Maine Innkeepers Association
Howe, Cahill & Company's Legislative Report
Report sorted by Priority. Updated 6/9/09 9:50:38 AM.
View report by Committee (http://howeandcompany.com/legisweb/1205/committee.htm).
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(c) 2009 Howe, Cahill & Company, may not be reproduced without written permission.
Priority Legislation
LD 430: An Act To Allow the Licensing of Minibars in Hotel Rooms Web Link to LD 430
| Description: | Under this bill, a hotel owner that has or wants minibars in hotel rooms may, but is not required to, obtain a license for the minibars. |
| Position: | | Status: | Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative TUTTLE of Sanford | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAULIEU of Auburn
Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
Representative RUSSELL of Portland
Senator SULLIVAN of York
Representative TRINWARD of Waterville |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Feb 23, 2009, 1100AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 18, 2009, 1000AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 446: An Act To Protect Consumers from Credit Card and Debit Card Holds Web Link to LD 446
| Description: | This bill prohibits a merchant from placing a hold on the credit or funds available to a consumer using a credit card or debit card in excess of the actual transaction amount unless the merchant reduces the hold to the actual transaction amount within one hour of the completion of the sale. A fine of $250 for the first violation and $1,000 for subsequent violations is provided. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford | Cosponsors: | Representative BOLAND of Sanford
Senator BOWMAN of York
Representative CASAVANT of Biddeford
Representative CELLI of Brewer
Representative GOODE of Bangor
Representative MORRISON of South Portland
Representative TREAT of Hallowell
Representative TUTTLE of Sanford
Representative WAGNER of Lewiston |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Feb 23, 2009, 0130PM Room 427 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 10, 2009, 0100PM Room 427 State House |
LD 758: An Act To Allow Municipalities and Counties To Require Bartender Training for Liquor Licensees Web Link to LD 758
| Description: | This bill provides that the Department of Public Safety, bureau of liquor licensing and enforcement may consider whether or not an establishment provides server training as required by municipal officers or county commissioners when issuing or renewing a license for an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages to be consumed on the premises. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 81 |
| Sponsor: | Representative HARLOW of Portland | Cosponsors: | Representative ADAMS of Portland
Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative LOVEJOY of Portland
Representative PETERSON of Rumford |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Mar 16, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 18, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 916: An Act Regarding Trans Fat Web Link to LD 916
| Description: | This bill defines "food containing artificial trans fat" and prohibits the storage, distribution or use of these foods in an eating establishment. It requires the owner or manager of an eating establishment to maintain labels or provide documentation to facilitate enforcement of the prohibition. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative WEBSTER of Freeport | Cosponsors: | Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland
Representative CAIN of Orono
Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield
Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk
Representative MILLER of Somerville
Senator MILLS of Somerset
Representative PERRY of Calais
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Mar 30, 2009, 0900AM, Room 209 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 1, 2009, 0900AM, Room 209 Cross Office Building |
LD 971: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Liquor Liability and Licensing Web Link to LD 971
| Description: | This bill amends the laws governing liquor liability and licensing.
1. It requires that a licensee that holds a license for the sale of liquor to be consumed on the premises where sold to maintain liability insurance of no less than $400,000;
2. It repeals the limitation on awards for damages under the Maine Liquor Liability Act;
3. It repeals the written notice requirement to defendants under the Maine Liquor Liability Act; and
4. It extends from 2 to 6 years the statute of limitations for bringing an action under the Maine Liquor Liability Act. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 247 |
| Sponsor: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham | Cosponsors: | Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative DILL of Cape Elizabeth
Representative HINCK of Portland
Representative STUCKEY of Portland
Representative TRINWARD of Waterville
Representative WATSON of Bath |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Apr 13, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | May 11, 2009, 1000AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 1068: An Act To Extend the Summer Tourism Season and Thereby Increase Sales Tax Revenues by Requiring that the School Year in Maine Begin After Labor Day Web Link to LD 1068
| Description: | The purpose of this bill is to extend the summer tourism season, and thus increase sales tax revenues, by requiring that the school year in Maine begin after Labor Day. This bill requires that the school year for Maine public schools and the fall semester for state universities and colleges not begin until after Labor Day of each year. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAULIEU of Auburn
Representative CAIN of Orono
Representative PINKHAM of Lexington Township
Representative TUTTLE of Sanford |
| Committee: | E&CA | Hearing: | Apr 7, 2009, 0100PM Cross Building Room 202 |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 16, 2009, 0230PM Cross Building Room 202 |
LD 1088: An Act To Modernize the Tax Laws and Provide over $75,000,000 to Residents of the State in Tax Relief Web Link to LD 1088
| Description: | This bill reforms the State's tax structure and reduces the burden of taxes on residents of the State. The bill contains the following provisions.
Part A makes fundamental changes to simplify and reduce the burden of the State's income tax and create an income tax that is intended to be more beneficial to investment and economic growth in the State. The current structure of 4 tax brackets, personal exemptions and deductions is replaced by a flat rate of 6.5% on all taxable income. The progressivity of the current income tax is maintained through a household credit that alleviates the impact of the 6.5% rate on low-income and middle-income households. The alternative minimum tax on individuals is abolished.
Part B broadens the sales tax base by including certain services, including certain amusement, entertainment and recreation services; installation, repair and maintenance services; personal property services; transportation and courier services; and long distance telephone service. Part B also changes the point of imposition of sales tax related to leased property from the sale of that property to the leasing business to the lease payments by the consumer. Part B also increases the sales tax on prepared food and lodging to 8.5% and the sales tax on rentals of automobiles of less than one year to 15%.
Part C changes the real estate transfer tax by providing that residences with a value greater than $500,000 will be taxed at 1% on the value of the residence that exceeds $500,000 with the full increase accruing to the General Fund. |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: OTP-AM, MIN: ONTP |
| Sponsor: | Representative PIOTTI of Unity | Cosponsors: | Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland
Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Senator BLISS of Cumberland
Representative CHASE of Wells
Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor
Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls
Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec
Senator MILLS of Somerset
President MITCHELL of Kennebec
Senator PERRY of Penobscot
Representative PILON of Saco
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven
Senator SIMPSON of Androscoggin
Representative VALENTINO of Saco
Representative WATSON of Bath |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 2, 2009, 0100PM, Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 27, 2009, 1:30PM, Room 127 State House |
LD 1253: An Act To Establish a Local Option Sales Tax Web Link to LD 1253
| Description: | This bill allows a municipality to impose a local option sales tax of 3% or less by local referendum. Revenue from the local option sales tax is distributed as follows: 50% to the municipality, 25% to the county in which the municipality is located and 25% to the General Fund. The revenue received by the municipality and county must be used to reduce the property tax, either through specific programs, such as by funding a municipal property tax assistance program or funding the portion of the homestead property tax exemptions not funded by the State or generally stabilizing or lowering the projected property tax rate of the municipality or the county tax assessment. |
| Position: | | Status: | CARRY OV APP |
| Sponsor: | Representative CROCKETT of Augusta | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative BLODGETT of Augusta
Representative COHEN of Portland
Representative EBERLE of South Portland
Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay
Representative STEVENS of Bangor
Representative TRINWARD of Waterville |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 29, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 13, 2009, 0100PM, Room 127 State House |
LD 1314: An Act To Reform and Lower Maine Taxes Web Link to LD 1314
| Description: | This bill implements tax reform in the following areas.
PART A
This Part allows persons eligible for benefits under the Maine Residents Property Tax Program, also known as the Circuitbreaker Program, to file for a refundable credit using the individual income tax form.
PART B
This Part affects individual income taxes by decreasing the top rate from 8.5% to 7.5%, conforming the personal exemption to the federal personal exemption and increasing the earned income tax credit from 5% to 20% over a 5-year period and allowing the credit to exceed the amount of income taxes actually paid.
PART C
This Part affects the ability of a municipality to impose service charges on tax-exempt properties located in that municipality in the following ways:
1. It expands the existing service charges statute in the following ways: service charges are applied to all improved exempt property except churches, federal property and municipal and quasi-municipal property; service charges are phased in over a 3-year period; and the service charge may not exceed the lesser of 1.5% of the organization's annual receipts and 50% of the amount that would have been assessed as taxes if the organization were not exempt;
2. It provides a schedule for all existing properties currently exempt under the law to reapply for eligibility under the new standards of eligibility in a phased-in manner over the next 3-year period;
3. It specifies that revenues derived from service charges must be used to reduce the municipal assessment in the same fashion as funds received under the municipal revenue sharing program; and
4. It establishes the Commission on Municipal Services and Tax-exempt Property, a commission consisting of appointees of the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House. The commission is required to develop a formula or process for municipalities to use to determine a municipal cost component. The commission shall analyze the extent of entities exempt from property tax and the impact of those tax-exempt entities on the costs of municipal services and consider any other options the commission determines are necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.
