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Rep. Everett McLeod Named to National Panels on Energy, Legislative Success

AUGUSTA – State Rep. Everett McLeod has been named to two influential national committees that deal with major energy issues and legislative effectiveness. Both panels are part of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree made the appointments, which take effect immediately.

The NCSL, based in Denver, is a nonpartisan organization. Its committees have no actual legislative authority. Instead, they attempt to educate Congress and federal agencies about state concerns regarding the most pressing issues.

Rep. McLeod (R-Lee) will join the NCSL’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Energy, which has jurisdiction over state and federal agriculture and rural development legislation, natural resources legislation and energy and electric utilities legislation. It has recently addressed such issues as energy security, water allocation dispute resolution and cost-benefit analysis of environmental regulations.

He also will become a member of the Committee on Legislative Effectiveness, which examines strategies, practices and procedures for making legislators, staff and legislatures more successful. The committee focuses on key skills and on operations and powers of state legislatures. The issues include leadership, information technology and ethics.

“I’m honored by these appointments and by the opportunity to represent Maine at the national level,” said Rep. McLeod, a third-term legislator. “These NCSL committees are forums for legislators from all over the country to share approaches and solutions to common problems. Hopefully I’ll be able to learn from the experience of other states. I believe the most imaginative thinking about government is happening at the state level, not in Washington.”

In the Maine Legislature, Rep. McLeod serves on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; hunting; fishing; trapping; and recreational and hunter safety. It also has oversight responsibility for fisheries and wildlife research; fish hatcheries; wardens; licensing; ATVs; snowmobiles; personal watercraft; and white water rafting. In addition, he serves on the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee.

Rep. McLeod said one of the strengths of the NCSL is its firm support for state sovereignty. “At a time of growing federal encroachment on states’ rights, we’re fortunate to have this strong advocate for federalism,” he said.

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