An Act To Strengthen Intragovernment Communication

Sec. 1. 2 MRSA c. 7  is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 7

AGENCIES

§ 201.  Participation by agencies in legislative process

Upon the request of a joint standing committee of the Legislature or a study commission or work group formed by legislative action, a commissioner or director of a state agency or the commissioner's or director's designee shall appear before and participate in a public hearing or work session of that committee, commission or work group. The request to appear must be in writing and must specify the date and time of the hearing or work session.

As used in this chapter, "state agency" means a state department, agency, office, board or commission or a quasi-independent agency, board, commission, authority or institution.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the commissioner or director of a state agency, which includes executive branch departments and quasi-independent agencies, to appear before a joint standing committee of the Legislature or a study commission or work group formed by legislative action and to participate in a hearing or work session of that committee, commission or work group. The committee, commission or work group must request the attendance of the commissioner or director in writing and provide the date and time of the hearing or work session.