Representative Lydia Blume

Organization	Score	Source
Maine People's Alliance (MPA), 2019	10 of 10	Maine People's Alliance, 2019
Maine People's Alliance, Will of the Voters, 2018	82%	Maine People's Alliance Will of the Voters, 2018
Maine People's Alliance, 2018	92%	Maine People's Alliance, 2018
Maine Conservation Voters (MCV), 2019	7 of 7	Maine Conservation Voters, 2019
Maine Conservation Voters, 2018	7 of 8, 1 absence	Maine Conservation Voters, 2018
Maine Conservation Voters, 2017	6 of 7, 1 absence	Maine Conservation Voters, 2017
Maine AFL-CIO, 2019	10 of 10	AFL-CIO, 2019
Maine AFL-CIO, 2017	80%	No longer available online
Maine Women's Lobby, 2019	7 of 7	Maine Women's Lobby, 2019
Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, 2019	6 of 6	Planned Parenthood ME Action Fund, 2019
Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, 2017	100%	Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, 2017
Firearms Control, 2019	7 of 7	This website, see below for roll calls included.

Scorecards are an organization's means of holding legislators accountable to the organization's interests and values. Each organization chooses a subset of bills that are a priority for them, and then scores each legislator by the legislator's vote relative to what would be the organization's preferred vote on the bill.

For a listing of the votes included on scorecards prior to 2019, see the hyperlinked sources given in the table above or the "Explanations, Legislative Scorecards" tab on this site. For 2019 scorecards, see the hyperlinked site given in the table above or the vote detail below, "Roll Call Vote Detail for 2019 Scorecards."

The graphs below are frequency histograms that show this representative's score relative to the scores of all representatives by placing an "X" over this representative's score. In all graphs, D is Democrat (blue), R is Republican (red) and Ind is Independent (black). For graphs prior to 2019, additional parties include Common Sense Independent (goldenrod) and Green Independent (green).

Maine People's Alliance Will of the Voters graph

Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund 2019 graph

Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund 2017 graph

Roll Call	Bill	Motion	MPA vote	Representative's vote
16	LD 179 An Act to Change the Name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass	Yea	Yea
250	LD 255 Resolution, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Require that Signatures on a Direct Initiative Come from Each Congressional District	Final Passage as a Constitutional Amendment (requires 2/3 of membership)	Nay	Nay
272	LD 308 An Act to Increase Notification Time Periods for Rent Increases and Terminations of Tenancies at Will	Reconsider passage after Governor's veto	Yea	Yea
75	LD 369 An Act to Support Healthy Workplaces and Healthy Families by Providing Paid Sick Leave to Certain Employees	Accept Committee Report A, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment S-79	Yea	Yea
278	LD 420 An Act to Amend the Maine Exclusion Amount in the Estate Tax	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-610	Yea	Yea
70	LD 820 An Act to Prevent Discrimination in Public and Private Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women in Maine	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-210	Yea	Yea
237	LD 949 An Act to Prevent Overdose Deaths	Accept Majority Report, Ought Not to Pass	Nay	Nay
306	LD 1177 An Act to Improve Public Sector Labor Relations	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment S-308	Yea	Yea
182	LD 1282 An Act to Establish a Green New Deal for Maine	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-413	Yea	Yea
307	LD 1317 An Act to Restore Services to Help Certain Noncitizens Meet Their Basic Needs	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-248	Yea	Yea
	Total for Representative Blume:	Present for 10 votes, agreed on 10 votes, 100 percent agreement

Roll Call	Bill	Motion	MCV vote	Representative's vote
37	LD 289 An Act to Prohibit the Use of Certain Disposable Food Service Containers	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-49	Yea	Yea
293	LD 1494 An Act to Reform Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-49	Yea	Yea
157	LD 1532 An Act to Eliminate Single-use Plastic Carry-out Bags	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-392	Yea	Yea
209	LD 1679 An Act to Promote Clean Energy Jobs and to Establish the Maine Climate Council	Enact as an Emergency measure (2/3 of members required)	Yea	Yea
282	LD 1711 An Act to Promote Solar Energy Projects and Distributed Generation Resources in Maine	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment S-295	Yea	Yea
208	LD 1775 An Act to Protect Sustenance Fishing	Enact	Yea	Yea
329	LD 1851 An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Land Conservation, Water Access, Outdoor Recreation, Wildlife and Fish Habitats and Farmland and Working Waterfront Preservation	Enact as a bond issue (requires 2/3 present)	Yea	Yea
	Total for Representative Blume:	Present for 7 votes, agreed on 7 votes, 100 percent agreement

