6. Expenses and per diem. Commission members who are Legislators are entitled to receive legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at meetings of the commission. Commission members who are members of the Workers' Compensation Board are entitled to per diem and expenses as provided in Title 39-A, section 151, subsection 6. The Workers' Compensation Board shall transfer sufficient funds from its reserve fund to the Legislature to cover the costs of legislative per diem and expenses for commission meetings.

7. Staff. The Workers' Compensation Board shall provide staffing to the commission. Upon approval by the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review shall also provide staff assistance to the commission.

8. Extension. If the commission requires a limited extension of time to complete its study and make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant an extension.

9. Commission budget. 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 its 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 budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

Sec. 4. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD

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