AUGUSTA, Maine — Rep. Roland “Danny” Martin, D-Sinclair, introduced legislation Feb. 15 urging government officials to appear before legislative committees upon request.
In presenting LD 152 before the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee, Martin expressed his frustration in receiving vital information from Maine’s executive branch under Gov. Paul LePage’s administration.
“The absence of executive officials including agency heads during public hearings is an issue that often impedes our work,” said Martin. “We need their input to make well-informed decisions on bills that will impact the entire state of Maine. I have served with four administrations and this is the only one I’ve seen that arbitrarily refuses to send a representative to provide input or respond to basic questions.”
If enacted, the legislation would require the commissioner or director of a state agency to appear before any legislative joint standing committee, study commission or work group upon request. The officials would actively participate in the public hearings and work sessions to provide additional information and answer committee questions.
Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, presented a similar bill last year, which failed to pass in the Maine Senate. Rep. Martin’s bill, LD 152, will face future votes in committee.
