Maine Innkeepers Association
Howe, Cahill & Company's Legislative Report
Report sorted by Committee. Updated 3/30/2012 9:12:18 AM.
View report by Priority (http://howeandcompany.com/legisweb/1205/index.htm).
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(c) 2012 Howe, Cahill & Company, may not be reproduced without written permission.
For more information on a bill's status, click on the underlined Web Link.
Not Assigned to a Committee:
LD 1889: An Act To Amend the Liquor Laws of the State Web Link to LD 1889
| Description: | This bill provides for administrative streamlining in the processing of liquor licenses. The bill amends provisions related to manufacturer licenses to provide for greater consistency with regard to taste testing and the provision of samples and other regulatory requirements. The bill changes from 6% to 8% the maximum volume of alcohol for a product to be considered a low-alcohol spirits product. It clarifies the definition of "incorporated civic organization" and expands donation allowances to permit donations to incorporated civic organizations issued a license for an on-premises event open to the public. The bill also repeals obsolete provisions. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Senator FARNHAM of Penobscot | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee:
LD 851: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Invest in Railroads To Reduce the Cost of Shipping to Maine Businesses, Attract Tourists to Maine and Facilitate the Development of Commuter Rail Transportation To Reduce the Use of Oil in Maine Web Link to LD 851
| Description: | The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $25,000,000, will be used to provide funds for railroad reconstruction and expansion that the business sector considers vital to the shipment of goods and the ability of the business community to compete. It requires that the Department of Transportation consult with the business and economic development sector to develop a list of priorities in regard to railroad construction and reconstruction projects focusing on projects important to tourism and projects with greatest visibility for increased commuter and passenger rail service and taking into consideration the extent that proposed projects reduce the consumption of oil.
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Bond Issues Term (years) Principal Rate (%) Interest Total Cost
General Fund - Non-Taxable 10 $25,000,000 5.0% $6,875,000 $31,875,000
Referendum Costs Month/Year Election Type Question Length
Nov-11 General Bond Issue Standard
The Secretary of State's budget includes sufficient funds to accommodate one ballot of average length for the general election in November. If the number or size of the referendum questions requires production and delivery of a second ballot, an additional appropriation of $107,250 may be required. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over |
| Sponsor: | Senator HOBBINS of York | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Senator BLISS of Cumberland
Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland
Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin
Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland
Senator HILL of York
Representative HOGAN of Old Orchard Beach
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Senator PATRICK of Oxford |
| Committee: | A&FA | Hearing: | Friday, February 24, 2012 10:00 AM,Room 228 - State House |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee:
LD 1744: An Act To Require Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Additional Residential Facilities Web Link to LD 1744
| Description: | This bill requires that the owner of a hotel, motel, inn or bed and breakfast licensed after the effective date of this legislation or a fraternity or sorority house or dormitory established after the effective date of this legislation install carbon monoxide detectors. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Feb 10, 2012, Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative HASKELL of Portland | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | CJ | Hearing: | * Jan 23, 2012, 1000AM, Room 436 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 3, 2012, 1030AM, Room 436 State House |
Environmental and Natural Resources Committee:
LD 1648: An Act To Clarify the Site Location of Development Laws Regarding Exemptions for Previously Developed Sites Web Link to LD 1648
| Description: | Current law provides that developments that are in existence, authorized, licensed or under construction prior to specified dates are exempted from the laws governing site location of development. This bill specifies that any modification, change in use or addition to such a development or to a development on a military base similarly exempt does not affect the exemption. |
| Position: | | Status: | WORK SESSION, Feb 14, 2012, Tabled |
| Sponsor: | Senator SAVIELLO of Franklin | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | ENR | Hearing: | Jan 18, 2012, 0900AM, Room 216, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1738: An Act To Make Minor Adjustments to Laws Administered by the Department of Environmental Protection Web Link to LD 1738
| Description: | This bill makes minor changes to the laws administered by the Department of Environmental Protection to remove inconsistencies and inefficiencies and make grammatical changes.
