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Resolve, To Establish the Blue Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  a 2009 study of the Maine housing market by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Real Estate concluded 86,000 Maine households, including 34,000 elderly households, have severe housing affordability problems; and
Whereas,  in 2009 the United States Census Bureau named Maine the State with the oldest population, which creates a disparity between the State's housing needs and supply, leaving the elderly to try to maintain housing larger than they need and can afford; and
Whereas,  Maine's housing organizations have waiting lists that are often double or more the number of units they manage, meaning today's applicants must wait years for an apartment; and
Whereas,  a 2010 survey found that there are 12,221 Section 8 housing choice vouchers authorized for use by housing agencies in Maine, yet another 12,795 households remain on waiting lists and almost half of those lists are closed to new applicants; and
Whereas,  lack of affordable housing forces 750 to 800 Maine people to emergency homeless shelters each night, with over 7,000 individuals using shelters each year; and
Whereas,  this legislation establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing, which is charged with the duty of reviewing the current status of housing in Maine, including its affordability, energy efficiency and impact on the economy; identifying regulatory barriers to affordable housing; and making recommendations to make the most efficient use of available resources supporting affordable housing; and
Whereas,  in order for the appointing authorities to make their appointments and for the commission to have sufficient time to conclude its work, it is necessary for this legislation to 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
Sec. 1 Commission established. Resolved: That the Blue Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2 Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of the following 16 members appointed as follows:
1. Two members from the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate. In making these appointments, the President shall give preference to a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development;
2. Two members from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In making these appointments, the Speaker shall give preference to a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development;
3. The Executive Director of the Maine State Housing Authority or the executive director's designee;
4. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the commissioner's designee;
5. One representative of a statewide group dedicated to providing affordable housing, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
6. One representative of a statewide nonprofit group advocating on behalf of seniors, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
7. One representative of an organization practicing conservation planning, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
8. One representative of a statewide real estate organization, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
9. One representative of a developer of affordable housing, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
10. One representative of a statewide construction organization, appointed by the President of the Senate;
11. One representative who is an advocate for low-income persons, appointed by the President of the Senate;
12. One representative of a company producing modular housing, appointed by the President of the Senate;
13. One representative of a statewide supportive housing developer, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
14. One representative of a provider of services to the homeless, appointed by the President of the Senate.
 
The commission shall invite the state director of the Maine office of the United States Department of Agriculture or the director's designee to participate; 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; convening of commission. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct its business; and be it further
Sec. 5 Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall conduct a study of affordable housing policy in this State, review the status of housing in the State and develop a plan to maximize the investment of available resources and best meet the housing needs of the people of this State.
1. In conducting its study, the commission shall:
A. Review current data and research on affordable housing among the New England states and nationally;
B. Assess the economic impact of affordable housing in this State;
C. Review innovative affordable housing programs in other states; and
D. Identify regulatory barriers to affordable housing.
2. The commission shall make recommendations to:
A. Make the most effective use of state and federal resources, including leveraging private investment;
B. Make the most effective use of the Housing Opportunities for Maine Program as established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 4852 to provide access to housing that is decent, safe and sound;
C. Improve the economy through a measurable increase in construction of affordable housing;
D. Address the housing needs of Maine's elderly;
E. Address the severe affordable housing shortage that leaves thousands homeless each year;
F. Preserve existing affordable housing, including preserving access to energy efficiency programs; and
G. Reduce emergency service expenditures by state and local government by creating permanent supportive housing for the homeless.
 
The recommendations must, to the fullest extent possible, build upon current efforts and include an estimate of the costs associated with implementing them; and be it further
Sec. 6 Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, and 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 recommendations required by section 5, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature no later than January 17, 2012. The report must be presented to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, which may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing. The commission is directed to conduct a study of affordable housing policy, review the status of housing and make recommendations to maximize the investment of available resources and best meet the housing needs of the people of this State. The commission is required to submit a report for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development.