CHAPTER 407

S.P. 492 - L.D. 1486

An Act To Comply with Federal Election Laws Including the

Help America Vote Act of 2002

Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, HAVA, requires Maine to adopt rules establishing an administrative complaint procedure to address grievances concerning Title III of HAVA; and

Whereas, such rules must be in effect by the September 30, 2003 certification deadline of Maine's initial state plan required under Section 254 of HAVA; 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Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 614, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §1, sub-§23-A is enacted to read:

23-A.__Member of the merchant marine.__"Member of the merchant marine" means a person, other than a member of a