CHAPTER 50
H.P. 1490 - L.D. 1993
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the Washington County Emergency Medical Services Authority
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Washington County Emergency Medical Services Authority has been established to provide emergency medical services to the communities of Washington County that were without an emergency medical services provider last year; and
Whereas, the Legislature has created the quasi-municipal authority to secure emergency medical services for Washington County; and
Whereas, other communities located in the Washington County region have requested the authority to provide their emergency medical services as well; and
Whereas, other modifications to the laws governing the authority are necessary for its continued successful operation; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. P&SL 2001, c. 1, §1 is amended to read:
Sec. 1. Establishment. The Washington County Emergency Medical Services Authority, referred to in this Act as "the authority," is established to facilitate the provision of emergency medical services to the citizens of Washington County. The authority also may provide emergency medical services upon request and by contract to municipalities located in the southern Aroostook County region, the northern Penobscot County region and the Province of New Brunswick.
Sec. 2. P&SL 2001, c. 1, §2, sub-§2, ¶¶O and P are amended to read:
O. Danforth, selected by its selectmen; and
P. Baring, selected by its assessors.; and
Sec. 3. P&SL 2001, c. 1, §2, sub-§2, ¶Q is enacted to read:
Q. One member from the Passamaquoddy Tribe, selected by the Joint Tribal Council of the Passamaquoddy Tribe.
Sec. 4. P&SL 2001, c. 1, §2, last ¶ is amended to read:
The members of the board are appointed for terms of one year and may be reappointed at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The appointing authority may also appoint an alternate who may vote in the absence of the appointed member from that constituency. If the appointing authority fails to appoint a member within 60 days of a vacancy, then the seat may be declared vacant by the chair of the authority and the vacant seat may not be counted toward a quorum. In the event that any community that has appointment authority has not paid its per capita stipend as determined by regular vote of the board, that community's representative or alternate may not vote on any matter relating to the finances of the authority.
Sec. 5. P&SL 2001, c. 1, §3, sub-§§5 and 6 are amended to read:
5. Accept funds, grants and services from federal, state, county and municipal governments or any agency thereof, gifts and stipends from its member towns, private gifts from individuals and entities and stipends and subsidies from Canadian governments for the provision of services to Campobello Island and the Province of New Brunswick; and
6. Apply for and accept loans and allocate and disburse funds received to carry out the purposes of the authority.
Debts of the authority authorized under this Act do not constitute or create any debt or liability on behalf of the State. Debts incurred under this Act do not directly, indirectly or contingently obligate the State to levy or to pledge any form of taxation or to make any appropriation for their payment. This subsection may not be construed to prevent the authority from pledging its full faith and credit to the payment of loans or other debts authorized pursuant to this Act.; and
Sec. 6. P&SL 2001, c. 1, §3, sub-§7 is enacted to read:
7. Implement an intercounty subscription membership program with cities, towns and unorganized territories in counties near Washington County.
Sec. 7. P&SL 2001, c. 1, §4, sub-§5 is amended to read:
5. Set and adjust an approved cost-basis schedule that is uniform throughout the county service area. The cost-basis schedule may reflect either a surcharge or a discount based on whether a particular community pays a subsidy, as long as all such surcharges or discounts are based on cost of service and are uniform for each class of community.
Sec. 8. P&SL 2001, c. 1, §5, sub-§1 is amended to read:
1. The board shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and secretary and treasurer from among its members, including alternate members. The board shall also elect a treasurer. The treasurer is not required to be a member or alternate member of the board.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective February 28, 2002.
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