The bill makes 2 substantive changes. The term of an air emission license is changed from 5 years to 10 years, with certain exceptions, including a term of 5 years for a license for an air contaminant source subject to the provisions of 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 70 and no term for a license issued pursuant to the carbon dioxide cap-and-trade program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 580-B. The bill clarifies that the Commissioner of Environmental Protection need not provide notice and opportunity for hearing before recommending that the board modify or take corrective action. The board's process, in Title 38, section 341-D, subsection 3, provides opportunity for hearing. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Feb 1, 2012, Ant. Div. Rep. |
| Sponsor: | Representative HAMPER of Oxford | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | ENR | Hearing: | Jan 24, 2012, 0900AM, Room 216, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Jan 31, 2012, 0100PM, Room 216, Cross Building |
LD 1768: An Act To Improve the Department of Environmental Protection's Annual Waste Discharge License Fee System Web Link to LD 1768
| Description: | his bill revises the Department of Environmental Protection’s annual waste discharge fee system. It eliminates the base fee, the fee for quantities of pollutants actually discharged or licensed to be discharged, the annualized license renewal service fee, the initial dilution fee and the multiple discharge point fee. In place of these fees it establishes for existing licensees a fee based on the average of the licensee's 2009 and 2010 bill amounts or a fee based on the licensee's 2011 bill amount, depending on the discharge group. It establishes for new licensees an annual fee based on the median fee of all licensees within the new licensee's discharge group. It establishes that, if no discharge occurs for an entire year, the fee is reduced to 25% of the annual fee. It establishes that an annual fee may be modified by a percentage that is equivalent to the percentage of any change to the licensed discharge flow. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 24, 2012, Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative KNAPP of Gorham | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | ENR | Hearing: | Jan 24, 2012, 0900AM, Room 216, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1793: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 375: No Adverse Environmental Effect Standard of the Site Location Law, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental Protection Web Link to LD 1793
| Description: | This resolve provides for legislative review of portions of Chapter 375: No Adverse Environmental Effect Standard of the Site Location Law, a major substantive rule of the Department of Environmental Protection. |
| Position: | | Status: | Committee Report: Feb 28, 2012, Ought to Pass |
| Sponsor: | Representative HAMPER of Oxford | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | ENR | Hearing: | Feb 8, 2012, 0100PM, Room 216, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1797: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 305: Permit by Rule, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental Protection Web Link to LD 1797
| Description: | This resolve provides for legislative review of portions of Chapter 305: Permit by Rule, a major substantive rule of the Department of Environmental Protection. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Feb 15, 2012, Ant. Div. Rep. |
| Sponsor: | Representative HAMPER of Oxford | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | ENR | Hearing: | Wednesday, February 15, 2012 1:00 PM,Room 216, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Health and Human Services Committee:
LD 1823: An Act To Allow the Maine Wild Mushroom Harvesting Certification Program To Be Self-funded Web Link to LD 1823
| Description: | This bill increases the maximum fees for training, examination and certification under the Maine Wild Mushroom Harvesting Certification Program within the Department of Health and Human Services from $20 to $75 to permit the program to be funded solely from the revenue from program fees. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:WORK SESSION, Mar 8, 2012, Tabled |
| Sponsor: | Representative SIROCKI of Scarborough | Cosponsors: | Representative O'CONNOR of Berwick
Representative PARKER of Veazie |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Tuesday, March 6, 2012 2:00 PM,Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1829: An Act To Require Photographic Identification for Prescriptions for Certain Controlled Substances Web Link to LD 1829
| Description: | This bill is a recommendation from the Substance Abuse Services Commission's work group convened pursuant to Resolve 2011, chapter 81 and is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Order 2011, H.P. 1328. This bill requires a pharmacist or person acting at the direction of a pharmacist to demand, inspect and record proof of identification before filling a prescription for a controlled substance. For the purposes of this bill, "controlled substance" means a drug or other substance included in schedules II, III or IV of 21 United States Code, Section 812 or 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1308. |
| Position: | | Status: | Committee Report: Mar 13, 2012, Ought Not to Pass |
