Whereas, the timely payment of Medicare and Medicaid benefits is vital to the well-being of Maine residents who depend on such benefits; and

Whereas, continued delivery of Medicare and Medicaid benefits is dependent upon the ability of the Federal Government and State Government to make necessary information system modifications before the end of the year 1999; and

Whereas, the federal and state governments did not meet an October 1, 1998 deadline to make the necessary information system modifications regarding Medicare and Medicaid benefits and postponed the deadline to January 1, 1999; and

Whereas, the federal and state governments did not meet a January 1, 1999 deadline to make the necessary information system modifications regarding Medicare and Medicaid benefits and postponed the deadline to April 1, 1999; and

Whereas, the Director of the Bureau of Information Services, within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, has been directed by the Legislature to submit detailed status reports on the progress of State Government toward the resolution of "Year 2000" information system problems; 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

Sec. 1. The Department of Human Services directed to report to the Legislature. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Human Services is directed to report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over state and local government matters. The report must describe the department's progress toward successfully addressing the Year 2000 information system problems, particularly for problems related to the continued timely delivery of Medicare and Medicaid payments to Maine citizens; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report dates. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Human Services shall report to the Legislature as required by section 1 on June 30, 1999, September 30, 1999, October 31, 1999 and on November 30, 1999, and weekly on every Tuesday thereafter. The commissioner is not required to report to the