Whereas, it is critical that state policymakers receive input from the youth of this State in order to make informed and consistent decisions regarding issues that affect youth and, ultimately, all of the citizens of the State; and

Whereas, this legislation establishes the Legislative Youth Advisory Council to provide such input and requires the council to conduct a seminar every year in August to which the Legislature is invited; and

Whereas, in order to ensure that appointments are made in sufficient time for the council members to prepare for the annual seminar in August 2001, this legislation must take effect immediately; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §168-A is enacted to read:

§168-A.__Legislative Youth Advisory Council

There is established the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, referred to in this section as the "council."

1.__Duties.__The council shall perform the following duties:

A.__Advise the Legislature, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on proposed and pending legislation, state budget expenditures and policy matters related to youth;

B.__Advise the joint standing committees of the Legislature and study commissions, committees and task forces regarding issues related to youth;

C.__Conduct an annual seminar each August for its members regarding leadership, government and the Legislature, to which Legislators must be invited;

D.__Meet at least 6 times per year and conduct 2 public hearings per year on issues of importance to youth; and