Roll Call	Bill	Motion	AFL-CIO vote	Representative's vote
227	LD 240 An Act To Allow Public Employers of Teachers to Negotiate Regarding Educational Policies	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as amended by Committee amendment H-518	Yea	Yea
75	LD 369 An Act To Support Healthy Workplaces and Healthy Families by Providing Earned Paid Sick Leave to Certain Employees	Accept Committee Report A, Ought to Pass as amended by Commitee amendment S-79	Yea	Yea
306	LD 1177 An Act To Improve Public Sector Labor Relations	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as amended by Committee amendment S-308	Yea	Yea
111	LD 1232 An Act To Ensure the Right To Work without Payment of Dues or Fees to a Labor Union as a Condition of Employment	Accept Majority Report, Ought Not to Pass	Yea	Yea
182	LD 1282 An Act To Establish a Green New Deal for Maine	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as amended by Committee amendment H-413	Yea	Yea
120	LD 1459 An Act To Expand Application of the Maine Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining Act of 1973 to Harvesters and Haulers of Forest Products	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass	Yea	Yea
206	LD 1524 An Act To Prevent Wage Theft and Promote Employer Accountability	Enact LD 1524 as amended by Commitee amendment S-203	Yea	Yea
195	LD 1560 An Act Regarding Utility Reorganizations	Enact LD 1560 as amended by Committee amendment S-192 as an emergency measure	Yea	Yea
156	LD 1564 An Act To Authorize Project Labor Agreements for Public Works Projects	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as amended by Committee amendment S-158	Yea	Yea
190	LD 1658 An Act To Clarify Prevailing Wage Rates on State Projects Using Federal Funds	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as amended by Committee amendment S-200	Yea	Yea
	Total for Representative Blume:	Present for 10 votes, agreed on 10 votes, 100 percent agreement

Roll Call	Bill	Motion	Vote to agree	Representative's vote
199	LD 37 An Act To Allow for the Sale of Nonprescription Drugs through Vending Machines	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-466	Yea	Yea
28	LD 278 An Act Regarding Pay Equality	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment S-28	Yea	Yea
75	LD 369 An Act To Support Healthy Workplaces and Healthy Families by Providing Earned Paid Sick Leave to Certain Employees	Accept Report A, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment S-79	Yea	Yea
246	LD 820 An Act To Prevent Discrimination in Public and Private Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women in Maine	Enact LD 820 as amended by Committee amendment H-210	Yea	Yea
80	LD 1025 An Act To Prohibit the Provision of Conversion Therapy to Minors by Certain Licensed Professionals	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-213	Yea	Yea
114	LD 1261 An Act To Authorize Certain Health Care Professionals To Perform Abortions	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass	Yea	Yea
307	LD 1317 An Act To Restore Services To Help Certain Noncitizens Meet Their Basic Needs	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment H-248	Yea	Yea
	Total for Representative Blume:	Present for 7 votes, agreed on 7 votes, 100 percent agreement

Roll Call	Bill	Motion	Vote to agree	Representative's vote
199	LD 37 An Act To Allow for the Sale of Nonprescription Drugs through Vending Machines	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as amended by Committee amendment H-466	Yea	Yea
No roll call; passed under gavel	LD 78 An Act To Facilitate Access to the MaineCare Family Planning Benefit	Enact LD 78 as amended by Committee amendment H-132	Yea	Yea assumed (i.e., no objection)
153	LD 494 An Act To Update the Family Planning Statutes	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as amended by Committee amendment S-151	Yea	Yea
246	LD 820 An Act To Prevent Discrimination in Public and Private Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women in Maine	Enact LD 820 as amended by Committee amendment H-210 and amended by Senate amendment S-275	Yea	Yea
114	LD 1261 An Act To Authorize Certain Health Care Professionals To Perform Abortions	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass	Yea	Yea
No roll call; passed under gavel	LD 1580 An Act To Protect Licensing Information of Medical Professionals	Enact LD 1580 as amended by Committee amendment H-631	Yea	Yea assumed (i.e., no objection)
	Total for Representative Blume:	Present for 4 votes, agreed on 4 votes, 100 percent agreement

