Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §163-B is enacted to read:

§163-B.__Technical Advisory Office

1.__Office authorized.__In addition to the legislative staff services under section 163-A, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall maintain the Technical Advisory Office when directed by the Legislative Council.

2.__Structure.__The Technical Advisory Office consists of retired volunteers and one 1/2-time legislative staff person who serves as the technical coordinator.__These volunteers are not entitled to compensation or expenses.__The volunteers are selected based upon their technical or managerial experience in government, industry or education and their expertise in particular existing or potential legislative issues regarding technology or science.

3.__Function.__The Technical Advisory Office shall provide unbiased and nonpartisan research, analysis and recommendations on technical or scientific issues as directed by the technical coordinator.

4.__Coordination with retirees' organization.__The Executive Director and the technical coordinator shall actively seek input from and coordinate with statewide organizations representing retirees in providing services through the Technical Advisory Office.

SUMMARY

This bill, modeled after an initiative begun in Delaware in 1999, authorizes a Technical Advisory Office, under the auspices of the Legislative Council, to make use of the technical and scientific expertise of retired volunteers in the State in advising the Legislature.