CHAPTER 135
H.P. 1755 - L.D. 2461
Resolve, to Create a Commission to Study and Establish Moral Policies Regarding Foreign Investments and Foreign Purchasing by the State
Preamble. Whereas, Maine is a state that upholds the dignity of every human being, promotes basic human rights and supports social and economic justice; and
Whereas, Maine is a state that believes employers should fairly compensate hard work, that the health and safety of working people should be protected and that all forms of unlawful discrimination and abuse should not be tolerated; and
Whereas, there are manufacturers in foreign countries that do not share Maine's support of human rights and justice and those manufacturers' employment practices are characterized by poverty wages, forced overtime, child labor, unsafe and unhealthy workplace conditions and often abusive working conditions; and
Whereas, established international standards for ethical manufacturing are routinely violated; and
Whereas, sweatshops have been and continue to be a direct cause of job loss and depressed wages for citizens of Maine, whose employers relocate for cheap labor or threaten plant closings to force lower wages and contract concessions; and
Whereas, Maine can make a significant contribution to the campaigns against sweatshop manufacturing by supporting the enforcement of established ethical codes of corporate conduct; and
Whereas, there exists widespread popular support in Maine for the principle that purchases and investments by the State ought to be made under ethical conditions of production; now, therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Commission to Study Economically and Socially Just Policies for Foreign Investments and Foreign Purchasing by the State established. Resolved: That the Commission to Study Economically and Socially Just Policies for Foreign Investments and Foreign Purchasing by the State, referred to in this resolve as the "commission," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2. Commission membership; appointments. Resolved: That the commission consists of 12 members as follows:
1. Two members from the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom is a member of a political party that does not hold a majority of seats in that body;
2. Two members from the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a member of a political party that does not hold a majority of seats in that body;
3. Two members from groups involved in social investments or human rights issues, one appointed by the President and one appointed by the Speaker;
4. Two representatives of retail business, one appointed by the President and one appointed by the Speaker;
5. One representative of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services, Division of Purchases appointed by the Governor;
6. One member of the public appointed by the Governor;
7. One representative of labor unions appointed by the Governor; and
8. One representative of manufacturing and industry appointed by the Governor.
All appointments must be completed no later than August 18, 2000; and be it further
Sec. 3. First meeting; chairs. Resolved: That the first named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first named House member is the House chair of the commission. When the appointment of all members of the commission is completed, the commission chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission no later than August 31, 2000; and be it further
Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study the subject of economically and socially just policies for foreign investment and foreign purchasing by the State. In examining the issue of economically and socially just policies for foreign investments and foreign purchasing, the commission shall evaluate the policies of other states. In its report, the commission shall propose standards concerning foreign companies that do business with the State and foreign companies invested in by the State. The commission shall consider such factors as child labor and exploitation of workers under unhealthy conditions. The commission shall make recommendations with regard to whether the State should do business with and invest in foreign companies that oppress or mistreat their workers. The commission shall identify the possible positive and negative impacts of proposed policies on Maine workers, Maine small businesses and Maine taxpayers; and be it further
Sec. 5. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further
Sec. 6. Compensation. Resolved: That the members of the commission who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission. Other members of the commission who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission; and be it further
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit its report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the First Regular Session of the 120th Legislature no later than November 15, 2000. If the commission requires a limited extension of time to conclude its work, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further
Sec. 8. Budget. Resolved: That the chair of the commission, with assistance from the commission staff, shall administer the commission's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the commission shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The commission may not incur expenses that would result in the commission exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the commission chair and staff with a status report on the commission's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds; and be it further
Sec. 9. Appropriation. Resolved: That the following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this resolve.
2000-01
LEGISLATURE
Commission to Study Economically and Socially Just Policies for Foreign Investments and Foreign Purchasing by the State
Personal Services $1,320
All Other 3,500
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and expenses for other eligible members of the Commission to Study Economically and Socially Just Policies for Foreign Investments and Foreign Purchasing by the State and to print the required report.
LEGISLATURE ____________
TOTAL $4,820
Effective August 11, 2000, unless otherwise indicated.
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