Whereas, residents of the State are incurring significant postage costs to send mail to members of the armed forces stationed overseas; 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. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF

A.Military Training and Operations 0108

Initiative: Appropriates funds to cover certain postage costs incurred by legal residents of the State pertaining to the shipment of mail to members of the armed services stationed overseas. The Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management is authorized to adopt rules specifying the application process and the method to be used to make postage payments for qualified mailings.

GENERAL FUND 2005-06 2006-07

All Other $100,000 $0

________ ______

GENERAL FUND TOTAL $100,000

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

SUMMARY

This bill appropriates funds to cover certain postage costs incurred by legal residents of the State pertaining to the shipment of mail to members of the armed services stationed overseas.