Sec. 5. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further

Sec. 6. Compensation. Resolved: That the members of the commission 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 for their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission. Other members of the commission who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized meetings; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit its report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature no later than December 5, 2001. If the commission requires a limited extension of time to conclude its work, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further

Sec. 8. Budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the commission, with assistance from the commission staff, shall administer the commission's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the commission shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The commission may not incur expenses that would result in the commission exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on the commission's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

SUMMARY

This resolve creates a 14-member commission to study the establishment of the Department of Environmental Protection as the lead response agency in all emergency releases and spills of toxic or hazardous materials into the environment. In conducting the study, the commission is required to study the manner in which state, county and municipal governments respond to unplanned or emergency releases and spills of toxic or hazardous materials into the environment and to recommend any changes to laws, rules, ordinances or procedures that must be made in order to clearly establish the Department of Environmental Protection as the lead response agency in all geographic areas of the state for all such releases. The commission's report must also include recommendations for any improvements to communications systems, equipment or training at the state, local or county level necessary to establish the department as the lead response agency for such releases.

The commission is required to submit a final report along with any recommended legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature no later than December 5, 2001.