Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of the following 15 members:

1. Three members from the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;

2. Three members from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee;

4. The President of the Maine Technical College System or the president's designee;

5. The Chancellor of the University of Maine system or the chancellor's designee;

6. The President of the Maine Maritime Academy or the president's designee;

7. A representative of a foundation dedicated to student achievement and higher education, appointed by the Governor;

8. One member representing private sector higher education, appointed by the Governor;

9. One member representing the interest of providers of college loans or scholarships, appointed by the Governor;

10. One representative of a statewide business organization, appointed by the Governor; and

11. One representative of a statewide labor organization, appointed by the Governor; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first named Senate member is the Senate chair of the commission and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the commission; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; meetings. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified by all appointing

authorities once the selections have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the commission shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission within 30 days of being notified that all appointments have been made; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study the impact of improving postsecondary educational attainment on the State's economy, assess the success of current efforts to improve educational attainment and develop a plan to improve the State's levels of associate's degree and bachelor's degree attainment.

1. In conducting its study, the commission shall:

A. Review current data and research on levels of educational attainment among the New England states and nationally;

B. Assess the economic impact of the State's current levels of educational attainment and the benefits likely to accrue from raising that level;

C. Assess the role of educational attainment in providing an economic climate that allows the State's young adults to find employment at competitive wages here in the State; and

D. assess the current success of the State's higher educational institutions in preparing students for the challenges of the modern economy.

2. The commission shall develop a plan to:

A. Encourage more high school graduates in the State to enroll in postsecondary educational programs;

B. Assist adults in the State in pursuing and attaining higher degrees;

C. Attain a state educational achievement level, defined as a percentage of adults over the age of 25 years with at least a bachelor's degree, that is equal to the New England average; and

D. Build an educational system that will provide the best possible return to students in the State and the State's economy by preparing students for the modern economy.

The plan must, to the extent possible, build upon current efforts and must include an estimate of the costs associated with implementing it; and be it further

Sec. 6. 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. 7. 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 incurred 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 incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit its report, including the plan required by section 5, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature no later than February 1, 2002. 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. 9. 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's exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on the commission's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve creates the Blue Ribbon Commission on Postsecondary Educational Attainment.