, that commission was authorized to undertake research as necessary to collect and update information on the amount and type of fuel purchased for and consumed within this State by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and motorboats and information on the amount and type of fuel purchased in this State for those vehicles and consumed outside the jurisdiction of this State; and

Whereas, that commission has authorized surveys to determine the amount of gasoline consumed by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and watercraft; and

Whereas, the information obtained through those surveys is essential for the commission to fulfill its charge of determining the equitable distribution of gas tax revenues generated by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and motorboats; and

Whereas, it is critical to the validity of the survey results that adequate time be allowed to develop the survey methodology and the survey questionnaire, to select the random sample of survey participants, to administer the survey and to analyze the survey results; and

Whereas, the successful completion of that work requires that the commission be extended until December 6, 2001, for the purpose of providing policy oversight of those survey efforts and to submit its findings and recommendations to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature; 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

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission to Study Equity in the Distribution of Gas Tax Revenues Attributable to Snowmobiles, All-terrain Vehicles and Watercraft, referred to in this resolve as the "commission," is established; and be it further