Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Study the Effects of Ocean Acidification and Its Potential Effects on Commercial Shellfish Harvested and Grown along the Maine Coast

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

Whereas,  the Commission To Study the Effects of Ocean Acidification and Its Potential Effects on Commercial Shellfish Harvested and Grown along the Maine Coast is established to ensure effective coordination of the programs and scientific research regarding ocean acidification and to provide policies and tools to respond to the adverse effects of ocean acidification on commercially important shellfish fisheries and Maine's shellfish aquaculture industry; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; 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

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Commission To Study the Effects of Ocean Acidification and Its Potential Effects on Commercial Shellfish Harvested and Grown along the Maine Coast, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 11 members appointed as follows:

1. One public member appointed by the Governor;

2. One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

3. Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:

4. Six members appointed by the Commissioner of Marine Resources as follows:

5. One representative from the Department of Environmental Protection appointed by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the Senate member and the House of Representatives member shall jointly chair the commission; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study and review existing literature and data on ocean acidification and how it has affected or could potentially affect commercially harvested and grown shellfish along the coast of the State including:

1. The factors driving ocean acidification;

2. How to mitigate ocean acidification;

3. How to strengthen the scientific monitoring, research and analysis regarding the causes of and trends in ocean acidification; and

4. What actions are necessary to protect commercially valuable shellfish species and the State's shellfish aquaculture industry.

The commission shall develop a plan of outreach to the general public to increase awareness of ocean acidification based on the study and review; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than November 5, 2014, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters is authorized to submit a bill to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature related to the subject matter of the report.

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

summary

This resolve establishes the Commission To Study the Effects of Ocean Acidification and Its Potential Effects on Commercial Shellfish Harvested and Grown along the Maine Coast.