PART D
This Part affects the imposition of sales tax in the following ways:
1. It expands the definition of "taxable service" for purposes of the imposition of sales tax to include amusement, recreational and personal services and consumer purchases of transportation services and professional, club or fraternal memberships. It subjects those services to the 5% sales tax. The term "construction services" is also defined for the purpose of distinguishing nontaxable construction services from taxable personal services;
2. It eliminates all the current statutory sales tax exemptions except those that are required by the Constitution of the United States, federal law or the Constitution of Maine and sales to the State or the Federal Government and any political subdivisions of the State or the United States; and
3. It increases the so-called "lodging tax" from 7% to 10%. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative CROCKETT of Augusta | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative BRYANT of Windham
Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor
Senator PERRY of Penobscot
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven
Representative PIOTTI of Unity
Representative VALENTINO of Saco
Representative WATSON of Bath |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 29, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 7, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
LD 1368: An Act To Broaden and Increase the Sales Tax, Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit and Amend the Application Process for the Circuitbreaker Program. Web Link to LD 1368
| Description: | Part A broadens the sales tax base by adding amusement, entertainment and recreation services and including certain prepared foods, such as candy, potato chips and bakery products. This bill also increases the general sales tax rate from 5% to 6% and the sales tax on prepared food and lodging from 7% to 8%.
Part B increases the state earned income credit from 5% to 25% of the federal credit and provides that the state earned income credit is fully refundable.
Part C amends the Maine Residents Property Tax Program, also known as "the Circuitbreaker Program," by allowing an individual to apply for a benefit using the individual income tax form. Due to the difference in the time period covered by the Circuitbreaker Program and individual income taxes, the filing period for benefits under the Circuitbreaker Program is changed from August 1st to the following May 31st to January 1st to the following June 30th, beginning with benefit years beginning after 2009.
For the first year that this change in the application period is in effect, a double benefit payment will occur. Currently, benefits that accrue during a calendar year are not claimed and payable until after August of the following year. Since the effect of this Part is to allow an individual to use the income tax form to apply for benefits that accrued the immediately prior year and be paid within a month of the end of the calendar year, that could result in 2 payments being made: one from 2008 and one from 2009. In order to lessen the impact of double payments, the State Tax Assessor is directed to delay any benefits claimed for the 2009 calendar year until after July 1, 2010.
Part C also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to add to its uniform application for public assistance, including MaineCare and food stamps, the ability to request an application for the Maine Residents Property Tax Program. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative WATSON of Bath | Cosponsors: | Representative CROCKETT of Augusta
Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor
Representative PERCY of Phippsburg
Senator PERRY of Penobscot |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 29, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 7, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
LD 1381: An Act To Allow Counties To Provide Property Tax Relief by Enacting a County Option Meals and Lodging Tax Web Link to LD 1381
| Description: | This bill allows a county to impose a county option meals and lodging tax of 2% or less by approval at local referendum. Seventy-five percent of the revenue from the county option meals and lodging tax would be retained by the county and used to reduce the annual tax assessments on municipalities located in that county. The balance of the revenue, 25%, would be deposited in the General Fund. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Representative LOVEJOY of Portland
Senator PERRY of Penobscot
Representative RUSSELL of Portland
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 29, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 7, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
LD 1426: An Act To Allow Municipalities To Impose a Local Option Lodging or Meals Tax Web Link to LD 1426
| Description: | This bill allows a municipality to impose a local option lodging tax or a local option meals tax, or both, of 4% or less by local referendum. Revenue from the local option tax is distributed as follows: 75% to the municipality and 25% to the county in which the municipality is located. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor | Cosponsors: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative BLODGETT of Augusta
Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative CROCKETT of Augusta
Senator DAMON of Hancock
Representative FLAHERTY of Scarborough
Representative HUNT of Buxton
Senator PERRY of Penobscot |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 29, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 7, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
Legislation Of Interest
LD 1: An Act To Stimulate Capital Investment for Innovative Businesses in Maine Web Link to LD 1
| Description: | This bill is modeled on statutes in Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, Montana and Utah. It authorizes the establishment of the Maine Fund of Funds within the Small Enterprise Growth Board for the purpose of increasing the availability of venture capital to the Maine economy. The fund is managed by a director chosen by the Small Enterprise Growth Board by means of a competitive selection. The Small Enterprise Growth Board has authority to close the fund if necessary to protect the State's interests. The board raises capital for the fund by offering as security refundable tax credits issued by the board, with the goal of attracting venture capital investment in the State's economy. The board maintains regulatory control over the fund. The bill requires annual audits and reports on the fund.
The goal of the fund is to create investments in the Maine economy, which is broadly described as including the development of intellectual capital as well as job creation. The director may invest outside of the State as necessary to maximize returns and reduce the likelihood that tax credits will be redeemed. The bill provides that net profits from the fund after payment of obligations must be remitted to the General Fund. It also provides the Maine Public Employees Retirement System a preference in becoming a lender of capital and a special provision that the Maine Public Employees Retirement System may be granted a piece of the profits as an additional inducement to becoming a capital lender. Tax credits may not be redeemed for defaults occurring later than 2031, and the bill restricts tax credit redemption to $10,000,000 per year. |
| Position: | | Status: | JT. RULE 309 |
| Sponsor: | Senator MILLS S of Somerset. | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Mar 31, 2009, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 14, 2009, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 5: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Liquor Web Link to LD 5
| Description: | This bill amends the laws governing liquor licenses by deleting that provision of law that limits the number of liquor stores that may be licensed in a municipality. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland. | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Mar 16, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSEJan 28, 2009, 0100PM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 18, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 11: Resolve, To Encourage the Preservation of Dark Skies Web Link to LD 11
| Description: | This resolve directs the Executive Department, State Planning Office to establish uniform state standards for new commercial construction and the lighting of the outside surrounding space to limit light pollution and encourage the preservation of the area’s natural state. |
| Position: | | Status: | RESOLVE , Chapter 22 |
| Sponsor: | Representative SCHATZ of Blue Hill. | Cosponsors: | Senator DAMON of Hancock and
Representatives BERRY of Bowdoinham, EATON of Sullivan, FLEMMINGS . |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 26, 2009, 0230PM Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 19: An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding Public Rest Rooms Web Link to LD 19
| Description: | This bill requires that all places of public accommodation that provide rest room facilities provide disposable toilet seat covers. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford | Cosponsors: | Representative BLANCHARD of Old Town
Representative CASAVANT of Biddeford
Representative CROCKETT of Augusta
Representative HOGAN of Old Orchard Beach
Representative PIEH of Bremen
Representative TRINWARD of Waterville
Representative TUTTLE of Sanford
Representative VALENTINO of Saco |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Jan 29, 2009, 0115PM Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Jan 29, 2009, 0130PM Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 27: An Act To Amend the Definition of Employment for Purposes of Unemployment Compensation Web Link to LD 27
| Description: | Under current law, an employment relationship exists and unemployment insurance coverage is required unless all three parts of the so-called “ABC test" can be demonstrated. This bill limits application of the ABC test to situations in which the individual has performed services for a total of no less than 16 hours. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative FLOOD of Winthrop | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM Cross Office Building Room 220 |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 36: An Act To Reopen Certain Rest Stops on Route 1 Web Link to LD 36
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to reopen closed rest areas along Route 1 in Fort Kent and in Grand Isle. Under this bill, the cost of reopening and maintaining those rest areas would be shared with the affected communities. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative THERIAULT of Madawaska | Cosponsors: | Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative DILL of Cape Elizabeth
Representative DRISCOLL of Westbrook
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Representative PEOPLES of Westbrook |
| Committee: | Trans | Hearing: | Feb 3, 2009, 0100PM Room 126 State House |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 44: An Act To Require Transmission Lines To Be Placed Underground near Certain Facilities Web Link to LD 44
| Description: | This bill requires that high-voltage transmission lines capable of operating at 115 kilovolts or more constructed, rebuilt or relocated on or after October 1, 2009 near areas that are frequently used by children, including residential areas, public playgrounds, schools, child care facilities and children’s camps, be placed underground. The bill directs the Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules regarding this requirement, and it provides an exemption from the requirement if a transmission and distribution utility can demonstrate to the Public Utilities Commission that it is technologically infeasible to place the transmission line underground. |
| Position: | | Status: | Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative VALENTINO of Saco | Cosponsors: | Representative ADAMS of Portland
Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland
Representative BLANCHARD of Old Town
Representative DILL of Cape Elizabeth
Representative FLAHERTY of Scarborough
Senator HOBBINS of York
Senator MILLS of Somerset
Representative ROTUNDO of Lewiston
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland |
| Committee: | U&E | Hearing: | Apr 30, 2009, 0100PM Room 211 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 13, 2009, 0100PM, Room 211 Cross Office Building |
LD 64: An Act To Amend the Requirements for the Livable Wage Report Web Link to LD 64
