S.P. 725 - L.D. 2045
Resolve, to Establish the Citizens' Advisory Committee to Secure the Future of Maine's Wildlife and Fish
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, a study of the future of Maine's wildlife and fish is essential to maintaining healthy populations of wildlife and fish in the State; 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. Committee established. Resolved: That the Citizens' Advisory Committee to Secure the Future of Maine's Wildlife and Fish, referred to in this resolve as the "committee," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2. Membership. Resolved: That the committee consists of the following 24 members:
A. The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or the commissioner's designee;
B. The Director of the State Planning Office or the director's designee;
C. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the commissioner's designee;
D. The Commissioner of Conservation or the commissioner's designee;
E. Two Legislators appointed by the President of the Senate;
F. Three Legislators appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
G. One member who represents a statewide organization of licensed Maine Guides, appointed by the Governor;
H. One member who represents a statewide organization of hunters, anglers and trappers, appointed by the Governor;
I. One member who represents the interests of sporting camp owners, appointed by the Governor;
J. One member who represents a statewide nonprofit organization that specializes in wildlife conservation and natural resource education, appointed by the Governor;
K. One member who represents a statewide nonprofit organization that specializes in land acquisition to protect the diversity of Maine's native plant and wildlife habitat, appointed by the Governor;
L. One member who is an economist and who specializes in natural resource economics, appointed by the Governor;
M. One member who is a professor of wildlife ecology or fisheries, appointed by the Governor;
N. One member who represents a business that offers ecological tours, appointed by the Governor;
O. One member with professional wildlife or fisheries experience who represents the interest of a large corporate landowner, appointed by the Governor;
P. One member who is a writer, publisher or editor who has experience with environmental, outdoor recreation or wildlife issues, appointed by the Governor;
Q. One member who is a Maine citizen who represents nonconsumptive uses of wildlife, appointed by the Governor;
R. One member representing trappers, appointed by the Governor;
S. One member with experience in fish and wildlife law enforcement, appointed by the Governor;
T. One member representing a Maine paper mill, appointed by the Governor; and
U. One member employed as a professional logger, appointed by the Governor; and be it further
Sec. 3. Appointments; meetings. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council upon making their appointments. The chairs of the committee shall commence the first meeting of the committee no later than August 1, 1999. The committee may hold up to 6 meetings; and be it further
Sec. 4. Chairs; officers. Resolved: That the first named Senate member is the Senate chair, and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair. The committee may select other officers and designate their duties; and be it further
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the committee shall study the following aspects of Maine's fish and wildlife resources:
A. The needs of Maine's fish and wildlife and the needs of Maine's citizens in relation to Maine's fish and wildlife, whether the needs are being met and the risks associated with unmet needs;
B. The studies, programs, organizational structures and budgets utilized by other states to manage and conserve fish and wildlife resources;
C. The financial contribution to the State's economy of the recreational fish and wildlife industries;
D. Whether the structure, tasks, resources, programs and funding of wildlife conservation are adequate to secure fish and wildlife as an economic resource and as a valued Maine heritage; and
E. Strategies, actions and solutions that are necessary to secure Maine's wildlife heritage; and be it further
Sec. 6. Funding. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife may accept funds on behalf of the committee from any public or private source. The commissioner shall establish a separate account for these funds and administer the account. The commissioner may use the funds to hire a staff person and contract for services related to the committee's duties; and be it further
Sec. 7. Staff. Resolved: That upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall provide assistance to the committee as required by the chairs of the committee; and be it further
Sec. 8. Compensation. Resolved: That members of the committee who are Legislators are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, for each day's attendance at meetings of the committee. Public members who are not otherwise compensated by their employer or other entities whom they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses for their attendance at meetings of the committee. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall administer the committee's budget; and be it further
Sec. 9. Report. Resolved: That the committee shall submit its report, together with any recommended implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife no later than December 15, 2000. If the committee requires an extension of time to complete its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant an extension; and be it further
Sec. 10. Appropriation. Resolved: That the following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this resolve.
1999-00
LEGISLATURE
Citizens' Advisory Committee to Secure the Future of Maine's Wildlife and Fish
Personal Services $1,650
All Other 6,500
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and the expenses of other eligible members of the Citizens' Advisory Committee to Secure the Future of Maine's Wildlife and Fish and to print the required report.
LEGISLATURE ____________
TOTAL $8,150
; and be it further
Sec. 11. Allocation. Resolved: That the following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue funds to carry out the purposes of this resolve.
1999-00 2000-01
INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, DEPARTMENT OF
Office of the Commissioner - Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
All Other $500 $500
Allocates funds to allow the department to provide necessary services to the Citizens' Advisory Committee to Secure the Future of Maine's Wildlife and Fish.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.
Effective June 17, 1999.
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