AUGUSTA – A new commission to weigh the impact of international trade agreements on Maine expects to begin work this month by asking residents how laws such as NAFTA have affected them.

“We’d like to begin conducting statewide meetings as soon as possible,” said Doug Rooks, spokesman for the office of the speaker of the House. “We’re trying to figure out where Maine stands (with respect to trade agreements) … and what does the public think of this.”

The commission was created during the last legislative session after a study assessing the impact of NAFTA on Maine’s economy showed mixed results. During a public hearing on those findings, several groups said they were worried about the loss of sovereignty and jobs in the wake of trade agreements.

Co-chairing the commission is Rumford state Rep. John Patrick and state Sen. Steve Stanley from Medway. Also appointed is Lewiston state Sen. Peggy Rotundo, who sponsored several trade bills in the last session.

“The commission allows us to focus on work started this past session,” said Rotundo. “We’re looking at how to maximize the benefits of international trade while minimizing the negative impacts.”

The commission is charged with developing trade policies and making recommendations to the Legislature, Maine’s congressional delegation and U.S. trade negotiators. It expects to examine the impact trade agreements will have on Maine workers, its environment and regulatory authority.

For instance, last spring Rotundo said she had been unaware that NAFTA created its own judiciary and tribunal for settling disagreements, which has the potential to trump domestic state law.

A Canadian manufacturer of methyl – the “M” in the gas additive MTBE – is suing the state of California for $970 million for banning MTBE. Maine passed a bill last spring to begin phasing out the controversial additive in 2007.

Expected to come under the commission’s microscope are Canadian drug reimportation laws and a host of pending international trade agreements. Last May, at the urging of fair-trade advocates, the state withdrew from four procurement agreements so the agreements could be more closely reviewed. Among them are the Central American Common Market, the South African Customs Union and the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Matt Schlobohm, an organizer with the Maine Fair Trade Campaign in Lewiston, helped initiate the bill that formed the commission. He said creating the commission is “ground breaking” in that Maine is taking an active role in investigating trade agreements and questioning federal rule-making.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for Maine,” he said. “This is a chance for us to be effective communicators on trade issues and help shape policy.”

The commission, dubbed the Citizen’s Trade Policy Commission last spring, was approved with 17 members. Five administrative liaison positions were added to the commission this summer, bringing the total membership to 22. The full roster of appointments is expected to be announced next week.