| Sponsor: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Tuesday, March 6, 2012 2:00 PM,Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1851: An Act To Amend the Laws Concerning Municipal Inspections of Establishments Web Link to LD 1851
| Description: | The purpose of this bill is to remove language that prohibits a municipality from licensing eating establishments. The bill also corrects a conflict created by Public Law 2011, chapters 193 and 295, which affected the same provision of law. The bill repeals the provision and replaces it with the chapter 295 version. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:EXT APPROVED, Mar 16, 2012 |
| Sponsor: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Tuesday, March 20, 2012 1:00 PM,Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Judiciary Committee:
LD 1530: An Act To Amend the Housing Provisions of the Maine Human Rights Act Web Link to LD 1530
| Description: | This bill amends the Maine Human Rights Act in order to maintain its substantial equivalency with the federal Fair Housing Act and to update the accessible building requirements in public housing. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over VOTED, Jan 10, 2012, Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Senator HASTINGS of Oxford | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | Judic | Hearing: | May 10, 2011, 0130PM, Room 438 State House |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1647: An Act To Define "Person Aggrieved" in Proceedings before the Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission Web Link to LD 1647
| Description: | This bill provides a definition of "person aggrieved" in the laws governing the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection. It also provides that a person aggrieved, rather than an interested party, may seek to supplement the record in an appeal to the Board of Environmental Protection. |
| Position: | | Status: | VOTED, Feb 16, 2012, Ant. Div. Rep. |
| Sponsor: | Senator SAVIELLO of Franklin | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | Judic | Hearing: | * Feb 2, 2012, 0100PM, Room 438 State House |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee:
LD 323: An Act To Implement a Coordinated Strategy To Attract New Businesses, Expand Existing Businesses and Develop a Consistent and Recognizable Maine Brand Web Link to LD 323
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to establish a public-private partnership at the state level with responsibility for the development and delivery of a comprehensive, coordinated and coherent strategy for economic development in Maine. This private-public partnership shall work with regional and local economic development councils and businesses to provide an array of services to companies seeking to locate or expand in Maine.
This bill proposes the development of a “Maine brand” to consistently promote the quality of life in Maine, the quality of Maine recreation and vacation experiences and the quality of Maine-made products.
This bill proposes to examine existing economic development programs and appropriations and allocations to each and to redirect funds to support a coherent strategy and maximize positive outcomes. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over VOTED, Feb 9, 2012, Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative VOLK of Scarborough | Cosponsors: | Representative DOW of Waldoboro
Senator JACKSON of Aroostook
Representative OLSEN of Phippsburg
Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham
Senator RECTOR of Knox |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | Mar 22, 2011, 0100PM, Room 208, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 384: An Act To Provide Incentives To Foster Economic Growth and Build Infrastructure in the State Web Link to LD 384
| Description: | This bill establishes the Tourism and Industry Film Production Cash Rebate Program in the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism. The purpose of the program is to attract film production companies to Maine by providing cash rebates for certain expenses of the film production company. In order to qualify, the company must spend at least $50,000 for direct production costs in Maine and at least $250,000 in investment in infrastructure in this State and have ties to Maine, such as using a Maine bank and payroll processor. The amount of the available rebate ranges from 27% of the expenses related to infrastructure to 51% of the costs of training and employment of Maine residents. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Feb 7, 2012, Ant. Div. Rep. |
| Sponsor: | Representative PICCHIOTTI of Fairfield | Cosponsors: | Representative HARVELL of Farmington
Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls
Senator MARTIN of Kennebec
Representative MITCHELL of the Penobscot Nation
Representative MORISSETTE of Winslow
Representative SANDERSON of Chelsea
Senator TRAHAN of Lincoln
Senator WHITTEMORE of Somerset |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | Mar 10, 2011, 0100PM, Room 208, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Tuesday, February 7, 2012 2:30 PM,Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 1437: An Act To Implement Recommendations on Reinventing Government Web Link to LD 1437
| Description: | This bill proposes to establish a process by which more profound changes in governance and public policy in Maine can be advanced and implemented. It is intended to accomplish the more fundamental system reforms that elude the traditional legislative process.
