Resolve, To Establish the Blue Ribbon Commission To Continue Studying and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems

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

Whereas,  Resolve 2019, chapter 97 established the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State’s Transportation Systems, which found that due to the complexity and importance of the subject matter it needed more time to adequately consider the issues before providing a recommendation to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation; and

Whereas,  this legislation establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission To Continue Studying and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems; and

Whereas,  it is necessary to immediately continue the work started by the previous commission in order that a recommendation may be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation and be acted upon before the end of the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature; 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 the Blue Ribbon Commission To Continue Studying and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established.

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 15 members and chairs appointed to the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems, established pursuant to Resolve 2019, chapter 97 and referred to in this resolve as "the previous commission," serve as the members and chairs of the commission.

Sec. 3. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall continue the work of the previous commission to study how to reform and adequately supplement funding for the State's transportation infrastructure to promote equity, sustainability and predictability so that the State can responsibly provide safe and reliable state transportation systems. The commission shall continue to focus on funding the state highway and bridge system and shall also develop findings or recommendations on the need and potential funding solutions for multimodal transportation infrastructure. Specific study topics may include, but are not limited to, those listed in Resolve 2019, chapter 97, section 5.

The commission shall meet up to 4 times over the course of the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature and may hold public hearings and review recommendations from the people of the State and qualified experts when appropriate. The chairs may also provide the opportunity for knowledgeable stakeholders to submit written comments throughout the study process and to provide oral testimony on the commission's draft recommendations.

Sec. 4. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission, and the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide drafting assistance for any legislation proposed by the commission.

Sec. 5. Report. Resolved: That, no later than March 5, 2020, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation. The Joint Standing Committee on Transportation may submit legislation for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

Sec. 6. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.

LEGISLATURE

Study Commissions - Funding 0444

Initiative: Allocates funds on a one-time basis for the costs to the Legislature of Legislators participating in the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission To Continue Studying and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems.

HIGHWAY FUND	2019-20	2020-21
All Other	$1,960	$0
HIGHWAY FUND TOTAL	$1,960	$0

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

SUMMARY

This resolve is reported by the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation pursuant to Resolve 2019, chapter 97, section 7 to implement the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems. This resolve establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission To Continue Studying and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems to continue the work of studying funding solutions for the State's transportation systems as recommended by the report of the previous commission created by Resolve 2019, chapter 97.