Resolve, Approving the 2013 Draft and Arrangement of the Constitution of Maine Made by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court and Providing for Its Publication and Distribution

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the 2013 recodification of the Constitution of Maine has been completed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court and submitted to the Legislature; and

Whereas,  the recodification must be made available to the public as soon as possible and before the expiration of the 90-day period; 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. Constitution; approval of 2013 draft and arrangement, enrollment, distribution. Resolved: That the draft and arrangement of the Constitution of Maine, as amended, made by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article X, Section 6, is approved and that the same be enrolled on parchment or other suitable material and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State; and be it further

Sec. 2. Enrollment on durable material. Resolved: That the Secretary of State is authorized and directed to cause the Constitution of Maine, as amended and arranged, to be enrolled on parchment or other suitable material and upon final approval of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to attest to the correctness of that enrollment under the seal of the State; and be it further

Sec. 3. Publication. Resolved: That the Secretary of State is authorized and directed to cause to be published in pamphlet form, subject to the approval of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, copies of the Constitution of Maine in such numbers as the Secretary of State determines necessary and that one copy of the pamphlet be forwarded to the municipal officers of each city and town and to the assessors of each plantation within the State.

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

SUMMARY

Passage of this resolve by the Legislature constitutes approval of the Constitution of Maine as arranged by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article X, Section 6. The text of the Constitution of Maine as recodified by the Chief Justice is appended to this summary as Appendix "A."