Whereas, the United States Senate has not ratified the conventions of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or the subsequent Kyoto Protocols on greenhouse gas emissions; and

Whereas, State Government agencies have participated in a task force on global climate change, which has recommended adherence to international goals for greenhouse gas emissions as set forth by the United Nations climate change conventions; and

Whereas, more than 17,000 scientists, two-thirds of whom have advanced degrees in physical sciences, have signed a petition asserting that "there is no convincing scientific evidence" that greenhouse gases are causing global warming; and

Whereas, unilateral implementation of greenhouse gas emission controls by either the federal or state governments would not significantly reduce greenhouse gases as long as the 136 developing nations are exempt from the Kyoto Protocols; and

Whereas, establishment of state policy based on unratified international treaties, such as those proposed for climate change and biological diversity, threatens the long-term economic health of many Maine industries; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Task Force to Investigate the Effect of Implementation by State Agencies of Unratified International Treaties, referred to in this resolve as the "task force," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 16 members appointed as follows:

1. One Democratic member of the State Senate appointed by the Senate President;

2. One Republican member of the State Senate appointed by the Senate Republican leader;

3. Two Democratic members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

4. Two Republican members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Republican floor leader;