Roll Call	Bill	Motion	Vote to agree	Representative's vote
204	LD 379 An Act To Protect Children by Requiring the Safe Storage of Loaded Firearms	Accept Majority Report, Ought Not to Pass	Nay	Nay
211	LD 533 An Act To Eliminate the Statutory Duty To Retreat and Affirm the Right of Self-defense	Accept Majority Report, Ought Not to Pass	Yea	Yea
252	LD 1099 An Act To Reduce Suicides and Violent Crimes by Requiring a 72-hour Waiting Period after the Sale of a Firearm	Accept Majority Report, Ought Not to Pass	Nay	Nay
253	LD 1276 An Act To Better Enforce the Prohibition against Dangerous Persons Possessing Firearms	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment S-274	Yea	Yea
296	LD 1312 An Act Regarding Access to Firearms by Extremely Dangerous and Suicidal Individuals	Accept Report A, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment S-285	Yea	Yea
235	LD 1470 An Act To Allow the Prohibition of Weapons at Public Proceedings and Voting Places	Accept Majority Report, Ought Not to Pass	Nay	Nay
315	LD 1811 An Act To Enhance Personal and Public Safety by Requiring Evaluations of and Judicial Hearings for Persons in Protective Custody Regarding Risk of Harm and Restricting Access to Dangerous Weapons	Accept Majority Report, Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee amendment S-357	Yea	Yea
	Total for Representative Blume:	Present for 7 votes, agreed on 7 votes, 100 percent agreement

LD 90	An Act To Amend the Law Governing the Membership of the Town of York Planning Board and the Town of York Appeals Board	Status: Referred to State and Local Government Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-36, Enacted as an emergency measure, Signed into law April 11, 2019
LD 90 This bill removes the requirement that at least one member of the Town of York Planning Board and the Town of York Appeals Board be a resident of the York Beach geographical area. Amendment H-36 This bill removes the requirement that at least one member of the Town of York Planning Board and the Town of York Appeals Board be a resident of the York Beach geographical area. LD 90 Chaptered Law LD 90 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 537	An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support the Gulf of Maine Research Institute's Establishment of a Near-shore Coastal Sensor Network	Status: Referred to Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, Public hearing held, April 2, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 537 The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $2,000,000, will be used to support the Gulf of Maine Research Institute's establishment of a near-shore coastal sensor network to gather oceanographic data, track changes in state waters, predict changes and support persons who engage in commercial fishing and aquaculture as they adapt to a changing ocean.

LD 538	An Act To Ensure Access to Medical Cannabis for Visiting Qualifying Patients	Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee, Amended by Committee amendment S-347, Enacted as an emergency measure, Signed into law June 6, 2019
LD 538 This bill repeals the provision of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act that requires visiting qualifying patients to designate a registered caregiver or dispensary in order to obtain harvested marijuana. Amendment H-347 This amendment, which is the unanimous report of the committee, adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause to the bill. It removes the requirement that a visiting qualifying patient obtain valid written certification pursuant to Maine law from the visiting patient's medical provider. It also directs the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to maintain a list of other jurisdictions that authorize the medical use of marijuana and the images of the valid medical marijuana certifications from those jurisdictions and make that information available to registered caregivers and registered dispensaries. LD 538 Chaptered Law LD 538 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 543	Resolve, To Facilitate the Protection of Public Health through Increased Subsurface Wastewater Inspections	Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-37, Finally passed, Signed into law April 19, 2019
LD 543 Current law requires the inspection of a subsurface wastewater disposal system on a property located within the shoreland area of the State that is to be transferred. This bill expands these requirements to apply to the transfer of any property in the State on which a subsurface wastewater disposal system is located. The bill also amends other provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes as necessary to incorporate these changes. Amendment H-37 This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, changes the title of the bill and changes the bill into a resolve directing the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, to submit to the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on or before January 15, 2020 a report containing a variety of information regarding septic system inspections and the certification of septic system inspectors. After reviewing the report, the committee may report out a bill related to the information contained in the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature. LD 543 Chaptered Law LD 543 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 544

An Act To Create Extended Producer Responsibility for Post-consumer Waste Generated from the Use of Tobacco Products

Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322, Work session held, Wednesday, February 13, 2020

LD 544
This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to establish a system under which producers of tobacco products develop, finance and implement stewardship programs to collect, transport, process and safely dispose of post-consumer tobacco waste to reduce, prevent and mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal of that waste in the State.