This bill proposes a review of work produced over the past 5 years and more by numerous study groups that have convened to assess Maine’s policy environment, government systems and public sector costs, with the objective of creating a more prosperous Maine economy. The reports that have emerged from these efforts have been widely praised and overlap substantially in their recommendations, yet the pathways from concept to implementation have been often elusive and ineffective. In the mainstream legislative process, it is too easy for the aggregated influence of more narrowly defined interests to impede the advancement of broader societal aims.
Among the more comprehensive studies and reports produced in recent years are the Brookings Institution report, Charting Maine’s Future; Time for Change, the Final Report of the Joint Select Committee on Future Maine Prosperity; Measures of Growth in Focus 2011 by the Maine Economic Growth Council; the 2part series on Making Maine Work by the Maine Development Foundation and Maine State Chamber of Commerce; and Reinventing Maine Government by Envision Maine. Other organizations and policy experts that have advanced concepts for largescale policy reform are associated with the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine, the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine, the Maine Heritage Policy Center, the Maine Center for Economic Policy, the Alliance for Maine’s Future, Grow Smart Maine, the Maine Public Spending Research Group and others.
This bill is not intended as a replication of these past analytic efforts, though it includes a careful review and evaluation of past work. Instead, the emphasis of the bill is on translating past work into specific implementable changes in governance and policy and laying out a process that accomplishes those changes.
The bill proposes the appointment of a highprofile Commission on Reinventing Maine Government. The commission would be composed of established statesmen and stateswomen who have earned broad respect for their leadership, vision and commitment to Maine, who reflect a range of views and experience and who are sufficiently removed from government to have no direct interest in any particular set of changes. Each appointment to the commission should contribute to the group’s credibility among Maine citizens and knowledge of how large organizations or governments function.
While the commission will review the many reports produced by past study groups to identify the substantive areas where legislative language might be crafted, the mission and product of the commission is not a new report, or even a compilation of previous reports. The goal of the commission will be to produce practical and specific legislation that would accomplish largescale reform in governance and government structure and policy. Those recommendations may encompass the organizational structures of government, the diverse programs and responsibilities of government, the revenue sources and spending composition of government and other related areas of public policy.
The legislation recommended by the commission would be treated by the Legislature in the same manner as a citizeninitiated referendum. Thus the Legislature could either pass the recommended legislation, as presented, or send the legislation directly to referendum. Because of the magnitude of change envisioned by the bill, the referendum approach is encouraged as a way to solidify and deepen the public credibility and acceptance of the reforms. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over VOTED, Feb 9, 2012, Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Senator WOODBURY of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Representative CAIN of Orono
Representative HAYES of Buckfield
Senator HILL of York
Senator HOBBINS of York
Senator KATZ of Kennebec
Senator LANGLEY of Hancock
Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Representative VOLK of Scarboroug |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | Jan 24, 2012, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1571: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Workers' Compensation Web Link to LD 1571
| Description: | This bill amends provisions of the Maine Workers' Compensation Act of 1992 and procedures of the Workers' Compensation Board.
1. It amends the law to provide for full reimbursement to an employer from proceeds paid by a 3rd party.
2. It amends the selection process for the Workers' Compensation Board. Under current law, the 3 representatives of labor on the board must be appointed from a list provided by a bona fide labor organization or association of employees. This bill instead requires that one of the 3 labor members be appointed from that list; the other 2 labor representatives must be appointed at the discretion of the Governor.
3. It repeals the troubleshooter program established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 39A, section 153, subsection 2.
4. It amends the mediation provision to require that mediation be requested both by the employer and the employee.
5. It eliminates the board's audit and enforcement oversight of the Maine Insurance Guaranty Association.
6. It amends the law to address the decision in Roy v. Bath Iron Works, 2008 ME 94, to specifically provide that a subsequent nonwork injury, independent of any workrelated injury, and unrelated to any workrelated injury, that results in total disability results in a cessation of benefits for the duration of the disability.