| Description: | This bill changes the timing of the calculation and reporting of the livable wage from annual to biennial. The change is being made because some of the data needed for the calculation is not available in time for an annual calculation. The bill also changes the yearly schedule so that the Department of Labor has 5 months to report the information instead of only one month. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 11 |
| Sponsor: | Senator JACKSON of Aroostook | Cosponsors: | Representative GILBERT of Jay
Representative TUTTLE of Sanford |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM, Cross Office Building Room 220 |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 19, 2009, 0100PM Room 220 Cross Building |
LD 65: An Act To Increase the Ability of the Maine Wage Assurance Fund To Pay Unpaid Workers Web Link to LD 65
| Description: | This bill increases the amount that may be held in the Maine Wage Assurance Fund from $100,000 to $200,000. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 25 |
| Sponsor: | Senator JACKSON of Aroostook | Cosponsors: | Representative GILBERT of Jay
Representative TUTTLE of Sanford |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | Feb 19, 2009, 0100PM Room 220 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 19, 2009, 0100PM Room 220 Cross Building |
LD 73: An Act To Protect the Right To Use Solar Energy Web Link to LD 73
| Description: | This bill prohibits restriction by law, ordinance, regulation, deed, covenant or contract on the installation and use of solar collectors, clothes lines and other equipment for the solar drying of clothing. |
| Position: | | Status: | Signed, Jun 8, 2009 |
| Sponsor: | Representative HINCK of Portland | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland and
Senators GOODALL of Sagadahoc, NUTTING J of Androscoggin, Representatives AUSTIN of Gray, PIOTTI of Unity, PLUMMER of Windham, WAGNER J of Lyman, WEBSTER of Freeport. |
| Committee: | U&E | Hearing: | Jan 27, 2009, 0100PM, Room 211 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 13, 2009, 0100PM Room 211 Cross Office Building |
LD 84: An Act To Ensure Fair Pay Web Link to LD 84
| Description: | This bill protects from employer discrimination employees who inquire about, disclose, compare or otherwise discuss employee wages. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 29 |
| Sponsor: | Senator SIMPSON of Androscoggin | Cosponsors: | Senator GOODALL of Sagadahoc
Representative HILL of York
Representative PERCY of Phippsburg
Representative WATSON of Bath |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM, Cross Office Building Room 220 |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 23, 2009, 0100PM, Room 220 Cross Building |
LD 93: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Construction Contracts Web Link to LD 93
| Description: | This bill requires that any action commenced by a contractor or subcontractor to recover payments pursuant to the terms of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, chapter 201-A for work performed pursuant to a home construction contract under Title 10, chapter 219-A must be brought in the county in this State where the construction is located. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative CROCKETT of Augusta | Cosponsors: | Representative AYOTTE of Caswell
Representative BLODGETT of Augusta
Senator BRYANT of Oxford
Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk
Representative COTTA of China
Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland
Representative JOY of Crystal
Representative McKANE of Newcastle
Representative PLUMMER of Windham |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 12, 2009, 0200PM Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 96: An Act To Authorize the Implementation of Modified School Year Calendars Web Link to LD 96
| Description: | This bill authorizes a school administrative unit to use an alternative school calendar, such as a calendar of 4 days of student instruction per week, if that calendar provides for an amount of student instruction equivalent to that provided by a traditional school calendar. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative MILLETT of Waterford | Cosponsors: | Representative WATSON of Bath |
| Committee: | E&CA | Hearing: | Jan 26, 2009, 0100PM Room 202 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 10, 2009, 0900AM, Cross Building Room 202
POSTPONED Mar 2, 2009, 1000AM Cross Building Room 202 |
LD 107: An Act To Change the Classification of Man-made Wetlands Web Link to LD 107
| Description: | The bill exempts man-made wetlands from state regulation under the Natural Resources Protection Act unless the man-made wetlands were created in connection with a compensation project. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative THOMAS of Ripley | Cosponsors: | Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Representative CRAY of Palmyra
Representative DAVIS of Sangerville
Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln
Senator GOOLEY of Franklin
Representative JOHNSON of Greenville
Representative JOY of Crystal
Representative SAVIELLO of Wilton |
| Committee: | NR | Hearing: | Feb 10, 2009, 0100PM Room 214 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 17, 2009, 0200PM Room 214 Cross Building |
LD 134: An Act To Amend the Occupancy Limits for Campsites in the Unorganized Territories Web Link to LD 134
| Description: | This bill amends the law that limits occupancy in a campsite under the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission to change the occupancy limit from 90 consecutive days to 120 days in a calendar year. |
| Position: | | Status: | Public Law Chapter 16 |
| Sponsor: | Representative THERIAULT of Madawaska | Cosponsors: | Representative BRIGGS of Mexico
Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative DILL of Cape Elizabeth
Representative HAYES of Buckfield
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Representative JOY of Crystal
Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake
Representative SCHATZ of Blue Hill
Representative WILLETTE of Presque Isle |
| Committee: | AC&F | Hearing: | Feb 13, 2009, 1000AM Room 206, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 20, 2009, 0100PM Room 206, Cross Building |
LD 146: An Act To Require Telephone Directories To Include Cellular Telephone Numbers for Businesses Web Link to LD 146
| Description: | This bill requires telephone directories published by telephone utilities to include cellular telephone numbers for businesses at the request of a customer. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative RICHARDSON of Warren | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | U&E | Hearing: | Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM Room 211 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 12, 2009, 0100PM Room 211 Cross Office Building |
LD 153: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for the Land for Maine's Future Board Web Link to LD 153
| Description: | The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $30,000,000, will be used to recapitalize the Land for Maine's Future Fund over 2 years to continue the State's land conservation efforts, leveraging a minimum of $15,000,000 in required matching funds. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative FLOOD of Winthrop | Cosponsors: | Representative ADAMS of Portland
Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland
Representative PIOTTI of Unity |
| Committee: | A&FA | Hearing: | Mar 10, 2009, 0900AM Room 228 State House |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 175: An Act To Modify the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program Web Link to LD 175
| Description: | This bill modifies the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program administered by the Finance Authority of Maine by changing the requirements for increased credits from businesses located in high unemployment areas to those located in areas of the State classified as Pine Tree Development Zones. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator RECTOR of Knox | Cosponsors: | Representative AUSTIN of Gray
Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative COHEN of Portland
Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 176: An Act To Equitably Adjust the Workers' Compensation Board's Assessment Web Link to LD 176
| Description: | This bill requires the Workers' Compensation Board to use collections that exceed the maximum assessment by more than 10% to reduce the assessment on insured employers. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 109 |
| Sponsor: | Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Representative DRISCOLL of Westbrook
Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Senator MILLS of Somerset
President MITCHELL of Kennebec
Representative TUTTLE of Sanford
Representative WATSON of Bath |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | Mar 12, 2009, 0100PM, Room 220 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 23, 2009, 0100PM Roos 220 Cross Building |
LD 182: An Act To Prohibit Aerial Spraying of Pesticides near Buildings, Roads and Bodies of Water Web Link to LD 182
| Description: | This bill establishes buffers where aerial spraying of pesticides is prohibited. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative SCHATZ of Blue Hill | Cosponsors: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative DUCHESNE of Hudson
Representative EATON of Sullivan |
| Committee: | AC&F | Hearing: | Apr 23, 2009, 0930AM, Room 206, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 23, 2009, 0100PM, Room 206, Cross Building |
LD 192: An Act To Index the State Minimum Wage to Inflation Web Link to LD 192
| Description: | This bill provides for the state minimum hourly wage to be adjusted for inflation beginning January 1, 2010 and annually thereafter. The bill requires the Department of Labor to calculate the inflation-adjusted minimum hourly wage based on changes in the consumer price index and to exclude from the calculation any month in which the State's unemployment rate exceeds the national unemployment rate. |
| Position: | | Status: | CARRY OV APP |
| Sponsor: | Representative TUTTLE of Sanford | Cosponsors: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Representative DRISCOLL of Westbrook
Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven
Representative PIOTTI of Unity |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 197: An Act To Provide Tax Relief to Workers Who Lose Their Jobs Due to Business Closure Web Link to LD 197
| Description: | This bill exempts severance benefits from Maine income tax if those benefits are received from a commercial or industrial establishment located in the State that employs or has employed at any time in the preceding 12-month period 100 or more persons and terminates operations in the State. |
| Position: | | Status: | Ought to Pass - As Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls | Cosponsors: | Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Representative GILBERT of Jay
Representative INNES of Yarmouth
Representative JONES of Mount Vernon
Representative LANGLEY of Ellsworth
Senator PERRY of Penobscot
Representative SHAW of Standish |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Feb 3, 2009, 0100PM, Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 24, 2009, 1000AM, Room 127 State House |
LD 214: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Economic Recovery Web Link to LD 214
| Description: | The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $20,000,000, will be used to increase 2 Finance Authority of Maine business programs, a direct loan program and a loan insurance program, by $10,000,000 each to assist businesses facing loss of revenues and that require business restructuring. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative GILES of Belfast | Cosponsors: | Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative COHEN of Portland
Representative DILL of Cape Elizabeth
Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay
Representative PERCY of Phippsburg
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot
Representative SMITH of Monmouth
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland |
| Committee: | E&CA | Hearing: | Mar 11, 2009, 0900AM Room 228, State House |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 242: An Act To Repeal the Informed Growth Act Web Link to LD 242
| Description: | This bill repeals the Informed Growth Act. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator HASTINGS of Oxford | Cosponsors: | Senator COURTNEY of York
Representative CROCKETT of Augusta
Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland
Representative HAMPER of Oxford
Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec
Representative MILLETT of Waterford
Senator RAYE of Washington
Senator SMITH of Piscataquis
Representative TARDY of Newport |
| Committee: | S&LG | Hearing: | Apr 1, 2009, 1000AM, Room 216 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 6, 2009, 0100PM, Room 216 Cross Office Building |
LD 245: An Act To Calculate the School Year by Number of Hours Web Link to LD 245
| Description: | This bill directs the Department of Education to provide by rule for a school calendar that is based upon a minimum annual number of hours that is equivalent to the current 180-day school calendar. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 87 |
| Sponsor: | Senator SULLIVAN of York | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Representative CASAVANT of Biddeford
Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk
Senator DAMON of Hancock
Senator NUTTING of Androscoggin
Representative SIROIS of Turner
Representative SUTHERLAND of Chapman |
| Committee: | E&CA | Hearing: | Feb 9, 2009, 1000AM Cross Building Room 202 |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 10, 2009, 0900AM, Cross Building Room 202 |
LD 247: Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Conservation To Report on the Status of the Working Group on the Acquisition of Land for Multiple Uses Web Link to LD 247
| Description: | This resolve directs the Commissioner of Conservation to report by March 1, 2009 to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on the status of the working group convened pursuant to Resolve 2005, chapter 197, section 5, which was charged with reviewing options for the public acquisition of land or interest in land in the Katahdin region that is crucial for hunting, snowmobiling and other types of recreation that have a significant impact on the economy of the region. The report must identify who is included in the working group, who the group has had contact with and the progress of any meetings held by the group. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative CLARK of Millinocket | Cosponsors: | Representative DAVIS of Sangerville
Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln
Representative HANLEY of Gardiner
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Representative JOY of Crystal
Representative SAVIELLO of Wilton
Senator SHERMAN of Aroostook
Representative THERIAULT of Madawaska
Representative THOMAS of Ripley |
| Committee: | AC&F | Hearing: | Mar 18, 2009, 0100PM, Room 206, Cross Building
Feb 17, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 3, 2009, 0930AM, Room 206, Cross Building |
LD 271: An Act To Encourage Economic Recovery and Employment Growth To Support Maine's Working Waterfronts Web Link to LD 271
| Description: | This bill establishes a waiver of certain Pine Tree Development Zone qualification requirements for property that is within a working waterfront that has sustained a 5% loss of employed workers during the 16-month period immediately preceding the time of application, as long as the loss was caused by a catastrophic occurrence. The bill requires that an application for a waiver must be received by August 1, 2011. The bill also states that only a qualified business whose primary purpose is to support the State’s working waterfront industry is eligible to receive Pine Tree Development Zone benefits. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 21 |
| Sponsor: | Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay | Cosponsors: | Senator GOODALL of Sagadahoc
Representative MILLER of Somerville
Representative PERCY of Phippsburg
Representative PIEH of Bremen |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Feb 17, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 26, 2009, 0230PM Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 272: An Act To License Home Building and Improvement Contractors Web Link to LD 272
| Description: | This bill creates the Maine Home Contractor Licensing Act. The bill contains provisions concerning: requirements for licensure of general contractors and persons who perform framing, roofing, siding, insulating, window work or chimney work, if the work concerns residential dwellings; certain specific exemptions from licensure; required qualifications for general and specialty licenses; requirements for criminal and financial disclosures; creation of the Maine Home Contractor Licensing Board; and fees for licensing. |
| Position: | | Status: | CARRY OV APP |
| Sponsor: | Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAUDETTE of Biddeford
Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative CROCKETT of Augusta
Representative GILES of Belfast
Representative HINCK of Portland
Representative MILLER of Somerville
Representative PILON of Saco
Representative RUSSELL of Portland
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot
Representative SMITH of Monmouth |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Mar 24, 2009, 0930AM Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 3, 2009, 1000AM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 273: An Act To Require a Regional Review of Projects That Affect Areas Outside of the Community in Which the Project Is Proposed Web Link to LD 273
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to have a regional review of a project if the project will have an adverse effect on more than the community in which the project will be located. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Apr 1, 2009, 1000AM, Room 216 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 13, 2009, 0100PM Room 216 Cross Office Building |
LD 347: An Act To Reduce Regulatory Costs for Maine Businesses Web Link to LD 347
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to reduce regulatory costs for businesses in the State by establishing a council on private sector regulatory costs composed of private sector business leaders. The council would:
1. Have the power to compel staffing from any state agency;
2. Have the authority to compel a state agency to cooperate with the council in developing a new regulatory regime for State Government;
3. Develop a new approach to regulation of private sector businesses based on broad principles rather than specific rules and regulations; and
4. Report its findings and recommendations for the implementation of principle-based regulation to the Legislature by December 1, 2009. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator SMITH of Piscataquis | Cosponsors: | Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Senator HASTINGS of Oxford
Senator RECTOR of Knox |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Feb 17, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 3, 2009, 1000AM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 373: An Act To Facilitate Lactation at the Workplace by New Mothers Web Link to LD 373
| Description: | This bill requires break time for nursing mothers in the workplace and requires an employer to provide a sanitary space, which must be close to the work area and may not be a bathroom, for nursing mothers to express milk in privacy. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 84 |
| Sponsor: | Representative WALSH INNES of Yarmouth | Cosponsors: | Representative CORNELL du HOUX of Brunswick
Representative MCCABE of Skowhegan |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | Mar 9, 2009, 0100PM, Room 220 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 23, 2009, 0100PM Room 220 Cross Building |
LD 403: An Act To Increase the Minimum Wage Web Link to LD 403
| Description: | This bill increases the minimum wage to $8.20 per hour in 2010 and to $8.90 in 2011. Each year after that, the minimum wage is adjusted based on changes in prices, so that the minimum hourly wage rate maintains employee purchasing power. The price adjustment is based on the change in the Consumer Price Index. |
| Position: | | Status: | CARRY OV APP |
| Sponsor: | Representative TUTTLE of Sanford | Cosponsors: | Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland
Representative BLODGETT of Augusta
Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland
Representative GILBERT of Jay
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
President MITCHELL of Kennebec
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven
Senator SULLIVAN of York
Representative TRINWARD of Waterville |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 429: An Act To Increase Retail Sales of Wine Web Link to LD 429
| Description: | This bill repeals the limitation that a wine tasting for an off-premise establishment may only be held once a calendar month. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative PENDLETON of Scarborough | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Feb 23, 2009, 1100AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 11, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 462: An Act To Amend the Retail Tobacco and Liquor Licensing Laws Web Link to LD 462
| Description: | This bill clarifies that all retail tobacco licenses expire March 31st each year and requires the Department of Health and Human Services’ rules to provide for prorated license fees for new applications received after April 1st. The bill further clarifies the jurisdiction of and provides consistent procedures for the District Court over agents and employees of both retail tobacco licensees and liquor licensees when charged with administrative violations. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 199 |
| Sponsor: | Senator MILLS of Somerset | Cosponsors: | Representative MILLER of Somerville |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Mar 31, 2009, 0100PM, Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 2, 2009, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Office Building |
LD 493: An Act To Provide Sensible Options for Tax Increment Financing Proceeds in Small Towns Web Link to LD 493
| Description: | This bill clarifies the procedure for municipalities to jointly participate in a tax increment financing district and permits municipalities with a population of fewer than 1,500 persons singly or jointly to include certain regional and municipal improvements in project costs. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator ROSEN of Hancock | Cosponsors: | Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Mar 10, 2009, 0100PM, Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 19, 2009, 1000AM, Room 127 State House |
LD 498: An Act Regarding Alcoholic Beverage Tastings Web Link to LD 498
| Description: | This bill proposes to allow limited taste testing of alcoholic beverages by holders of off-premises licenses, subject to approval and regulation by the Department of Public Safety. The bill allows a sales representative participating in a taste-testing event to provide written or oral educational materials and provide and distribute food at no cost to the consumer or licensee. |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: OTP-AM, MIN: ONTP |
| Sponsor: | Representative TUTTLE of Sanford | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAULIEU of Auburn
Representative CAREY of Lewiston
Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
Senator SULLIVAN of York |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Mar 4, 2009, 1000AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 11, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 507: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for the Construction of a Multiuse Arena in Bangor Web Link to LD 507
| Description: | The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $25,000,000, will be used to provide funds to build a multiuse convention arena in the City of Bangor. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator PERRY of Penobscot | Cosponsors: | Representative BUTTERFIELD of Bangor
Representative GOODE of Bangor
Representative MARTIN of Orono
Representative STEVENS of Bangor |
| Committee: | A&FA | Hearing: | Mar 11, 2009, 0900AM Room 228, State House |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 514: An Act To Clarify Criminal Responsibility in the Sale of Alcohol and Tobacco to Minors Web Link to LD 514
| Description: | This bill amends the law to specify that only the person who furnishes tobacco or liquor to a minor is criminally responsible for the act. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative EDGECOMB of Caribou | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Mar 4, 2009, 1000AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 11, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 539: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Allowable Uses of Tax Increment Financing Funds Web Link to LD 539
