1. The feasibility of establishing an alternative system of governance in the unorganized territories such as the system described in the report of the subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government on Legislative Document 299, dated December 6, 1999, which proposes to amend the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A by establishing chapter 306, Governance of Unorganized Towns or Deorganized Municipalities;

2. The processes by which residents of the unorganized territories in which an alternative system of governance, such as the system described in the subcommittee report on Legislative Document 299, has been proposed will be informed of the changes that may result from establishing the new governance system;

3. The extent to which changes in the governance structure of the unorganized territories, such as those proposed in the subcommittee report on Legislative Document 299, may financially affect residents of the unorganized territories and of the State; and

4. The extent to which changes in the governance structure of the unorganized territories, such as those proposed in the subcommittee report on Legislative Document 299, may affect the provision of services to the inhabitants of the unorganized territories.

In carrying out its duties, the committee may seek the expertise of the Department of Education, the Department of Audit, the Bureau of Revenue Services within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services and the Department of the Secretary of State; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee; and be it further

Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That legislative members are entitled to receive legislative per diem and reimbursement of necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized meetings of the committee. Public members, not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities who they represent, are entitled to receive reimbursement for necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized meetings of the committee; and be it further

Sec. 8. Reporting date established. Resolved: That the committee shall submit a report with recommendations and any accompanying legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government by December 15, 2001. Following the receipt of the report, the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature. If the committee requires a limited extension of time to conclude its work, it may apply to the Legislative Council, who may grant the extension; and be it further

Sec. 9. Budget. Resolved: That the cochairs of the committee, with assistance from the committee staff, shall administer the committee budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the committee shall present its work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The committee may not incur expenses that would result in the committee exceeding its approved budget. Upon request of the committee, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the committee cochairs and staff with a status report on the committee budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds; and be it further

Sec. 10. Appropriation. Resolved: That the following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this resolve.

2001-02

LEGISLATURE

Committee to Study the Governance of

the Unorganized Territories of Maine

Personal Services $1,925

All Other 5,400

Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and expenses for other eligible members of the Committee to Study the Governance of the Unorganized Territories of Maine and to print the required report.

LEGISLATURE ________

TOTAL $7,325

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the 15-member Committee to Study the Governance of the Unorganized Territories of Maine. The resolve charges the committee with examining the feasibility of establishing an alternative system of governance for the unorganized territories, such as that proposed in the report of the subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government on Legislative Document 299. The resolve sets a reporting deadline of December 15, 2001.