Whereas, this Act eliminates the per diem compensation payment for attendance at any special session of the Legislature that convenes before the applicable statutory adjournment date; and

Whereas, this Act applies retroactively to apply to any special session of the 121st Legislature that is convened after January 30, 2004 and prior to April 21, 2004; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §2, 6th ¶, as amended by PL 1989, c. 501, Pt. O, §3, c. 600, Pt. B, §§9 and 10 and c. 878, Pt. D, §§14 and 15, is further amended to read:

In addition to the salary paid for the first and 2nd regular sessions of the Legislature, when a special session is called, the members of the Senate and House of Representatives shall must each be compensated $100 for every day's attendance, expenses and mileage pursuant to this section; except that if a special session is called during the time period specified in this section for a first regular session or 2nd regular session, the special session per diem does not apply.

Sec. 2. Retroactivity. This Act applies retroactively to January 30, 2004.

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

SUMMARY

This bill eliminates the per diem compensation payment for attendance at any special session of the Legislature that convenes prior to the statutory adjournment date. This bill applies retroactively to January 30, 2004.