| Description: | This bill allows for tax increment financing proceeds reserved for use by municipalities to be used for expenses relating to recreational trails to enhance recreational opportunities to promote economic growth. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 85 |
| Sponsor: | Representative CLARK of Millinocket | Cosponsors: | Representative DAVIS of Sangerville
Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Representative JOY of Crystal
Representative SAVIELLO of Wilton
Senator SHERMAN of Aroostook
Senator SMITH of Piscataquis
Representative THERIAULT of Madawaska
Representative THOMAS of Ripley |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Mar 10, 2009, 0100PM, Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 19, 2009, 1000AM, Room 127 State House |
LD 559: An Act To Update the Board of Pesticides Control Web Link to LD 559
| Description: | This bill clarifies and makes consistent the language describing the qualifications for members of the Board of Pesticides Control. The bill clarifies that the member who is a commercial applicator must have expertise in structural pest management. The bill prohibits the board from advocating for or against nominees to the board. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk | Cosponsors: | Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative CRAY of Palmyra
Senator HOBBINS of York
Representative MCCABE of Skowhegan
Senator NUTTING of Androscoggin
Representative PRATT of Eddington
Representative SHAW of Standish
Representative SMITH of Monmouth |
| Committee: | AC&F | Hearing: | Mar 11, 2009, 0100PM Room 206, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | VOTED, Mar 18, 2009, ONTP |
LD 579: An Act To Provide Wraparound Medical Coverage in the Workers' Compensation System Web Link to LD 579
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to establish an integrated health insurance program that incorporates health coverage provided by Dirigo Health into the workers' compensation system. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative MILLER of Somerville | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | Mar 12, 2009, 0100PM, Room 220 Cross Building
Mar 9, 2009, 0100PM Room 220 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 23, 2009, 0100PM Roos 220 Cross Building |
LD 610: An Act To Add 10 Days to the School Year and To Require Daily Physical Exercise for All School Children Web Link to LD 610
| Description: | This bill:
1. Requires that schools provide physical education to students daily;
2. Requires that schools provide a program of physical evaluation of each student; and
3. Increases by 10 days the required annual number of school days. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator MILLS of Somerset | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | E&CA | Hearing: | Mar 16, 2009, 0100PM, Cross Building Room 202 |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 19, 2009, 0100AM, Cross Building Room 202 |
LD 612: n Act To Assist Small Businesses with Creating Jobs Web Link to LD 612
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to assist small businesses with the creation of jobs and increased employment. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative HUNT of Buxton
Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot
Representative SMITH of Monmouth
Senator SULLIVAN of York
Representative WRIGHT of Berwick |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 613: An Act To Recruit Businesses from Other States Web Link to LD 613
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to enact measures designed to recruit business from other states. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative HUNT of Buxton
Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot
Representative SMITH of Monmouth
Senator SULLIVAN of York
Representative WRIGHT of Berwick |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Mar 24, 2009, 0930AM Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 24, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 669: An Act To Clarify an Employer's Ability To Collect the Overcompensation of Wages Web Link to LD 669
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to limit an employer's ability to collect an overpayment of wages due to the employer's error. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator JACKSON of Aroostook | Cosponsors: | Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland
Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Representative TUTTLE of Sanford |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 682: An Act Regarding Agency Liquor Stores Web Link to LD 682
| Description: | This bill removes the provision in current law that limits the number of agency liquor stores that may be licensed in a municipality. It also provides for additional criteria that an applicant must meet in order to receive an agency liquor store license after July 1, 2009. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator SULLIVAN of York | Cosponsors: | Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk
Representative LEGG of Kennebunk
Representative VALENTINO of Saco |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Mar 16, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 8, 2009, 0900AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 787: An Act To Provide an Additional Source of Revenue for the Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents Web Link to LD 787
| Description: | This bill provides that, beginning in fiscal year 2011-12, 10% of growth in sales and use tax and income tax would be transferred to the Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents to be available for tax relief. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative CHASE of Wells | Cosponsors: | Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls
Representative LANGLEY of Ellsworth
Representative LEWIN of Eliot
Representative MILLETT of Waterford
Senator NASS of York
Representative PIOTTI of Unity
Representative WATSON of Bath |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 16, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 15, 2009, 1000AM, Room 127 State House |
LD 848: An Act To Encourage Green Commerce Web Link to LD 848
| Description: | This bill requires the Maine Technology Institute to establish a new grant program to award funds on a competitive basis to businesses that install or operate green technology that improves energy efficiency and uses renewable resources. The bill authorizes the Maine Technology Institute to apply for funds for this grant program from the conservation program fund established in Title 35-A, section 3211-A, subsection 5. It also authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to award funds from the conservation program fund to the Maine Technology Institute's program to support incentives for green technology. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative BECK of Waterville | Cosponsors: | Representative HUNT of Buxton
Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay
Representative MARTIN of Orono
Representative SMITH of Monmouth
Senator SULLIVAN of York
Representative WRIGHT of Berwick |
| Committee: | U&E | Hearing: | Apr 14, 2009, 0130PM Room 211 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 855: Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study the Reform of Taxes and Spending in Maine Web Link to LD 855
| Description: | This resolve establishes a study commission to review the Brookings Institution report, “Charting Maine’s Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable Prosperity and Quality Places.” The commission is to report with suggested legislation on tax and spending reform for the State, with a focus on efficiency. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator BOWMAN of York | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 16, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 30, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
LD 918: An Act To Amend the Informed Growth Act To Provide a Local Management Option Web Link to LD 918
| Description: | This bill exempts a municipality from the Informed Growth Act if the municipality adopts an ordinance that determines the impact of a large-scale retail development on the surrounding community and requires an independent study by a qualified preparer. It also exempts a municipality that has adopted an ordinance prior to January 1, 2009 for determining the economic and community impacts of a large-scale retail development. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham | Cosponsors: | Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland
Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor
Representative HUNT of Buxton
Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake
Senator MILLS of Somerset
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven
Representative PIOTTI of Unity
Senator SIMPSON of Androscoggin
Representative TREAT of Hallowell |
| Committee: | S&LG | Hearing: | Apr 1, 2009, 1000AM, Room 216 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 13, 2009, 0100PM, Room 216 Cross Office Building |
LD 946: An Act To Reverse the Effects of Grant v. Central Maine Power, Inc. on Workers' Compensation Web Link to LD 946
| Description: | The purpose of this bill is to address the issue identified in Grant v. Central Maine Power, Inc., 2003 ME 96, 828 A.2d 800 by amending the Maine Workers' Compensation Act of 1992 to permit an employer to reduce weekly benefits by the amount of earnings paid by an employer that is not liable or responsible for paying the weekly benefits. |
| Position: | | Status: | Signed, Jun 8, 2009 |
| Sponsor: | Representative CUSHING of Hampden | Cosponsors: | Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Senator COURTNEY of York
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | Apr 23, 2009, 0100PM, Room 220 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 13, 2009, 0100PM, Room 220 Cross Building |
LD 961: An Act To Amend the Maine Condominium Act Regarding Liens Web Link to LD 961
| Description: | This bill creates the definition in the Maine Condominium Act of "priority amounts," which includes heat, utility and regular condominium association assessments for a 6-month period before filing a lawsuit to enforce a lien and the costs and attorney's fees to enforce the lien. This bill also gives a lien based upon priority amounts priority over a first mortgage and establishes that, if the association fails to send the first mortgagee notice of a lien action, the association cannot collect costs or attorney's fees. |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: OTP-AM, MIN: OTP-AM |
| Sponsor: | Representative DILL of Cape Elizabeth | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Representative CEBRA of Naples
Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay |
| Committee: | Judic | Hearing: | Apr 8, 2009, 0100PM Room 438 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 7, 2009, 0100PM, Room 438 State House |
LD 976: An Act To Provide Tax Relief Web Link to LD 976
| Description: | This initiated bill imposes expenditure limitations on state and local government and requires voter approval of certain state tax increases.
Under this bill, growth in annual expenditures of the General Fund, the Highway Fund and Other Special Revenue Funds are limited according to increases in population and inflation. For the General Fund and Highway Fund budgets, revenues exceeding the expenditure limitation must be distributed by directing 20% of that excess to a budget stabilization fund and 80% of that excess to a tax relief fund. The budget stabilization funds may be used only in years when revenues are not sufficient to fund the level of expenditure permitted by the growth limits. The Tax Relief Reserve Fund must be used to provide tax relief through broad-based tax rate reductions or refunds proportional to individual income tax personal exemptions claimed in the previous tax year. The Highway Fund Reserve Fund must be used to provide a decrease in motor fuel taxes. For state agencies that manage Other Special Revenue Funds, the managers of those funds must report excess surpluses to the Legislature with a plan for refund of those revenues.
Under this bill, a state tax increase would require a majority vote of each House of the Legislature and majority approval of the voters.
This bill provides that state expenditure limits contained in the bill may be exceeded by a majority vote of each House of the Legislature and majority approval by the voters.
The bill adds the requirement of majority approval by the voters before municipal and county expenditure limits may be exceeded.
The bill requires majority approval by the voters for the annual indexing for inflation of motor fuel taxes.