7. It specifies that, if an award has been entered, the employer, insurer or group selfinsurer may petition the board for a reduction and may not reduce or discontinue benefits until the issuance of a decree by a hearing officer, after which benefits may be reduced or discontinued pending an appeal from the hearing officer's decree.
8. It eliminates the requirement that a physician have an active practice in order to be qualified to conduct a medical examination.
9. It provides that if an employee chooses to have a physician present at an employerrequired examination, the employee must pay the cost of that physician.
10. Under current law, in establishing standards, schedules or scales of maximum charges, the board is required to consider maximum charges paid by private 3rdparty payors. This bill requires the board to base those standards, schedules or scales on reasonably and customarily negotiated charges between health care providers and 3rdparty insurers and requires that if standards are not established by October 1, 2011, then charges customarily paid by MaineCare apply.
11. It amends the laws governing compensation for partial incapacity.
A. Under current law, the compensation must be paid for the duration of the disability if the employee's permanent impairment resulting from the personal injury is in excess of 15%; if the permanent impairment is equal to or less than 15%, the employee may not receive compensation for more than 260 weeks unless the board extends the duration of benefit entitlement beyond 260 weeks due to extreme financial hardship.
B. This bill instead provides that, for injuries occurring from January 1, 2006 to September 30, 2011, compensation must be paid for the duration of the disability if the employee’s permanent impairment is in excess of 11%; for injuries occurring on or after October 1, 2011, an employee may not receive compensation for more than 52 weeks, if there is no permanent impairment resulting from the injury or if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is not in excess of 3%; 104 weeks, if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is in excess of 3% but not in excess of 6%; 156 weeks, if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is in excess of 6% but not in excess of 9%; 208 weeks, if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is in excess of 9% but not in excess of 12%; 260 weeks, if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is in excess of 12% but not in excess of 15%; 312 weeks, if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is in excess of 15% but not in excess of 18%; 364 weeks, if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is in excess of 18% but not in excess of 21%; 416 weeks, if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is in excess of 21% but not in excess of 24%; 468 weeks, if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is in excess of 24% but not in excess of 27%; and 520 weeks, if the permanent impairment resulting from the injury is in excess of 27%. This bill also eliminates the board’s ability to extend the duration of benefit entitlement in cases of extreme financial hardship.
12. It repeals provisions of the law requiring the board to adjust the 15% impairment threshold, dates of injury and extension of the period of benefit limitation.
13. It provides that an employee who is otherwise retired is not presumed to have a loss of earnings or earning capacity regardless of whether the employee terminates active employment.
14. It amends the statute of limitations periods when no first report of injury is required to be filed.
15. It amends the law to address the decision in Larochelle v. Crest Shoe, 655 A. 2d 1245 (Me 1995) to specify that overpayments made during the pendancy of a motion for findings of fact and conclusions of law must be repaid.
16. It prohibits the board from assessing a fine against an employer or insurer in excess of $25,000 unless the employer or insurer intentionally and fraudulently failed to pay compensation.
17. It provides that, for injuries occurring after January 1, 2005, lumpsum attorney's fees are paid on the indemnity portion of a settlement.
18. It prohibits the assessment of an attorney's fee for the amount of any settlement intended to pay for current or future medical costs.
