JOINT STUDY ORDER TO CREATE A COMMITTEE TO STUDY FURTHER DECRIMINALIZATION OF THE CRIMINAL LAWS OF MAINE
ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Committee to Study the Further Decriminalization of the Criminal Laws of Maine is established as follows.
1. Committee established. The Committee to Study Further Decriminalization of the Criminal Laws of Maine, referred to in this order as the "committee," is established.
2. Membership. The committee consists of 5 members appointed as follows:
A. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
B. Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
3. Appointments; chairs; convening of committee. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this order. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council upon making their appointments. The first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House member is the House chair. When the appointment of all members is complete, the committee chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee no later than June 30, 2000.
4. Duties. The committee shall study further decriminalization of the criminal laws of Maine. In determining whether to decriminalize criminal laws, the committee shall consider:
A. Whether it is appropriate to classify the specific prohibited conduct as criminal, especially as compared to other prohibited conduct;
B. Whether the penalties and punishments are proportioned to the offense as required under the Constitution of Maine; and
C. The consequences of decriminalizing specific crimes.
5. Staff assistance. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee.
6. Reimbursement. The committee members are entitled to receive the legislative per diem and reimbursement of necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized meetings of the committee.
7. Report. The committee shall submit its report with any accompanying legislation to the First Regular Session of the 120th Legislature by November 1, 2000. If the committee requires a limited extension of time to conclude its study and make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension.
8. Committee budget. The committee chairs, with assistance from the committee staff, shall administer the committee budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the committee shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The committee may not incur expenses that would result in the committee's exceeding its approved budget.
Passed by the Senate April 24, 2000 and the House of Representatives April 25, 2000.
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