The bill requires counties and municipalities to use a cost center budget summary format developed by the Department of Audit and requires information in that format to be made available to local voters, filed annually with Maine Revenue Services and posted on any publicly accessible website maintained by the county or municipality as well as on the Maine Revenue Services website. |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: ONTP, MIN: OTP-AM |
| Sponsor: | | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 16, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 30, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
LD 979: An Act To Require the Disclosure of Insurance Policy Limits to an Injured Party Web Link to LD 979
| Description: | This bill requires an insurer to disclose the liability coverage limits of its insured to a claimant. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 189 |
| Sponsor: | Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Mar 31, 2009, 0100PM, Room 427 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 7, 2009, 0100PM Room 427 State House |
LD 989: An Act To Allow for a Dual Liquor License Web Link to LD 989
| Description: | This bill allows an establishment licensed to sell beer or wine for consumption off premises to also have a license for on-premises consumption of beer and wine as long as the beer or wine is served to accompany a meal. |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: OTP-AM, MIN: ONTP |
| Sponsor: | Representative VALENTINO of Saco | Cosponsors: | Representative FITTS of Pittsfield
Representative PINKHAM of Lexington Township
Senator SULLIVAN of York
Representative TRINWARD of Waterville |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Apr 13, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | May 1, 2009, 1000AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 999: An Act To Streamline the Evaluation of Economic Development Programs Web Link to LD 999
| Description: | This bill implements the recommendations of the Department of Economic and Community Development relating to streamlining and improving the comprehensive economic development evaluation for the State's economic development programs and incentives. It also reduces duplicative statutory reporting requirements that will be included in the department's comprehensive evaluation process. The bill also amends the definition of "economic development incentive." It also increases the maximum budget amounts of contributing programs and organizations that can be assessed for economic development evaluation and research and development evaluation. It repeals the provision of law that allows the State Tax Assessor to withhold reimbursement for taxes paid on certain business property from a claimant who has failed to provide certain information to the Department of Economic and Community Development. |
| Position: | | Status: | Leave to Withdraw |
| Sponsor: | Representative CAIN of Orono | Cosponsors: | Representative AUSTIN of Gray
Senator RECTOR of Knox |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 1008: An Act To Increase Consumer Choice for Wine Web Link to LD 1008
| Description: | This bill establishes a license to allow for the direct shipment of wine. The license allows certain in-state and out-of-state wineries to ship up to 12 cases of wine annually to recipients who are 21 years of age or older. The direct shipper or 3rd-party carrier contracted by the shipper must be shown proof of age in order to make a delivery. Wine shipments must be conspicuously labeled that they contain alcohol and may be delivered only to a person 21 years of age or older. The bill requires that a direct shipper is required to pay all applicable taxes, including excise and premium taxes on wine. The bill establishes reporting requirements for direct shippers and lists specific penalties for specific violations of laws governing the direct shipment of wine. |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: OTP-AM, MIN: ONTP |
| Sponsor: | Representative WALSH INNES of Yarmouth | Cosponsors: | Representative CAIN of Orono
Representative CORNELL du HOUX of Brunswick
Representative FITTS of Pittsfield
Representative McKANE of Newcastle
Representative PIOTTI of Unity
Representative RUSSELL of Portland
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Apr 13, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | May 1, 2009, 1000AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 1019: An Act To Strengthen the Informed Growth Act Web Link to LD 1019
| Description: | This bill requires the comprehensive economic impact study under the Informed Growth Act for a large-scale retail development having over 150,000 square feet of gross floor area to provide information concerning the average number of part-time and full-time employees of the prospective tenant who are covered by the prospective tenant’s health insurance policy. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator NUTTING of Androscoggin | Cosponsors: | Representative BOLAND of Sanford
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Representative PERRY of Calais
Senator SIMPSON of Androscoggin |
| Committee: | S&LG | Hearing: | Apr 1, 2009, 1000AM, Room 216 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 13, 2009, 0100PM, Room 216 Cross Office Building |
LD 1025: An Act To Allow Choice of Wine by Maine Consumers Web Link to LD 1025
| Description: | This bill establishes a wine connoisseur permit. This permit provides that a person may order a total of 12 9-liter cases of wine per year shipped from a specialty wine permit holder by way of a common carrier. The fee for a wine connoisseur permit is $75 per year. This bill also grants routine technical rule-making authority to the Department of Public Safety's division of liquor licensing and compliance to ensure that bottles of wine received under a wine connoisseur permit comply with the bottle deposit law.
The bill also establishes a specialty wine permit. The permit provides that a person who ferments, ages and bottles that person's own wine may ship up to 50 9-liter cases of wine annually to wine connoisseur permit holders. The annual fee for a specialty wine permit is $100. The bill also grants routine technical rule-making authority to the division to ensure that specialty wine permit holders sell and deliver the wine only to qualified wine connoisseur permit holders and directs the division to include annual reporting guidelines in the rules.
The bill allows a farm winery license holder to sell wine outside of the State as long as the farm winery complies with the laws of the jurisdiction where the wine is delivered.
The bill requires that, except for purchase by licensees, all purchases of liquor must be made in person. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator SIMPSON of Androscoggin | Cosponsors: | Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
Senator RAYE of Washington
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Representative RUSSELL of Portland
Representative SMITH of Monmouth
Senator SULLIVAN of York
Representative TRINWARD of Waterville |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Apr 13, 2009, 1000AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | May 1, 2009, 1000AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 1034: An Act To Create Regulatory Exemptions for Poultry Web Link to LD 1034
| Description: | This bill allows a poultry producer to sell uninspected poultry at the producer's farm, at farmers' markets and to restaurants. It establishes labeling requirements and requires identification of uninspected products on restaurant menus. |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: OTP-AM, MIN: ONTP |
| Sponsor: | Representative MCCABE of Skowhegan | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative CRAY of Palmyra
Senator DAMON of Hancock
Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor
Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln
Representative O'BRIEN of Lincolnville
Representative PERCY of Phippsburg
Representative PRATT of Eddington |
| Committee: | AC&F | Hearing: | Mar 27, 2009, 1100AM, Room 206, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 6, 2009, 0930AM, Room 206, Cross Building |
LD 1047: An Act To Amend the Review and Approval Process of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Web Link to LD 1047
| Description: | This bill requires that a comprehensive land use plan be adopted by the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission and approved by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over conservation matters. Current law requires that the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission adopt and the Governor approve a comprehensive land use plan. |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: OTP-AM, MIN: OTP-AM |
| Sponsor: | Representative CLARK of Millinocket | Cosponsors: | Representative CRAY of Palmyra
Representative DAVIS of Sangerville
Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln
Representative JOHNSON of Greenville
Senator NUTTING of Androscoggin
Representative PERCY of Phippsburg
Representative SAVIELLO of Wilton
Senator SHERMAN of Aroostook
Representative THERIAULT of Madawaska |
| Committee: | AC&F | Hearing: | Apr 22, 2009, 0930AM Room 206, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 14, 2009, 0100PM, Room 216, Cross Building |
LD 1071: An Act To Add a Member to the Advisory Council on Health Systems Development Web Link to LD 1071
| Description: | This bill adds an individual with expertise in the discipline of food science to the membership of the Advisory Council on Health Systems Development. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 179 |
| Sponsor: | Representative BOLAND of Sanford | Cosponsors: | Representative AUSTIN of Gray
Representative BUTTERFIELD of Bangor
Senator HOBBINS of York
Representative MILLER of Somerville
Representative MORRISON of South Portland
Representative PENDLETON of Scarborough
Representative RANKIN of Hiram
Representative SAVIELLO of Wilton
Representative TRINWARD of Waterville |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Apr 7, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Office Bilding |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 9, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Office Building |
LD 1074: An Act To Promote Responsible Sales of Alcoholic Beverages Web Link to LD 1074
| Description: | This bill requires that any person who sells or serves alcoholic beverages to any person must verify that person's age through photo identification. It also requires that licensees post a sign regarding that requirement in a prominent location visible to patrons of the establishment. The bill requires any person hired by a licensee who will sell or serve alcoholic beverages to successfully complete seller server training within 30 days of employment. The bill adds to the approval criteria for training courses that refresher courses be available and that training be available online. Finally, this bill requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to recommend graduated penalties for failure to comply with the identification requirement proposed in this bill. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative PERRY of Calais | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford
Representative CROCKETT of Augusta
Representative SANBORN of Gorham |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Apr 15, 2009, 0100PM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | May 1, 2009, 1000AM ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
LD 1108: An Act To Amend the Statute of Limitations under the Maine Human Rights Act Web Link to LD 1108
| Description: | This bill changes the statute of limitations under the Maine Human Rights Act from 6 months to 300 days after an alleged act of discrimination to file a complaint with the commission, requires the Maine Human Rights Commission to conclude its investigation of a complaint within 2 years of the alleged act of discrimination and changes the time frame to file a lawsuit from 2 years after the alleged act of discrimination to 90 days after the issuance of a right-to-sue letter. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 235 |
| Sponsor: | Representative DILL of Cape Elizabeth | Cosponsors: | Senator BLISS of Cumberland
Representative BRYANT of Windham
Representative HINCK of Portland |
| Committee: | Judic | Hearing: | Apr 16, 2009, 0100PM Room 438 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 29, 2009, 0100PM Room 438 State House |
LD 1109: An Act To Prohibit the Reduction of Benefits under the Maine Workers' Compensation Act of 1992 for Certain Prior Injuries Web Link to LD 1109
| Description: | This bill is in response to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court's decision in Legassie v. Securitas, Inc., 2008 ME 43, 944 A.2d 495. The decision in that case authorized a reduction to an injured worker's wage replacement and medical benefits because of a previously settled workers' compensation claim. This bill specifies that reducing an injured worker's benefits because of a prior settled injury is direct apportionment against the employee and is prohibited.
