JOINT STUDY ORDER ESTABLISHING THE COMMITTEE TO STUDY ISSUES CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE TRADITIONAL USES OF MAINE FORESTS AND LANDS
WHEREAS, individuals from out of state have recently purchased large tracts of land in the State, including a recent purchase of over 20,000 acres of land in the unorganized territory around Moosehead Lake, known as the Township of East Middlesex; and
WHEREAS, there is a long, historic, traditional relationship between landowners and holders of recreational and seasonal leases of camp lots; and
WHEREAS, there is a long history and tradition of public access along private roads, recreation trails and rights-of-way to great ponds; and
WHEREAS, one landowner is now terminating and restricting the existing leases on that individual's land and may close off all public access to the land; and
WHEREAS, such a shift in the traditional relationship between a person leasing a camp lot in the woodlands and wildlands of the State and the landowner may have a negative economic impact on the State; and
WHEREAS, this joint order establishes the Committee to Study Issues Concerning Changes to the Traditional Uses of Maine Forests and Lands, which is charged with the duties of assessing the economic and societal impact of the elimination and restriction of camp lot lease arrangements in the State and of developing a plan to address this problem; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature would benefit from a study of these issues; now, therefore, be it
ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Committee to Study Issues Concerning Changes to the Traditional Uses of Maine Forests and Lands is established as follows.
1. Committee established. The Committee to Study Issues Concerning Changes to the Traditional Uses of Maine Forests and Lands, referred to in this order as the "committee," is established.
2. Committee membership. The committee consists of 7 members appointed as follows:
A. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall give preference to members representing the unorganized territories in the State and members who serve on the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government or the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources;
B. Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, who shall give preference to members representing the unorganized territories in the State and members who serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation or the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary;
C. The Commissioner of Conservation or the commissioner's designee is invited to participate as a member of the committee; and
D. The Governor is invited to appoint one representative from the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission.
3. Chairs. The first named Senate member is the Senate chair of the committee and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the committee.
4. Appointments; meetings. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the passage of this order. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified by the appointing authorities once the appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the committee shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee no later than August 15, 2001.
5. Duties. The committee shall study the economic and societal impact of the termination of camp lot lease arrangements and of the public enjoyment of state lands, including the lands of the unorganized territory, and develop a plan to preserve the traditional camp lot lease arrangements in and public enjoyment of state lands.
A. In conducting the study, the committee shall examine and report on the following issues:
(1) The history of and recent changes to camp lot lease arrangements in state lands, including those of the unorganized territory;
(2) Efforts to help promote the State's working forests;
(3) The economic impact of the termination of camp lot leases and of the closing of public access;
(4) The economic impact of the real estate transfer tax program and the maintenance of land for tree growth;
(5) Issues of colonial law and any other legal implications arising in this context;
(6) The traditional camp lot lease arrangements in the state lands purchased by private individuals; and
(7) The impact on individuals whose camp lot leases are terminated.
The plan must, to the extent possible, build upon current efforts and must include an estimate of the costs associated with implementing it.
6. Staff assistance. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee.
7. Compensation. Members of the committee 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 committee. Other members of the committee 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.
8. Report. The committee shall submit its report, including the plan required by subsection 5 of this order, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature no later than November 1, 2001. 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.
9. Budget. The chairs of the committee, with assistance from the committee staff, shall administer the committee's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the committee shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The committee may not incur expenses that would result in the committee's exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the committee, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the committee chairs and staff with a status report on the committee's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.
Passed by the House of Representatives June 21, 2001 and the Senate June 21, 2001.
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