Sec. SSS-1. Committee created; charged. The Education Funding Reform Committee, referred to in this Part as the "committee," is established to develop a comprehensive package of tax reform legislation to update and equalize the method of raising money for education including finding ways to reduce the State's reliance on property taxes for elementary and secondary schools. The committee shall investigate sources of revenue to fund elementary and secondary school education and may not investigate the existing distribution formula or the development of the essential programs and services funding model.
Sec. SSS-2. Commission membership; chairs. The committee consists of 14 Legislators appointed as follows:
1. Four members of the Senate, 2 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation, one of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and one of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, appointed by the President of the Senate. In making the appointments, the President of the Senate shall provide representation from geographically diverse regions of the State and shall appoint not more than 2 members from the same political party. The first named Senator is the Senate chair of the committee; and
2. Ten members of the House of Representatives, 6 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation, 2 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and 2 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In making the appointments the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall provide representation from geographically diverse regions of the State and shall appoint not more than 5 members from the same political party. The first named member of the House is the House chair of the committee.
All appointments must be made not later than 30 days following the effective date of this Act. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. When appointment of all members is completed, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee, which must be held not later than 15 days after all members have been appointed.
Sec. SSS-3. Duties. In developing its recommendations the committee shall study alternate sources of revenue for elementary and secondary education that meet the following criteria:
1. Provide more state money for education and consequently ensure equal educational opportunities for all students of the State;
2. Provide property tax relief for home owners, farmers and businesses to encourage new businesses to locate to the State and new businesses to expand and to entice more people to live in the State; and
3. Balance the primary methods of raising taxes between the property tax, sales tax and personal income tax.
Sec. SSS-4. Committee report; extension. The committee shall present its report and any necessary implementing legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature by December 31, 2001. The Legislature may adopt or reject the committee's recommendations or submit the committee's recommendations to the voters at a public referendum at the time of the general election in November 2002. If the committee requires a limited extension of time to conclude its work, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension.
Sec. SSS-5. Staff assistance. The Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee. In addition, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services and the Department of Education shall provide such information and assistance to the committee as requested by the chairs.
Sec. SSS-6. Compensation. Legislative members of the committee are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, for each day of attendance at committee meetings and reimbursement for expenses upon application to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council.
Sec. SSS-7. 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 to the Legislative Council for approval. The committee may not incur expenses that would result in the committee's exceeding its approved budget.
Sec. SSS-8. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Part.
2001-02
LEGISLATURE
Education Funding Reform Committee
Personal Services $7,700
All Other 14,300
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of members of the Education Funding Reform Committee, to conduct public hearings, for technical assistance and for printing and other miscellaneous costs.
LEGISLATURE ____________
TOTAL $22,000
| Revisor of Statutes Homepage | Subject Index | Search | Laws of Maine | Maine Legislature |