This bill also clarifies the applicability of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court's decision in Cust v. University of Maine, 2001 ME 29, 766 A.2d 566. This bill specifies that when an injured worker's permanent impairment rating under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 39-A, section 213, subsection 1-A is above the applicable threshold on account of a single injury or the sum of multiple injuries, all of the worker's weekly benefits under the Maine Workers' Compensation Act of 1992 are exempt from the durational limit of Title 39-A, section 213, subsection 1. |
| Position: | | Status: | Leave to Withdraw |
| Sponsor: | Representative WATSON of Bath | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 1148: An Act To Designate Sales Tax Holiday Weekends Web Link to LD 1148
| Description: | This bill provides an exemption from the sales tax for all items sold on Columbus Day weekend in October. The bill also sets out exemptions to the sales tax holiday weekend. The bill requires the Director of the Bureau of Revenue Services within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to report to the State Controller the amount of sales tax unpaid, as well as revenue raised from personal and corporate income taxes and other sources as a result of the sales tax holiday weekend. The Bureau of Revenue Services and the Maine Merchants Association shall consult and present recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation for 2 sales tax holiday weekends for the year 2010 and beyond. The Joint Standing Committee on Taxation has authority to submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature pertaining to the dates that are selected for the sales tax holiday weekends. |
| Position: | | Status: | Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Representative AUSTIN of Gray
Representative AYOTTE of Caswell
Representative BICKFORD of Auburn
Senator BLISS of Cumberland
Senator BOWMAN of York
Representative BRIGGS of Mexico
Representative BURNS of Whiting
Representative CEBRA of Naples
Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk
Representative CUSHING of Hampden
Senator DAVIS of Cumberland
Representative EDGECOMB of Caribou
Representative FLETCHER of Winslow
Representative FLOOD of Winthrop
Representative FOSSEL of Alna
Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln
Representative GILES of Belfast
Senator GOOLEY of Franklin
Representative HANLEY of Gardiner
Senator HASTINGS of Oxford
Representative JOHNSON of Greenville
Representative JOY of Crystal
Representative KAENRATH of South Portland
Representative KNAPP of Gorham
Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls
Representative LANGLEY of Ellsworth
Representative LEWIN of Eliot
Representative McKANE of Newcastle
Representative MILLER of Somerville
Representative MILLETT of Waterford
Senator MILLS of Somerset
Representative MORRISON of South Portland
Senator NASS of York
Representative NUTTING of Oakland
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham
Senator RAYE of Washington
Representative RICHARDSON of Carmel
Representative RICHARDSON of Warren
Representative ROBINSON of Raymond
Representative ROSEN of Bucksport
Senator ROSEN of Hancock
Representative SAVIELLO of Wilton
Representative SYKES of Harrison
Representative TUTTLE of Sanford
Representative WEAVER of York |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 14, 2009, 0100PM, Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 23, 2009, 1000AM Room 127 State House |
LD 1165: An Act To Improve Children's Safety in Public Swimming Pools Web Link to LD 1165
| Description: | The federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act requires all public swimming pools and public spas to be equipped with anti-entrapment devices, unblockable drains or safety vacuum release systems to prevent the entrapment of persons in the pool or spa.
This bill requires the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to enforce the provisions of that federal law, including closing any public pool or public spa that does not comply with the federal law. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative HUNT of Buxton | Cosponsors: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk
Representative EATON of Sullivan
Representative SIROIS of Turner |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Apr 13, 2009, 0900AM Room 209 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 15, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Office Building |
LD 1168: An Act To Allow the Taste Testing of Malt Liquor and Spirits Web Link to LD 1168
| Description: | This bill allows taste testing of distilled spirits in agency liquor stores and malt liquor in retail stores with off-premises licenses in the same manner and under the same conditions as wine taste testings are currently conducted. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative HARVELL of Farmington | Cosponsors: | Representative BOLAND of Sanford
Representative BUTTERFIELD of Bangor
Representative CLARK of Easton
Representative CORNELL du HOUX of Brunswick
Representative COTTA of China
Representative KAENRATH of South Portland
Representative SCHATZ of Blue Hill
Senator SIMPSON of Androscoggin
Representative TRINWARD of Waterville |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Apr 6, 2009, 0900AM, ROOM 437 STATE HOUSE |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 1185: An Act To Require Cause for Employment Termination Web Link to LD 1185
| Description: | This bill enacts the Maine Employment Termination Act. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin | Cosponsors: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative BRYANT of Windham
Representative BUTTERFIELD of Bangor
Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Representative RUSSELL of Portland
Representative STUCKEY of Portland
Representative WAGNER of Lewiston
Representative WEBSTER of Freeport |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | Apr 9, 2009, 0100PM, Room 220 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 27, 2009, 0100PM Room 220 Cross Building |
LD 1242: An Act To Streamline the Regulatory Process for Commercial Building Construction Projects Web Link to LD 1242
| Description: | This bill provides for the delegation of fire code permitting authority from the Department of Public Safety, Office of the State Fire Marshal to municipalities.
The bill amends the law concerning certain public building projects for which the Department of Public Safety provides plan reviews.
The bill amends the laws concerning project permits to allow the option of municipal review for those projects.
The bill creates a new section of law that outlines the circumstances that need to be satisfied before the Commissioner of Public Safety may delegate permitting authority to a municipality.
The bill also amends the law in order to adjust the payment of the current 5¢ plan review fee that is paid to the Department of Public Safety. It requires that if a municipality issues the permit, the municipality receives the 4¢ fee per square foot and the Department of Public Safety receives the 1¢ fee per square foot of the proposed project. There is no additional cost to the developer under this section. |
| Position: | | Status: | Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative HASKELL of Portland | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | CJ | Hearing: | May 1, 2009, 1000AM Room 436 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 8, 2009, 1000AM Room 436 State House |
LD 1251: An Act To Reduce the Cost of Permitting of Business Development Web Link to LD 1251
| Description: | This bill provides an income tax credit for certain studies, analyses and natural resource inventories required as part of certain major state environmental permitting laws. The credit is allowed only if the permit is granted and is based on the cost of the qualifying expenditures and the amount of new property value created. The results of studies must be available to the public. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative VAN WIE of New Gloucester | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAUDETTE of Biddeford
Senator BOWMAN of York
Representative FITTS of Pittsfield
Representative HINCK of Portland |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 27, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 4, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
LD 1259: An Act To Increase Access to Nutrition Information Web Link to LD 1259
| Description: | This bill requires a chain restaurant, which is a restaurant with the same trade name and the same type of food, meals and menus as 15 or more restaurants nationwide, to provide accurate calorie information on its menus, menu boards and food display labels for the food and beverage items it regularly sells, not including limited-time offers, condiments, items in sealed manufacturer’s packaging with nutrition information or custom orders. The bill also requires a chain restaurant to state on its menu and menu boards: "To maintain a healthy weight, a typical adult should consume approximately 2,000 calories per day; however, individual calorie needs may vary." This bill allows a chain restaurant to state on its menu and menu boards: "Nutrition information is based upon standard recipes and product formulations; however, modest variations may occur due to differences in preparation, serving sizes, ingredients or special orders." |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: OTP-AM, MIN: ONTP |
| Sponsor: | Speaker PINGREE of North Haven | Cosponsors: | Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland
Representative JONES of Mount Vernon
Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec
Representative MARTIN of Orono
Representative MILLER of Somerville
Senator MILLS of Somerset
Representative PERRY of Calais
Representative RANKIN of Hiram
Representative SANBORN of Gorham |
| Committee: | | Hearing: | May 5, 2009, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 12, 2009, 0300PM Room 209 Cross Office Building |
LD 1389: An Act To Create State and Regional Quality of Place Investment Strategies for High-value Jobs, Products and Services in Maine Web Link to LD 1389
| Description: | Part A establishes the Maine Quality of Place Council to act as a coordinating body for state and regional quality of place investment strategies. The council consists of state and regional public agency representatives and private citizens. Its responsibilities include working with other state agencies to recommend how state agencies may align their laws, programs and funding with a state quality of place investment strategy to support regional efforts and assessing how regional quality of place investment strategies align with state efforts. The council will also create performance measures to assess state and regional quality of place investment strategies. It will also award annually Maine Quality of Place Prosperity Awards recognizing the preservation, enhancing and marketing of Maine's quality of place assets to stimulate job creation and economic prosperity.
