CHAPTER 506
H.P. 999 - L.D. 1391
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §2-B is enacted to read:
§2-B. State Compensation Commission
1. State Compensation Commission; membership. The State Compensation Commission, established in Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 26-D and referred to in this section as the "commission," consists of 5 members appointed as follows:
A. Two members, not from the same political party, appointed by the President of the Senate;
B. Two members, not from the same political party, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and
C. One member appointed by a majority of the members appointed under paragraphs A and B, who serves as chair of the commission.
The 5 members must be residents of the State and appointed from the public. A person may not be appointed who is a Legislator at the time of appointment.
All members must be appointed for a term to coincide with the legislative biennium. A vacancy must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.
The members of the commission are entitled to a per diem, expenses and allowances at the same rate as Legislators.
2. Duties of commission. The commission must issue its first report no later than January 1, 1998. No later than January 1st of every even-numbered year thereafter, the commission shall submit to the Legislature a report of the commission. The report must contain:
A. A description of the commission's activities;
B. The recommendations of the commission for all regular and special sessions of the next Legislature concerning:
(1) Compensation of Legislators and representatives of Indian tribes, including, but not limited to, all payments for: salaries, meals, housing, travel, mileage and all other expenses and allowances; additional service as President of the Senate, as Speaker of the House or as a member of leadership; and for constituent services; and
(2) Compensation for the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Treasurer of State and the State Auditor;
C. The reasons for its recommendations;
D. Drafts of any legislation required to implement its recommendations; and
E. Any other material and recommendations that commission members may wish to submit.
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.
3. Appointments; meetings. The 4 appointments by the presiding officers must be made no later than 15 days following the effective date of this section. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified once the selections have been made. Within 15 days of the appointment of the initial 4 members, the Chair of the Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission.
4. Staff assistance. The commission shall request staff assistance from the Legislative Council.
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §12004-G, sub-§26-D is enacted to read:
Sec. 3. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
1997-98 1998-99
LEGISLATURE
State Compensation Commission
Personal Services $2,200 $2,200
All Other 3,500 2,000
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of members and, in fiscal year 1997-98 only, funds for public hearing and printing costs.
LEGISLATURE ____________ ____________
TOTAL $5,700 $4,200
Effective September 19, 1997, unless otherwise indicated.
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