‘Resolve, To Study the Creation of a People's Veto Process for Actions of County Commissioners’

‘Sec. 1. Study of people's veto process for actions of county commissioners. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall convene a working group to study the creation of a people's veto process for actions of county commissioners taking into account the following: the effects of a people's veto on county budget and finance committees at various times of the year; the effects of the costs of elections on municipal budgets; concerns that a small minority could require a countywide vote; concerns that a small budget item or action by commissioners could require a countywide vote; the application of a people's veto to counties with charters; and the effect of a people's veto on the unorganized territory's budget. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall invite the participation of the following:

1. A representative from the Maine County Commissioners Association;

2. A representative from the Maine Municipal Association;

3. A representative who is a county manager or county administrator;

4. The fiscal administrator of the unorganized territory;

5. A representative from a county budget or finance committee in a county where the county commissioners do not put forth the budget; and

6. A representative from a county budget or finance committee in a county where the county commissioners do put forth the budget.

Following the convening of the working group the members shall select a chair from among themselves; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That, no later than January 15, 2014, the working group shall submit a report based on the study in subsection 1 that includes findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government. The joint standing committee may report out a bill based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.’