Sec. B-1. Task force established. The Task Force to Study the Geographic Isolation Adjustment of the School Funding Formula and Other Geographic Isolation Issues, referred to in this Part as the "task force," is established.

Sec. B-2. Task force membership. The task force consists of the following 13 members:

1. Three members from the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;

2. Three members from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee;

4. Three administrators or superintendents of school districts or school unions, 2 appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House;

5. Two teachers, one each appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House; and

6. One member of the public, appointed by the President of the Senate.

Sec. B-3. Chairs. The first named Senate member is the Senate chair of the task force and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force.

Sec. B-4. Appointments; meetings. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this Act. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified by the appointing authorities once the selections have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the task force shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force no later than August 1, 2001.

Sec. B-5. Duties. The task force shall examine the issues and problems associated with and arising out of geographic isolation in this State. The task force shall give special attention to the geographic isolation adjustment to school funding as provided in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15612 and determine whether the adjustment is serving the purpose for which it was enacted, especially for those geographically isolated inland and island communities. In conducting the study, the task force may:

1. Hold informational sessions for discussions with knowledgeable persons;

2. Conduct, summarize and analyze the results of a literature search;

3. Conduct, tabulate and analyze the results of a survey of the public or affected persons and groups;

4. Procure and analyze relevant data;

5. Conduct legal research and prepare opinions on legal questions within the scope of the study; and

6. Determine and summarize the legislative actions or governmental programs undertaken in other jurisdictions related to issues within the scope of the study.

Sec. B-6. Staff assistance. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force.

Sec. B-7. Compensation. The members of the task force 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 task force. Other members of the task force 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.

Sec. B-8. Report. The task force shall submit its report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature no later than January 15, 2002. If the task force requires a limited extension of time to conclude its work, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension.

Sec. B-9. Budget. The chairs of the task force, with assistance from the task force staff, shall administer the task force's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the task force shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The task force may not incur expenses that would result in the task force exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the task force, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the task force chairs and staff with a status report on the task force's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

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

SUMMARY

Part A of this bill provides funding to fully fund the geographic isolation adjustment to the school funding formula.

Part B of this bill establishes the Task Force to Study the Geographic Isolation Adjustment of the School Funding Formula and Other Geographic Isolation Issues to study and report on issues, especially in the area of school funding, for those geographically isolated island and inland communities.