The State Claims Commission, established by Title 5, section 12004-B, subsection 5, consists of 5 members. Four of the members must be appointed by the Governor, 2 of whom must have been qualified appraisers certified as general real estate appraisers pursuant to Title 32, chapter 124 within the 5 years prior to the date of appointment and 2 of whom must be attorneys-at-law. The Governor shall designate one of the attorneys-at-law to be chair. The members of the commission appointed by the Governor shall serve for terms of 4 years. They must be sworn, and for inefficiency, willful neglect of duty or for malfeasance in office may, after notice and hearing, be removed by the Governor on the address of both branches of the Legislature or by impeachment. In case of a vacancy occurring through death, resignation or removal, the Governor shall appoint a successor for the whole term of the member whose place that successor takes, subject to removal as provided in this section. [PL 2023, c. 54, §1 (AMD).] Members of the State Claims Commission must be compensated according to the provisions of Title 5, chapter 379. The daily rate for commission members is $150. [PL 1995, c. 438, §2 (AMD).] In carrying out its duties, the commission shall not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence, or by technical or formal rules of procedure. It shall admit all testimony having reasonable probative value, but shall exclude immaterial, irrelevant and unduly repetitious testimony. A majority of the commission, being present, may determine all matters, but the chairman shall resolve all questions of admissibility. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §92 (RPR).] The commission shall have authority to make rules and prescribe forms to secure a speedy, efficient and inexpensive disposition of all proceedings. Each member of the commission, for its official purposes, may administer oaths, certify to official acts and issue all process necessary to the performance of the duties of the commission. A reporter shall record hearings when required by the commission. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §92 (RPR).] The commission must maintain an office in Kennebec County. The Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services shall appoint, subject to the Civil Service Law, a clerk of the commission to keep its records and to perform such other duties as the commission prescribes. The clerk has authority to certify to all official acts of the commission, administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and issue all processes, notices, orders or other documents necessary to the performance of the duties of the commission. [PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. Y, §119 (AMD).] The Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services shall appoint and fix the compensation of a reporter to the commission, and shall review and approve all charges made by such reporter for transcripts of the record of hearings before the commission. The commissioner may appoint, subject to the Civil Service Law, such clerical assistants for the commissioner as the commissioner considers necessary. [PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. Y, §120 (AMD).] The 5th member of the commission shall be appointed for each hearing or series of hearings within the county where the land taken lies. He shall be a member of the board of county commissioners of the county wherein the land taken is situated and shall be appointed by the chairman of the State Claims Commission upon recommendation which shall be made, upon request, by the board of county commissioners of that particular county. In the event that any board of county commissioners should fail to make the required recommendation, then the chairman of the State Claims Commission may appoint a member of such board to serve. He shall be sworn by the chairman of the State Claims Commission and shall serve as a member of that commission only for the particular hearing or hearings for which he is appointed. He shall participate fully in such hearings and the awards made as a result thereof. Each such member shall be paid at the same per diem rate as that fixed for other members of the commission. Any member of the board of county commissioners thus designated shall serve only for the particular hearing or hearings set forth in his appointment and such service shall be as a member of the State Claims Commission and not in his capacity as a member of the board of county commissioners. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §92 (RPR).]
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