S.P. 542 - L.D. 1661
Resolve, to Implement the Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Hunger and Food Security
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Maine Millenium Commission on Hunger and Food Security, referred to in this section as the "commission," is established.
1. Members. The commission consists of 15 members appointed in September 1999 as follows: one Senator from the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters, appointed by the President of the Senate; 3 Representatives from the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one representative of the Department of Human Services, appointed by the Commissioner of Human Services; and 10 representatives of the general public, including representatives of business, labor, religion, private nonprofit charitable organizations, low-income organizations and agriculture and antihunger organizations, 4 of whom are appointed by the Governor, 3 by the President of the Senate and 3 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
2. Organizational meeting. The commission shall hold an organizational meeting, called by the Chair of the Legislative Council, by December 1, 1999 and shall elect from among the members a chair and a vice-chair for the commission.
3. Duties. The commission shall hold hearings on hunger and food security, which, for the purposes of this section, means access through normal channels to nutrition sufficient for daily life and work, and develop a plan for relieving hunger and ensuring food security for people in the State. The commission shall inquire into the experience of hunger in this State and investigate changes in policies and programs that will enable all citizens of this State to attain food security and to move toward self-reliance. This inquiry must include, but is not limited to, consideration of the reform of public welfare and the role of public and private efforts in achieving food security. The commission shall evaluate the progress of recommendations made by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Hunger and Food Security.
4. Staff assistance. The Department of Human Services and the Executive Department, State Planning Office shall provide research, clerical and computer assistance to the commission.
5. Reimbursement; mileage. The members of the commission who are Legislators are entitled to receive the legislative per diem as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2 and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses for attendance at meetings of the commission upon application to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council for those expenses. Other members of the commission are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses.
6. Report. The commission shall submit a report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the First Regular Session of the 120th Legislature by December 15, 2001.
7. Funding. The commission may seek outside sources of funding.
Effective July 9, 1998, unless otherwise indicated.
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