19. It repeals provisions regarding the Supplemental Benefits Fund, which was established to reimburse payments of compensation to employees under provisions governing extended benefits for partial incapacity that are repealed in this bill. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over |
| Sponsor: | Representative CUSHING of Hampden | Cosponsors: | Senator COURTNEY of York
Representative CURTIS of Madison
Representative FITTS of Pittsfield
Representative McKANE of Newcastle
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
Senator THIBODEAU of Waldo |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | Friday, February 17, 2012 1:00 PM,Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1675: Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Facilitate the Development of Unoccupied Mills Web Link to LD 1675
| Description: | This resolve establishes the Task Force To Facilitate the Development of Unoccupied Mills. The purpose of the task force is to help municipalities with unoccupied mills to develop the sites and to help improve their local economies. |
| Position: | | Status: | Committee Report: Mar 2, 2012, MAJ: Ought to Pass as Amended, MIN: Ought Not to Pass |
| Sponsor: | Senator HOBBINS of York | Cosponsors: | Senator SULLIVAN of York |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | Jan 19, 2012, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Tuesday, February 7, 2012 2:30 PM,Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 1695: An Act To Provide Additional In-store Space for Maine's Businesses by Removing License and Permit Posting Requirements Web Link to LD 1695
| Description: | This bill eliminates the administrative burden of publicly displaying certain permits and licenses and the use of space for the display of those licenses and permits that could be otherwise used, including sales tax registration certificates, retail tobacco licenses, including those required to be displayed on tobacco vending machines, retail food establishment licenses, licenses for the sale of liquor and any license or permit issued by a municipality. Instead of displaying the license or permit, a licensee or permittee must make the license or permit available on demand at the premises or at the licensee's or permittee's primary place of business. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 19, 2012, Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham | Cosponsors: | Representative BENNETT of Kennebunk
Senator LANGLEY of Hancock
Senator MARTIN of Kennebec
Representative McKANE of Newcastle
Representative OLSEN of Phippsburg
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Senator SNOWE-MELLO of Androscoggin
Representative VOLK of Scarborough |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | Jan 19, 2012, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1787: An Act To Create Efficiencies in the Administration and Enforcement of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code Web Link to LD 1787
| Description: | The purpose of this bill is to create efficiencies in the administration and enforcement of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, primarily by abolishing the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Building Codes and Standards and moving its authority and responsibilities to a new division created in the Office of the State Fire Marshal. This bill also corrects cross-references and inconsistencies in the threshold for municipal populations to which the provisions of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code apply. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Mar 1, 2012, Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:00 PM,Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1885: An Act To Amend the Laws Pertaining to the Maine Economic Improvement Fund Web Link to LD 1885
| Description: | This bill directs the Board of Trustees of the University of Maine System to apportion a minimum of 3% of the annual disbursements from the Maine Economic Improvement Fund among the University of Maine at Augusta, the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the University of Maine at Machias and the University of Maine at Presque Isle to support research and development. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative TILTON of Harrington | Cosponsors: | Representative BURNS of Whiting
President RAYE of Washington
Representative WILLETTE of Presque Isle
Representative WINSOR of Norway
Representative WOOD of Sabattus |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Marine Resources Committee:
LD 1654: An Act To Establish the Seafood Export Certification Program Web Link to LD 1654
| Description: | This bill establishes the Seafood Export Certification Program in the Department of Marine Resources to allow the department, in conjunction with the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to inspect and certify seafood and issue certificates of compliance necessary to meet international export standards. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Mar 1, 2012, Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Senator LANGLEY of Hancock | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAVERS of South Berwick
Representative CHAPMAN of Brooksville
Representative LUCHINI of Ellsworth
Representative MALABY of Hancock
Representative OLSEN of Phippsburg
Representative PARRY of Arundel
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Senator SNOWE-MELLO of Androscoggin
Representative TILTON of Harrington |
| Committee: | MR | Hearing: | Jan 19, 2012, 0100PM, Room 214 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Thursday, March 1, 2012 1:00 PM,Room 214 Cross Building |
State and Local Government Committee:
LD 543: An Act To Protect Legislative Intent in Rulemaking Web Link to LD 543
