Resolve, To Create a Study Group To Research the Possibility of a Virtual Legislature

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this resolve establishes the Task Force To Study Issues Associated with Implementation of a Virtual Legislature; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; 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. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force To Study Issues Associated with Implementation of a Virtual Legislature, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 13 members appointed as follows:

1. Three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;

2. Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;

3. Two members of the public with technical expertise in the field of networked telecommunications, such as teleconferencing, videoconferencing and web conferencing, used in practical applications such as telemedicine or distance learning, one of whom is appointed by the President of the Senate and one of whom is appointed by the Speaker of the House;

4. Two members of the public appointed by the Governor;

5. The chair of the Right to Know Advisory Committee, or the chair's designee; and

6. The Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. 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 once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall study issues associated with implementation of a virtual Legislature, including but not limited to:

1. Technical procedures to ensure the identity of participating legislative members;

2. Legal ramifications associated with virtual legal presence rather than physical legal presence;

3. Existing laws governing freedom of access; and

4. Methods of ensuring security of the legislative process and the virtual Legislature's website.

In reviewing the issues, the task force shall specifically examine the methods by which other states, including but not limited to Alaska, successfully integrate a virtual aspect into their legislative activities, and shall consider using another state's successful model as a template; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 4, 2013, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve establishes the Task Force To Study Issues Associated with Implementation of a Virtual Legislature.