The bill proposes to:

1. Prohibit tobacco producers or retailers from selling or offering for sale tobacco products in the State unless they are participating in an approved tobacco waste stewardship program;
2. Require a tobacco producer to provide retailers that sell tobacco products information about the producer's tobacco waste stewardship program and information regarding available collection opportunities for post-consumer tobacco product waste. Under the bill, a retailer that sells tobacco products would be required to provide that information to its consumers at the time of sale;
3. Require each tobacco producer to submit a plan for its tobacco waste stewardship program to the State for approval. The plan must:

A. Specify educational and outreach activities and materials that promote and increase awareness of the tobacco waste stewardship program, including but not limited to a website and written materials. The outreach materials must identify options for establishing an effective collection system, promote a reduction in the generation of post-consumer tobacco product waste, identify each tobacco producer participating in the program, identify participating brands of tobacco products sold and identify the processors that manage the post-consumer tobacco product waste that is collected;
B. Establish and provide for the implementation of goals to reduce the generation of post-consumer tobacco product waste;
C. Outline the responsibility for negotiating and executing contracts to collect, transport and process post-consumer tobacco product waste for end-of-product management;
D. Describe how the end-of-product management of post-consumer tobacco product waste that is collected under the tobacco waste stewardship program will use environmentally sound management practices that are consistent with state laws and other relevant environmental rules and practices for ultimate disposal;
E. Establish a timeline for carrying out an annual assessment of the effectiveness of actions taken under the tobacco waste stewardship program;
F. Include an anticipated annual operating budget for the tobacco waste stewardship program; and
G. Identify an effective, convenient system for the collection of post-consumer tobacco product waste that ensures sufficient permanent collection sites and provides for collection events in geographically underserved areas;

4. Establish a process for tobacco producers to amend their tobacco waste stewardship programs;
5. Require tobacco producers to submit annual reports, which must include the volume of post-consumer tobacco product waste collected, an independent financial audit, an evaluation of the tobacco waste stewardship program's funding mechanism, an updated budget, samples of educational and outreach materials, documentation of compliance with collection requirements, a description of activities undertaken to achieve the program's goals as provided for in the program plan and identification of proposed changes to the program;
6. Allow the state agency charged with overseeing tobacco waste stewardship programs to develop a pilot project for a tobacco waste stewardship program;
7. Require the state agency charged with overseeing tobacco waste stewardship programs to establish a schedule of fees;
8. Make financial cost, production or sales data and records confidential and establish a process for disclosure of aggregate information;
9. Require the state agency charged with overseeing tobacco waste stewardship programs to publish by municipality, city or county the total weight of post-consumer tobacco product waste collected; and
10. Establish civil penalties for violations.

LD 561

An Act To Exempt from Taxation Certain Out-of-state Pensions

Status: Referred to Taxation Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, April 11, 2019

LD 561
This bill exempts from Maine income tax certain income from out-of-state pensions in order to avoid double taxation of that income. The exemption is only for the amount of the contribution made by the taxpayer divided by the life expectancy of the taxpayer and applies only if the income is included in federal adjusted gross income and not deducted under the general pension deduction.

In order to qualify for the exemption, the contribution must have been made using income on which income tax was paid and is available only if the state in which the taxpayer resided at the time of the contribution provides a similar exemption to a former resident of Maine.