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill requires the review of agency rule-making authority and establishes clearer distinctions between major substantive rules and routine technical rules to ensure that legislative grants of rule-making authority are clear and specific enough to not result in agency misunderstanding of legislative intent or overly broad construction of the grant of rule-making authority. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over Latest Committee Report: Jan 31, 2012, MAJ: Ought to Pass as Amended, MIN: Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham | Cosponsors: | cosonsors listed at the following location::
http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/sponsors.asp?ID=280039724 |
| Committee: | S&LG | Hearing: | Apr 27, 2011, 0100PM, Room 214 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Taxation Committee:
LD 1535: An Act Relating to Fiscal Notes on Proposed Legislation Web Link to LD 1535
| Description: | This bill requires the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review to prepare a dynamic fiscal note for any legislation that involves a tax expenditure or an increase or decrease in tax revenue resulting in a projected direct annual revenue impact of more than $1,000,000. The dynamic fiscal note must include an analysis of the anticipated effects of any significant behavioral changes expected as a result of the legislation, excluding those reflected in the standard fiscal note, and must analyze any significant secondary and indirect economic effects of the legislation, including the effects on jobs, incomes and capital investment as well as the overall effect on the State's economy. Dynamic fiscal notes are for informational purposes only. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 5, 2012, Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls | Cosponsors: | Representative BENNETT of Kennebunk
Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative CHASE of Wells
Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor
Representative HARMON of Palermo
Representative MALABY of Hancock
Representative NEWENDYKE of Litchfield
Representative PILON of Saco
Senator TRAHAN of Lincoln |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | * May 9, 2011, 1000AM, 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1730: An Act To Require the Review of Proposed Tax Expenditures Web Link to LD 1730
| Description: | This bill creates a review process to be performed by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters prior to the enactment of legislation or approval of a legislative initiative that would result in a new tax expenditure or a change that prolongs or expands an existing tax expenditure. The bill requires that committee to consider the groups and numbers of taxpayers affected, the public policy objectives that provide justification for the proposed tax expenditure, fiscal impact projections related to the proposed tax expenditure, effects the proposed tax expenditure may have on the economy, unintended benefits or negative consequences of the proposed tax expenditure, similar tax expenditures in other states, standards of accountability or reporting requirements related to the proposed tax expenditure, methods for evaluating the proposed tax expenditure and mechanisms for recapturing the proposed tax expenditure if objectives are not fulfilled. The bill requires proposals for a new tax expenditure or a change that prolongs or expands an existing tax expenditure to include a repeal date and a review process for the tax expenditure. The bill requires the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over a proposal for a new tax expenditure or a change that prolongs or expands an existing tax expenditure to seek an advisory opinion from the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters prior to enacting legislation or recommending a legislative initiative that would result in a new tax expenditure or a change that prolongs or expands an existing tax expenditure. |
| Position: | | Status: | Committee Report: Feb 15, 2012, Ought Not to Pass |
| Sponsor: | Senator HASTINGS of Oxford | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | * Feb 2, 2012, 0100PM, Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Transportation Committee:
LD 1661: Resolve, To Allow Signs along Interstate 95 for the Town of Kittery and Its Businesses and Other Establishments Web Link to LD 1661
| Description: | This resolve directs the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs in Kittery on Interstate 95 that direct travelers to locations of businesses and other establishments in the town, since Memorial Bridge between Kittery and New Hampshire has closed. |
| Position: | | Status: | Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 9, 2012, Leave to Withdraw Approved by Chairs |
| Sponsor: | Senator HILL of York | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAVERS of South Berwick |
| Committee: | Trans | Hearing: | Leave to Withdraw Approved by Chairs |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee:
LD 1612: An Act Relating to the Liquor Laws Governing Off-premises Catering at Planned Public Events or Gatherings Web Link to LD 1612
| Description: | This bill permits a licensee holding an off-premises catering license to conduct taste testing of beer and wine at a public event or gathering sponsored by a charitable, nonprofit organization or civic group. Volunteers for the sponsoring organization are permitted to pour samples for taste testing and event tickets are permitted to be sold in advance and at the door. |
| Position: | | Status: | VOTED, Feb 1, 2012, Ought Not to Pass |
| Sponsor: | Representative HARMON of Palermo | Cosponsors: | Senator COURTNEY of York
Representative LONGSTAFF of Waterville
Representative McKANE of Newcastle
Speaker NUTTING of Oakland
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
Senator SNOWE-MELLO of Androscoggin
Senator THIBODEAU of Waldo
Representative TURNER of Burlington
Representative WILLETTE of Mapleton |
| Committee: | V&LA | Hearing: | Feb 1, 2012, 1000AM, Room 437 State House |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |