Whereas, the 118th Legislature enacted Public Law 1997, chapter 316, requiring the Public Utilities Commission to establish needs-based assistance for low-income persons in this State; and

Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission will establish an electric assistance program to become effective before the winter of 2001-2002; and

Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect immediately to allow the Maine State Housing Authority the time necessary to implement procedures to administer this electric assistance program; 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. 30-A MRSA c. 201, sub-c. XI-A is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER XI-A

ELECTRIC ASSISTANCE

§4961.__Electric assistance program

1.__Definitions.__As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Authority" means the Maine State Housing Authority established pursuant to section 4722.

B.__"Electric assistance" means assistance as established by the commission pursuant to Title 35-A, section 3214 and rules adopted pursuant to that section, based on an eligible household's income level and electricity usage and paid to an electric utility on behalf of an eligible household.

C.__"Electric utility" means a transmission and distribution utility as defined in Title 35-A, section 102, subsection 20-B.