3.__Terms; compensation.__The terms of the members of the committee are for 3 years, except that:

A.__The Legislators appointed pursuant to subsection 2, paragraphs A and B serve terms that are coterminous with their terms of office; and

B.__The Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, the Commissioner of Human Services and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife serve ex officio.

Members of the committee serve until a successor has been appointed.

Members of the committee serve without compensation, except for Legislators appointed pursuant to subsection 2, paragraphs A and B, who are entitled to receive the legislative per diem and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the committee.

4.__Duties.__The primary duties of the committee are to study the economic, human and public health effects of companion animal overpopulation in the State and the lack of compliance with dog licensing and rabies vaccination laws and ordinances.__The committee shall make recommendations to reduce the number of stray and homeless cats and dogs in the State, to reduce the number of healthy cats and dogs euthanized in animal shelters and to increase compliance with dog licensing and rabies vaccination laws and ordinances.

5.__Report.__The committee shall submit by January 15th an annual report of its findings and recommendations, including any recommended implementing legislation, to the Legislature and the Governor.__The committee's first report must be submitted on or before March 15, 2005.

Sec. 6. 36 MRSA §5284-A is enacted to read:

§5284-A.__Companion Animal Sterilization Fund voluntary checkoff

1.__Companion Animal Sterilization Fund.__A taxpayer who, when filing a return, is entitled to a refund under this Part may designate that a part of that refund be paid into the Companion Animal Sterilization Fund established in Title 7, section 3910-B, subsection 2.__A taxpayer who is not entitled to a refund under