1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall give preference to members representing the unorganized territories, one from the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government and one from the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources;

2. Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, who shall give preference to members representing the unorganized territories, one member from the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; one member from the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation; and one member from the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary;

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

4. One representative from the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, appointed by the Governor; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first named Senate member is the Senate chair of the commission and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the commission; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; meetings. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. 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 within 30 days of being notified that all appointments have been made; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study the economic and societal impact of the termination of camp lot lease arrangements and of the public enjoyment of state lands, including the lands of the unorganized territory, and develop a plan to preserve the traditional camp lot lease arrangements in and public enjoyment of state lands.

1. In conducting the study, the commission shall:

A. Review the history of and recent changes to camp lot lease arrangements in state lands, including those of the unorganized territory;

B. Review the history of public enjoyment of and access to state lands, including those of the unorganized territory, examining public access through private roads; trails, including snowmobile, hiking and multiple-use recreation trails; and rights-of-way to great ponds;

C. Assess the economic impact of the termination of camp lot leases and of the closing of public access;

D. Assess the economic impact of attempts to circumvent Maine tax law by avoidance of real estate transfer taxes and maintenance of land for tree growth, thereby paying only tree growth taxes; and

E. Research issues of colonial law and any other legal implications arising in this context.

2. The commission shall develop a plan to:

A. Preserve the traditional camp lot lease arrangements in the state lands being purchased by private individuals;

B. Ensure compensation for individuals whose camp lot leases are terminated;

C. Preserve public enjoyment of and access to the state lands being purchased by private individuals; and

D. Ensure adherence to Maine tax law.

The plan must, to the extent possible, build upon current efforts and must include an estimate of the costs associated with implementing it; 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, including the plan required by section 5 of this resolve, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature no later than November 1, 2001. 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's 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; 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

Commission to Study Issues Concerning

Changes to the Traditional Uses of Maine

Forests and Lands

Personal Services $1,100

All Other 1,800

Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members of the Commission to Study Issues Concerning Changes to the Traditional Uses of Maine Forests and Lands and to print the required report.

LEGISLATURE ______

TOTAL $2,900

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

FISCAL NOTE

2001-02

APPROPRIATIONS/ALLOCATIONS

General Fund $2,900

The Legislature will require an additional General Fund appropriation of $2,900 in fiscal year 2001-02 for the per diem and expenses of legislative members of the Commission to Study Issues Concerning Changes to the Traditional Uses of Maine Forests and Lands and to print the required report.

The additional costs associated with providing staffing assistance to the commission during the interim between legislative sessions can be absorbed by the Legislature utilizing existing budgeted resources. If an extension of the reporting deadline is granted and the commission requires staffing assistance during the legislative session, the Legislature may require an additional General Fund appropriation to contract for staff services.

The Maine Land Use Regulation Commission within the Department of Conservation will incur some minor additional costs to participate in the Commission to Study Issues Concerning Changes to the Traditional Uses of Maine Forests and Lands. These costs can be absorbed within the commission's existing budgeted resources.

SUMMARY

This resolve creates the Commission to Study Issues Concerning Changes to the Traditional Uses of Maine Forests and Lands.