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An Act To Improve the Workplace for State Employees
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  Public Law 2003, chapter 20, Part U directs all state agencies to implement measures to reduce energy consumption; and
Whereas,  implementation of Public Law 2003, chapter 20, Part U has caused some difficult working conditions; and
Whereas,  immediate enactment of this legislation is necessary to ensure that the working conditions are made better for employees; 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.  PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. U, §1  is amended to read:
Sec. U-1. Energy savings required. All state agencies are directed to implement measures to reduce energy consumption within their agencies. Conservation measures to be initiated must include regulating temperatures within offices to 68 degrees during the heating season and 75 degrees during the cooling season and allowing the manager or supervisor to regulate the thermostat to ensure that the entire work area of the office reaches the required temperature, use of lower wattage lighting or fewer lights wherever possible without affecting basic operation or safety and shutting off computers and other electronic equipment when not in use. Ceramic space heaters may be used to bring the temperature in a workstation to the required temperature. Vehicle use must be reduced to the minimum amount necessary to carry out the agency mission. Each agency shall train its staff to make necessary changes to meet this mandate and to identify other opportunities for energy savings within the workplace. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services shall provide agencies with additional actions that can be taken to reduce energy usage.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends Public Law 2003, chapter 20, Part U, which directs all state agencies to implement measures to reduce energy consumption, to allow a manager or supervisor to regulate the thermostat to ensure that an entire work area reaches the required temperature and to allow the use of ceramic space heaters.