Sec. 4. Appointments; meetings. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than August 15, 2001. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified by all appointing authorities once the selections have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the commission shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission no later than August 31, 2001; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall make an in depth analysis of the reasons and periods of time for which prisoners are assigned to the Supermax, from the time of its inception to the current time and the conditions to be met for prisoners to be released to another facility. The commission shall also examine the efficacy of the Supermax in improving the behavior of and rehabilitating the inmates. In conducting the study, the commission must visit the Supermax and interview both staff and inmates; 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 commission; and be it further

Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the members of the commission who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission. Other members of the commission who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit its report, with its findings and recommendations, to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice by December 31, 2001. The Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice may report out legislation during the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature regarding the Supermax. If the commission requires a limited extension of time to conclude its work, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further

Sec. 9. Budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the commission, with assistance from the commission staff, shall administer the commission's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the commission shall present a work plan and

proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The commission may not incur expenses that would result in the commission exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on the commission's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the Commission to Examine the Maine Correctional Institute.