Part A also provides definitions for both state and regional quality of place investment strategies. It establishes a fund for implementing regional quality of place investment strategies. The fund will consist of any bond proceeds and any public and private contributions received for its purpose. This Part also requires applications for other state program funds to receive preference points if they are submitted as part of a regional quality of place investment strategy.
Part B requires regional planning and development districts that have in place a United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration comprehensive economic development strategy to develop a regional quality of place investment strategy by engaging regional sector leaders, setting priorities and leveraging public and private development activities and funds.
Part C requires the Executive Department, State Planning Office to provide assistance to the Maine Quality of Place Council, engage in public education regarding asset-based investment strategies and a state quality of place investment strategy and work with regional planning and development districts to aid them in development of regional quality of place investment strategies. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator DAMON of Hancock | Cosponsors: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Senator COURTNEY of York
Representative DUCHESNE of Hudson
Senator MILLS of Somerset
Representative PIOTTI of Unity
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot
Representative SMITH of Monmouth |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | May 5, 2009, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 12, 2009, 0200PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 1398: An Act To Amend the Aquaculture Laws Web Link to LD 1398
| Description: | This bill makes a number of changes to Maine's aquaculture statutes.
Currently, aquaculture leases that are terminated or revoked are permanently lost and there is no option for a new lessee to continue under the same terms and conditions. This bill creates a mechanism for the Commissioner of Marine Resources to solicit proposals for continued operations at the site for the remainder of the original lease term and under the same terms and conditions and to choose the most suitable proposal. A 2-week public comment period is provided, and fees, not to exceed $5,000, are set in rule. The bill amends the commissioner's rule-making authority to include the new lease assignment process.
The bill shortens the public comment period for transfer applications and removes the option of a hearing. The application fee is eliminated and a fee for transferring the lease is created in the case of a successful application.
The bill increases the limit on the size of an experimental lease from 2 acres to 4 acres.
The bill eliminates the prohibition on limited-purpose aquaculture licenses in intertidal waters as long as permission of the landowner is obtained and creates a nonresident limited-purpose aquaculture license. It establishes a $300 annual fee for nonresident limited-purpose aquaculture licenses.
The bill allows all persons to possess cultured marine organisms that do not meet the size or season requirements that wild product must meet. Appropriate documentation must be maintained and made available upon request of the Department of Marine Resources.
The bill eliminates a duplicative notice requirement regarding an aquaculture facility's use of antibiotics.
The bill creates a mechanism to assign lease options, which allow the holder to have first priority in applying for a lease in a particular location. Some other coastal users such as local fishermen or adjacent landowners would still be able to claim preference under the law and nullify the option, but the option would prevent other potential applicants that are not specifically given priority in law from moving forward with a lease application in the area until the option has expired. The department must assess whether the application for the option is in good faith and whether it will likely result in an aquaculture application in the area. Fees are charged per acre and are capped at $500 for the first acre and $50 for each additional acre.
The bill authorizes the commissioner to refuse to issue or renew a marine resources license, such as a fishing or wholesale license, to the holder of an aquaculture lease or license who has not paid legally required fees.
The bill authorizes the commissioner to require a license for the land-based culture of marine organisms. The bill authorizes possession of the cultured organisms, requires the department to monitor license holders and establish criteria for denial and revocation of licenses, specifies maximum fees and establishes reporting requirements.
The bill authorizes the department to remove and sell abandoned aquaculture gear or stock after the lease or license holder and anyone who has previously claimed ownership of the gear or stock has been notified and has failed to remove the gear or stock. Civil action against the lease or license holder to recover costs is authorized under certain circumstances.
The bill authorizes marine patrol officers to inspect aquaculture leases and associated vehicles, watercraft and buildings, except for residences.
The bill allows municipalities that choose to issue aquaculture permits to charge an application fee that reflects their costs. The bill clarifies the total acreage allowed under all permits in a municipality, requires municipalities to adopt ordinances to prevent speculative holding of permits, updates the maximum rental fee to match the Department of Marine Resources lease fee and clarifies that it is an annual rental fee and requires municipalities to submit an annual report to the department.
The bill adds aquaculture lease and license holders to the group of persons that the department may authorize to take green crabs without a commercial license. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 229 |
| Sponsor: | Representative EATON of Sullivan | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | MR | Hearing: | Apr 27, 2009, 0200PM Room 214 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 29, 2009, 0100PM Room 214 Cross Building |
LD 1413: Resolve, To Implement Select Recommendations of the Joint Select Committee on Future Maine Prosperity Web Link to LD 1413
| Description: | This resolve establishes the Commission To Improve the Business Climate in order to study all aspects of advancing the State's business climate through improving the efficiency, effectiveness and consistency of the State's regulatory systems, as well as improving the relationships between regulators and the regulated community
The commission is required to submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. The Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development is authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. |
| Position: | | Status: | Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative COHEN of Portland | Cosponsors: | Senator COURTNEY of York
Senator DAMON of Hancock
Representative GILES of Belfast
Representative HUNT of Buxton
Representative PIOTTI of Unity
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot
Representative SMITH of Monmouth |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Apr 16, 2009, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 6, 2009, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 1429: An Act To Strengthen the Workplace Smoking Laws and Other Laws Governing Smoking Web Link to LD 1429
| Description: | This bill does the following:
1. It prohibits designated smoking areas indoors in places of employment and provides a definition of permitted outdoor designated smoking areas;
2. It repeals the laws on smoking in hospitals, nursing homes and jury rooms that differed from the public place and workplace laws;
3. It clarifies in the laws governing workplace smoking that "business facility" may include a private residence or unit or apartment within a residential facility during the period of time that the private residence or unit or apartment is a place of employment; and
4. It clarifies that "residential facility" means a facility licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services. |
| Position: | | Status: | Signed, Jun 8, 2009 |
| Sponsor: | Senator MILLS of Somerset | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Apr 29, 2009, 0300PM Room 209 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 1, 2009, 1100AM Room 209 Cross Office Building |
LD 1441: An Act To Amend and Clarify the Application of the Laws Regarding Severance Pay Web Link to LD 1441
| Description: | This bill makes the following changes to the laws governing severance pay.
1. It makes changes to definitions.
2. It provides that certain provisions of the labor laws that apply to the payment of wages and penalties for the nonpayment of wages also apply to severance pay.
3. It provides a presumption that whenever an employer lays off 100 or more employees at a covered establishment, that layoff constitutes a termination of a part of that covered establishment.
4. It provides that severance pay may be paid from the Maine Wage Assurance Fund if an employer fails to timely pay severance pay. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator JACKSON of Aroostook | Cosponsors: | Senator BRYANT of Oxford
Representative BRYANT of Windham
Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield
Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Representative DRISCOLL of Westbrook
Representative EVES of North Berwick
Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln
Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls
Representative RUSSELL of Portland
Representative THERIAULT of Madawaska
Representative TUTTLE of Sanford |
| Committee: | Lab | Hearing: | May 6, 2009, 0100PM, Room 220 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 20, 2009, 0130PM, Room 220 Cross Building |
LD 1449: An Act To Expand Tax Incentives for Visual Media Productions Web Link to LD 1449
| Description: | This bill makes changes to the State's incentives to provide more effective strategies for attracting visual media productions to the State. It changes the references to "media production" to "visual media production." The existing income tax credit and reimbursement for certain production wages are replaced with a refundable income tax credit that is a percentage of direct production expenditures in the State. Eligible productions must be certified by the Department of Economic and Community Development. Productions with expenditures of more than $50,000 but less than $750,000 are eligible for an income tax credit of 10% of expenditures or 15% if the production company has been incorporated in the State for at least 2 years. A production company with eligible expenses of $750,000 or more is eligible for a base credit of 20% of eligible expenditures with incremental increases if the company hires at least 15% of its cast and crew in the State, spends at least 25% of the project time in certain counties or participates in an internship program overseen by the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism, Maine State Film Office. The Finance Authority of Maine is directed to establish a low-interest loan program for visual media production companies with visual media production expenses of $750,000 or greater that receive a visual media production certificate. |
| Position: | | Status: | Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative WATSON of Bath | Cosponsors: | Representative CORNELL du HOUX of Brunswick
Representative CROCKETT of Augusta
Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor
Representative LEGG of Kennebunk
Representative PERCY of Phippsburg
Representative PIOTTI of Unity
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Representative WEBSTER of Freeport |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | Apr 27, 2009, 0100PM Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 14, 2009, 0100PM, Room 127 State House |
LD 1473: An Act To Reaffirm Maine's Commitment to Business by Amending the Pine Tree Development Zone Laws Web Link to LD 1473
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to expand the eligibility for designation as a Pine Tree Development Zone, and the benefits available as a Pine Tree Development Zone, to the entire State. |
| Position: | | Status: | Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative SMITH of Monmouth | Cosponsors: | Representative AUSTIN of Gray
Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative COHEN of Portland
Representative GILES of Belfast
Representative HUNT of Buxton
Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay
Representative MARTIN of Orono
Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot
Senator SULLIVAN of York
Representative WRIGHT of Berwick |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | May 7, 2009, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 14, 2009, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |