An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the State Compensation Commission
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 Governor's current annual salary was established in 1987 and is the lowest in the nation; and
Whereas, the current annual salary of members of the Legislature was established in 1999 with an annual cost-of-living increase not to exceed 3% per year; and
Whereas, the State Compensation Commission, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, chapter 1, is charged to review and make recommendations on compensation for all constitutional officers on an ongoing basis; and
Whereas, the State Compensation Commission must complete its work, including producing a report and holding a public hearing, by January 15, 2020; 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,
Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §2-B, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2017, c. 242, §2, is further amended to read:
(1-A) For the report required in the 3rd last year of a gubernatorial term, for compensation for the Governor, including all payments for salaries, meals, housing, travel, mileage, constituent services and all other expenses and allowances;
(1-B) For compensation for justices and judges, including all payments for salaries, meals, housing, travel, mileage and all other expenses and allowances, and for additional services by any justice or judge. Nothing in this subparagraph prevents the judicial branch from making recommendations to the Governor or Legislature for compensation for justices and judges, including, but not limited to, recommendations made by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court in preparing the budget of the judicial branch as required by Title 4, section 1; and
(1-C) For compensation of Legislators, representatives of Indian tribes, Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Senate and Clerk and Assistant Clerk of the House of Representatives, including all payments for salaries, meals, housing, travel, mileage, constituent services and all other expenses and allowances, and for additional services by the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and members of legislative leadership;
Before reporting as required in this subsection and subsequent to giving public notice, the commission shall hold a public hearing on the report. Subsequent to reporting, the commission shall meet, if requested, with the Governor, the Legislative Council and legislative committees to discuss the report.
The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over state and local government matters may introduce a bill based upon the final report of the commission.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.