By Francis X. Quinn,Associated Press Writer

AUGUSTA – A study of the operations of the Maine Legislature by a national organization recommends more hands-on training for House and Senate members.

A team from the National Conference of State Legislatures also recommends that one way to save time and money would be to curtail a rank-and-file favorite – formal expressions of congratulations or sympathy known as legislative sentiments.

“Maine legislators need more training on institutional and policy topics and skills due to the effects of term limits and the increasing complexity of state issues,” declares the NCSL team’s examination of practices, procedures and organization.

In addition to making training for all lawmakers “more interactive and practically focused,” the study proposes changes in the way committee chairmen and leaders are trained “to emphasize best practices in building consensus; strategic planning (and) time management; and working with leaders, colleagues, staff and the media.”

Other areas covered by the NCSL study group, which is to make a presentation to the 10-member Legislative Council next month, ranged from legislative budget issues and the role of House and Senate leaders to information technology.

One plainly stated finding: “The Maine Legislature spends too much time and too many resources on legislative sentiments.”

The NCSL team noted that sentiments or resolutions issued by Maine lawmakers can address subjects from anniversaries to sports victories and suggests that legislatures around the nation are finding such expressions, however much merited, prohibitively expensive.

“The Maine Legislature should use a legislative citation or certificate – which does not requires drafting, introduction, committee hearing, floor debate or vote – as the main instrument for expressing commendation, condolences, appreciation or congratulations,” the study group recommended.

In a recent memo to legislative employees, House Speaker John Richardson and Senate President Beth Edmonds said the purpose of the NCSL study was to “assess our major operations and identify potential areas for improvement.”

The two presiding officers, who head the Legislative Council, said the study group recommendations are just now being reviewed and reflect a general finding that “the Maine Legislature provides excellent service to the state’s citizens” and that “Maine’s legislative staff perform top notch work for the Legislature.”

Acknowledging some calls for improvement, Richardson, D-Brunswick, and Edmonds, D-Freeport, added:

“Periodic self-assessment and openness to changes are indications of a healthy organization, and can serve to strengthen it. As you read the report, we ask that you keep an open mind to NCSL’s suggestions, even those that are a major departure from our current way of operating.”

The study proposes shifting the Law and Legislative Reference Library, which is included in the Legislature’s budget, to within the organizational structure of the Maine State Library.

It also calls for creation of a nonpartisan Constituent Services Unit to replace the current caucus-based system for responding to constituent requests for help with government services, with offsetting reductions within the partisan staff offices.

“A dedicated, nonpartisan, professional staff can do this better than one that has other, competing responsibilities and high turnover,” the report said.

In part a clearinghouse for issues arising in the nation’s state capitals, the NCSL is governed by a 60-member executive committee made up of legislators and legislative staff members who are elected annually.

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