If the participating county commissioners and secession and annexation committee do not select a mutually agreed upon and qualified mediator within 30 days of the advisory referendum or referenda, the county commissioners and the secession and annexation committee or any combination of them may petition the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Service, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 4, section 18-B, for mediation services. The Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Service shall:

1. Assign a mediator who is knowledgeable in county and municipal management and law;

2. Establish a fee for services in an amount not to exceed $175 for every 4 hours of mediation services provided;

3. Establish the mediation schedule, ensure that proper notice is provided to all parties and ensure that the parties necessary for effective mediation are given the opportunity to participate; and

4. Upon the completion of the mediation effort, file a written report with the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over state and local government matters. The report must provide the details of the mediation effort and the terms of any proposed secession and annexation agreement approved by a majority of those participating in the mediation. In the event that the mediation effort does not result in the resolution of all issues, the mediation report must indicate to the extent possible the terms of any proposed secession and annexation agreement approved by a majority of those participating in the mediation, what issues remain unresolved and why the parties failed to reach a mutually agreeable resolution of the dispute.

Sec. 6. Submission of dispute to Legislature. If the secession and annexation committee and the county commissioners have not reached agreement on all issues by February 16, 2006, the matter must be submitted to the Legislature. The Legislature may consider the information required pursuant to section 7 in making its decision.

Sec. 7. Information to be submitted to Legislature. The secession and annexation committee may provide the Legislature with draft legislation proposing secession and annexation. If the secession and annexation committee chooses to provide the Legislature with proposed legislation, the proposed legislation