3 M.R.S. § 156

The appropriate joint standing committee shall hold a prehearing conference for each nominee, unless the committee decides otherwise. If the committee determines that it is necessary to avoid damage to the reputation of the nominee or that there are issues that should be discussed privately, the prehearing conference may go into executive session using the procedures specified in Title 1, section 405 , and only the committee members and the partisan staff assistants may attend. All materials prepared for or reviewed in the conference are not subject to the provisions of Title 1, chapter 13 except as provided in section 159 . The prehearing conference is governed by the Joint Rules of the Legislature and by the committee's rules of procedure, except that a quorum of 7 committee members must be present for votes in the prehearing conference. Votes may not be taken in executive session. [PL 1993, c. 685, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

The committee shall set a public hearing date. [PL 1993, c. 685, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

The committee may ask the partisan staff assistants to prepare additional background information for a public hearing. The chairs shall notify the nominee of all actions taken and decisions made at the prehearing conference. [PL 1993, c. 685, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]