Whereas, this resolve creates the Maine Networked Services Task Force; and

Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; 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. Task force established. Resolved: That the Maine Networked Services Task Force, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established to conduct a study of the electric transmission and distribution industry, the telecommunications industry and the cable television industry in the State in order to assess the degree to which these industries are meeting the access, reliability, security and quality of service requirements that the users require; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 19 members appointed as follows:

1. Two members appointed by the President of the Senate, who must be members of the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy;

2. Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House, who must be members of the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy;

3. Eleven members appointed by the Governor as follows:

A. One member representing investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities;

B. One member representing investor-owned telecommunications utilities;

C. One member representing cable television companies or their affiliates doing business in Maine;