Maine Interior Design Association
Howe, Cahill & Company's Legislative Report
Report sorted by Priority. Updated 6/9/09 9:50:46 AM.
View report by Committee (http://howeandcompany.com/legisweb/1219/committee.htm).
View report by General Status (http://howeandcompany.com/legisweb/1219/status.htm).
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Legislation Of Interest
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 53: An Act To Permit the Use of a Common Flue for Oil and Solid Fuel Burning Equipment Web Link to LD 53
| Description: | The bill prohibits the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Oil and Solid Fuel Board from adopting rules that prohibit the use of a common chimney flue for 2 appliances using different fuels. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 250 |
| Sponsor: | Representative MARTIN J L of Eagle Lake | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | CJ | Hearing: | Feb 25, 2009, 1000AM Room 436 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 3, 2009, 0100PM, Room 436 State House |
LD 62: An Act To Ensure an Adequate Time Frame within Which To Rebuild a Home Web Link to LD 62
| Description: | This bill prohibits an insurer of a home from requiring the homeowner to begin rebuilding the insured home in less than 36 months from the date of the loss by fire. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative PINKHAM of Lexington Township. | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Jan 27, 2009, 0100PM Room 427 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 3, 2009, 0100PM Room 427 State House |
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 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 156: An Act To Protect Consumers from the Unlicensed Practice of a Trade or Profession Web Link to LD 156
| Description: | This bill increases the civil penalty for the unlicensed practice of a trade or profession from not less than $100 and not more than $2,000 to not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 44 |
| Sponsor: | Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk | Cosponsors: | Senator PERRY J of Penobscot and
Senators CRAVEN of Androscoggin, HOBBINS of York, Representatives ADAMS of Portland, BEAUDOIN of Biddeford, CROCKETT P of Augusta, LEGG of Kennebunk, SMITH N of Monmouth, WAGNER J of Lyman |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Feb 10, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 5, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 181: An Act To Conform Building Standards in the Unorganized Territories with Federal Emergency Management Agency Requirements Web Link to LD 181
| Description: | This bill adds new language in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, sections 685-A and 685-B establishing permitting requirements affecting normal maintenance and repair and renovations to structures in special flood hazard areas within the State's unorganized and deorganized areas. The proposed revisions would allow communities in the unorganized and deorganized areas to be eligible for insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program within the Federal Emergency Management Agency. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 111 |
| Sponsor: | Senator JACKSON of Aroostook | Cosponsors: | Representative MARTIN J L of Eagle Lake |
| Committee: | AC&F | Hearing: | Feb 13, 2009, 1000AM Room 206, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 3, 2009, 0930AM, Room 206, 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 440: An Act Regarding Exceptions to the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code Web Link to LD 440
| Description: | This bill adds residential single family and 2-unit homes to the list of structures that are exempt from the requirements of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative CROCKETT of Bethel | Cosponsors: | Representative BURNS of Whiting
Representative CORNELL du HOUX of Brunswick
Representative DAVIS of Sangerville
Representative JOHNSON of Greenville
Representative SARTY of Denmark
Representative SYKES of Harrison |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Mar 31, 2009, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 3, 2009, 1000AM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 556: Resolve, Relating to Federal Stimulus Funds for Energy Programs Web Link to LD 556
| Description: | This resolve, reported by the Joint Select Committee on Maine's Energy Future pursuant to Joint Order 2009, H.P. 63, provides for legislative review and approval of state spending of expected federal economic stimulus funds designated for energy purposes. |
| Position: | | Status: | Resolve, Chapter 1 |
| Sponsor: | Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 652: An Act To Clarify the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code Web Link to LD 652
| Description: | This bill amends the law governing the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code.
1. It specifically provides that a local ordinance is not inconsistent with the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code if the local ordinance implements a provision of one of the national codes upon which the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code was based, but that was not included in the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code.
2. It specifically exempts municipalities that are enforcing the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code through 3rd-party inspections pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25, section 2373 from the provision of law requiring the inspector of buildings to inspect construction for compliance with the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code.
3. It specifies that the inspector of buildings may issue a certificate of occupancy upon receipt of an inspection report by a certified 3rd-party inspector and that the municipality is not obligated to review such a report for accuracy.
4. It changes from June 1, 2010 to July 1, 2010 the date by which a municipality that has adopted a building code by August 1, 2008 must begin enforcement of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code.
5. It requires the Executive Department, State Planning Office to publish a list by January 1, 2010 of those municipalities that must begin enforcement of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code by July 1, 2010.
6. It specifies that, for purposes of determining an enforcement date, life safety and fire codes are not considered building codes.
7. It directs the Technical Building Codes and Standards Board to review issues regarding the 3rd-party inspector concept and make any recommendations that will enhance the viability of this enforcement option. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 261 |
| Sponsor: | Representative GILES of Belfast | Cosponsors: | Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland
Representative THIBODEAU of Winterport |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Mar 31, 2009, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 3, 2009, 1000AM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 1102: An Act To Establish the Maine Science Advisory Board Web Link to LD 1102
| Description: | This bill establishes the Maine Science Advisory Board. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator SMITH of Piscataquis | Cosponsors: | Representative FLETCHER of Winslow
Senator SHERMAN of Aroostook |
| Committee: | S&LG | Hearing: | Apr 6, 2009, 0930AM Room 216 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 13, 2009, 0100PM Room 216 Cross Office Building |