Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §162, sub-§11, as repealed and replaced by PL 1973, c. 590, §4, is amended to read:

11. Legislative equipment and supplies. To provide necessary furniture, stationery and other supplies and equipment for the use of the members, committees, agencies and offices of the Legislature.__Beginning January 2006, the Legislative Council shall provide laptop computers for all Legislators;

Sec. 2. Laptop computers. The Legislative Council shall negotiate for laptop computers consistent with the provisions in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 162, subsection 11 in a similar way as school laptop computers were procured. The laptop computers must include the most current business and word processing software, and wireless Internet and e-mail access. After laptop computers have been provided to all Legislators, the daily calendar, all bills and amendments, committee documents and all memos and announcements must be provided electronically. Savings in printing must be used to fund the purchase of laptop computers. If additional funding is needed, the funds must be generated by savings from reductions made to out-of-state travel for Legislators and other cuts to the budget for the Legislature.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the Legislative Council to contract for laptop computers for all Legislators. The computers will include word processing software, Internet and e-mail access. Savings in printing and, if necessary, out-of-state travel will be used to fund the computer purchase.