LD 562	An Act To Improve Shoreland Zoning Rules and Enforcement To Support Municipalities	Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-38, Enacted, Signed into law April 19, 2019
LD 562 This bill amends the laws relating to the State's regulation of the shoreland zone as follows. 1. It requires the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Community Development to provide both basic and advanced training to code enforcement officers in the technical and legal aspects of code enforcement. Current law only requires that the office provide basic training to code enforcement officers. 2. It increases the maximum per day civil penalty for a specific violation of a municipal land use law or ordinance from $2,500 to $5,000 and increases the maximum per day civil penalty for a specific violation of a municipal shoreland zoning ordinance occurring within an area zoned for resource protection from $5,000 to $10,000. 3. It provides that a municipal shoreland zoning ordinance must require an applicant for a permit for development within the shoreland zone to provide to the municipal permitting authority preconstruction and postconstruction photographs of the shoreline vegetation and development site. Amendment H-38 This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, amends the bill by removing the requirement that the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Community Development provide both basic and advanced training to code enforcement officers in the technical and legal aspects of code enforcement and instead removes from existing law the designation that the training program required by statute be basic. LD 562 Chaptered Law LD 562 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 563	An Act To Help Municipalities Prepare for Sea Level Rise	Status: Referred to State and Local Government Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-180, Enacted, Signed into law May 24, 2019
LD 563 This bill amends the State's growth planning and land use laws to reflect that addressing the effects of sea level rise is a state planning and regulatory goal. The bill amends the laws regarding the State's coastal management policies to direct state, local and certain federal agencies responsible for regulating, planning, developing or managing coastal resources to conduct their activities affecting the coastal area consistent with the policy of encouraging the assessment of and planning for the effects of the rise in sea level. The bill provides that a coastal municipality or multimunicipal region that includes a coastal municipality, if the municipality or region adopts a growth management program under the State's growth planning and land use laws, may include in its comprehensive plan projections regarding sea level changes and the potential effects of the rise in sea level and may develop a coordinated plan for addressing the effects of the rise in sea level. The bill also provides that "coastal municipality" means a municipality or township in the coastal zone as identified by a coastal program administered by the Department of Marine Resources. Amendment H-180 This amendment clarifies that a municipality or multimunicipal region that is in the "coastal area" as that term is defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 1802, subsection 1 is subject to the bill. The amendment also strikes from the bill a requirement that state, local and certain federal agencies responsible for regulating, planning, developing or managing coastal resources conduct their activities affecting the coastal area consistent with the policy of encouraging the assessment of and planning for the effects of the rise in sea level. LD 563 Chaptered Law LD 563 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 564	An Act To Encourage the Installation of Solar Panels on Residential Property	Status: Referred to Taxation Committee, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, February 4, 2020
LD 564 This bill provides a property tax exemption for solar panels and associated equipment installed on residential property that qualifies for a homestead exemption.

LD 565	An Act To Establish the Maine Coastal Risks and Hazards Commission	Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, June 3, 2019
LD 565 This bill establishes the Maine Coastal Risks and Hazards Commission, the purpose of which is to develop and submit legislative recommendations regarding the actions to be taken by the State to address and prepare for coastal and coastal watershed hazards identified by the commission, including, but not limited to, increased storm surges, extreme precipitation and other extreme weather events, projected sea level rise and increased river flooding and storm water runoff. On or before November 1, 2022, and every 4 years thereafter, the commission must submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over environmental and natural resources matters containing its recommendations, including any draft legislation, to address and prepare for identified coastal and coastal watershed hazards.

LD 590

An Act To Promote Climate Resiliency Measures To Protect Beaches and Near-shore Infrastructure

Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, June 3, 2019

LD 590
This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to enact measures designed to provide flexibility in the regulation of development near the shore. The purpose of the bill is to encourage the development of creative approaches to protect beaches and critical near-shore infrastructure threatened by sea level rise and storm damage.

LD 742	Resolve, To Examine How To Retain Reservation Booking Commissions in the State	Status: Referred to Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, April 23, 2019
LD 742 This resolve directs the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism, as established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 13090-C, to conduct a study on the feasibility of creating a state-operated online reservation service in order to retain reservation booking commissions in the State. The resolve also directs the Office of Tourism to report the study findings and recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business no later than January 15, 2020, and authorizes the joint standing committee to submit a bill relating to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

LD 743

An Act To Create Local Options in E-9-1-1 Protocol Mandates

Status: Referred to Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, April 4, 2019

LD 743
This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to enact certain measures designed to allow for increased flexibility in emergency dispatch protocols. Currently, structured, standardized call-taking processes are implemented to assess a caller's condition, scene information and the appropriate response to dispatch to the emergency. This bill would examine:

1. Whether protocol-based call-taking processes result, in certain instances, in delays in emergency response and the need for additional staffing;
2. The extent to which the use of protocols improves or impedes the delivery of emergency services;
3. Any outstanding issues associated with appropriate and effective training in the use of emergency dispatch protocols; and
4. The costs associated with the implementation of standardized police dispatch protocols that are borne by municipalities.

LD 887

An Act To Improve the Property Tax Fairness Credit

Status: Referred to Taxation Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, May 21, 2019

LD 887
This bill increases the maximum credit available under the property tax fairness credit to $2,000 for resident individuals, regardless of age. Current law provides a maximum credit of $750 for resident individuals under 65 years of age and $1,200 for resident individuals 65 years of age and older. This bill also removes the inclusion of benefits received under the federal Social Security Act and railroad retirement benefits from being included as income for purposes of determining the credit.

The credit is fully refundable after the application of nonrefundable credits.

LD 1284	An Act To Create the Science and Policy Advisory Council on the Impact of Climate Change on Maine's Marine Species	Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, June 3, 2019
LD 1284 This bill establishes the Science and Policy Advisory Council on the Impact of Climate Change on Maine's Marine Species to examine the effects of climate change on Maine's marine ecosystems as habitat for the State's valuable commercial marine species and the direct and indirect effects of climate change on those commercial marine species. The council will identify, study and make recommendations to remediate and mitigate the direct and indirect effects of climate change on marine species that are commercially harvested and grown in the State's coastal and ocean environments.

LD 1285	An Act To Establish Criteria for a Permit To Conduct Research in the Intertidal Zone	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, May 21, 2019
LD 1285 This bill authorizes the Department of Marine Resources to establish criteria for a permit to conduct research in the intertidal zone.

LD 1286	An Act To Allow the Deposition of Oyster Shell Cultch To Ameliorate Ocean and Coastal Acidification	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, April 11, 2019
LD 1286 This bill allows the deposition of oyster shell cultch in intertidal zones or in harbors or rivers below the dividing line between tidewater and fresh water to ameliorate ocean and coastal acidification with the written permission of the Commissioner of Marine Resources, who may issue permission taking into consideration any conditions the commissioner considers appropriate.

LD 1731	An Act Regarding Representation of the Department of Marine Resources in Libel Proceedings	Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-633, Enacted, Signed into law June 20, 2019
LD 1731 This bill allows a person who is not an attorney to represent the Department of Marine Resources in libel proceedings before a District Court under the laws regarding the seizure and disposition of equipment and organisms. Amendment H-633 This amendment clarifies that the person who is not an attorney but is representing the Department of Marine Resources in a libel proceeding in District Court must be a marine patrol officer. LD 1731 Chaptered Law LD 1731 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 1784	An Act To Increase Land Permit by Rule Application Fees	Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-502 and House amendment H-542, Enacted, Signed into law, June 18, 2019
LD 1784 This bill increases the processing fee for a Board of Environmental Protection permit by rule application from $50 to $250. Amendment H-502 This amendment adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause to the bill and an appropriations and allocations section. Amendment H-542 This amendment removes the emergency preamble and the emergency clause. It also amends the appropriations and allocations section. LD 1784 Chaptered Law LD 1784 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 14	An Act To Improve Science and Engineering Education for Maine's Students	Status: Referred to Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, March 7, 2019
LD 14 This bill requires the Department of Education to include the so-called Next Generation Science Standards for kindergarten to grade 12 in the State's system of learning results and assessment and directs the Commissioner of Education to amend Department of Education rules on or before December 31, 2019 in order to include the science standards as part of the State's system of learning results and assessment beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

LD 16	An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Invest in Infrastructure To Address Sea Level Rise	Status: Referred to Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, Public hearing held, April 2, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 16 The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $50,000,000, will be used to improve waterfront and coastal infrastructure in municipalities to address sea level rise.

LD 28	An Act Regarding Access to Lobster Licenses	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Work session held, February 19, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 28 This bill directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to authorize new zone entrants for a limited-entry lobster zone who have been on a waiting list for 10 or more years and have met certain eligibility requirements. A person authorized as a new zone entrant under this bill must adhere to specific trap tag limits.

LD 93	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Bottle Redemption To Counterbalance for Redemption Centers the Increase in Minimum Wage	Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, March 19, 2019
LD 93 This bill increases by 1¢ per returned container the handling costs to be reimbursed to the dealer or local redemption center for the cost of handling beverage containers beginning March 1, 2020.

LD 173

An Act To Promote Economic Development and Critical Communications for Family Farms, Businesses and Residences by Strategic Public Investment in High-speed Internet

Status: Referred to Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322, Work session held January 14, 2020

LD 173
This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to increase funding to the ConnectME Authority from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 to expand universal broadband and high-speed Internet into rural areas identified as the 6% of the State unserved by high-speed Internet. This bill proposes to make expanding high-speed Internet into unserved rural areas a key emphasis in the economic development of and to multiply the return to the State by directing the ConnectME Authority to use the increased funding to increase the rate of strategic broadband investment and leverage additional federal funding to provide middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure in the unserved areas and to correct broadband deficiencies identified in the ConnectME Authority's baseline update of 2013.

LD 174	An Act To Promote Youth Participation in the Maine Lobster Fishery	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, March 26, 2019
LD 174 This bill allows an unlicensed person 12 years of age or younger to assist a Class I, II or III lobster and crab fishing license holder with licensed activities.

LD 216	An Act To Protect Water Quality by Standardizing the Law Concerning Septic Inspection in the Shoreland Zone	Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Enacted, Signed into law April 22, 2019
LD 216 This bill extends to inland shoreland areas the requirement that subsurface wastewater disposal systems on property located within a shoreland area be inspected prior to a sale of the property. Currently, that inspection requirement applies only to the sale of property located within a coastal shoreland area. LD 216 Chaptered Law LD 216 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 289	An Act To Prohibit the Use of Certain Disposable Food Service Containers	Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-49 and House amendment H-55, Enacted, Signed into law April 30, 2019
LD 289 Beginning January 1, 2020, this bill prohibits the sale or distribution in the State of disposable food service containers composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules to implement these statutory provisions. Amendment H-49 This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, replaces the bill, repeals the existing law regarding nondegradable food and beverage containers and enacts a new provision of law regarding disposable food service containers. Under the amendment, beginning January 1, 2021, a food establishment is prohibited, subject to certain exemptions, from processing, preparing, selling or providing food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. The amendment also: 1. Excludes from the definition of disposable food service container polystyrene foam coolers and ice chests that are used for the processing or shipping of seafood; 2. Adds sleeves and stirrers to the definition of service ware; 3. Excludes from the definition of food establishment hospitals licensed under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, chapter 405 and so-called meals on wheels establishments funded in whole or in part directly or indirectly by the Department of Health and Human Services; and 4. Incorporates from the existing law, which was repealed in the amendment, regarding nondegradable food and beverage containers certain definitions, a penalty provision and a prohibition on the use of plastic beverage stirrers by food establishments providing or serving beverages at a facility or function of the State or of a political subdivision. Amendment H-55 This amendment replaces the term food establishment with the term covered establishment. LD 289 Chaptered Law LD 289 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 314	An Act To Simplify Apprenticeship Requirements for Student and Apprentice Lobster and Crab Fishing License Holders	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Dead, Concurrence in Ought Not to Pass, March 21, 2019
LD 314 This bill requires the Commissioner of Marine Resources to allow a person with an apprentice lobster and crab fishing license or a student lobster and crab fishing license to demonstrate apprentice program completion through verified landings of at least 4,000 pounds of lobster over a period of not less than 2 years.

LD 347

An Act To Provide Sustainable Funding for Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

Status: Referred to Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-206, Enacted, Signed into law June 20, 2019

LD 347
This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to provide ongoing funding for improvements to water and wastewater infrastructure statewide, including, but not limited to, funding to support the State Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Fund established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 6006-H.

Amendment H-206
This amendment replaces the bill, which is a concept draft. The amendment does the following:

1. It amends the law governing the use of the Liquor Operation Revenue Fund after all liquor operation revenue bonds and any ancillary obligations secured by the fund have been retired to provide additional funding for water and wastewater infrastructure. Specifically, while current law provides a maximum of 15% of funds available after retirement of the bonds be used for matching funds for federal programs for drinking water and wastewater systems, the amendment provides 30% of funds after bond retirement be designated for drinking water and wastewater purposes. The amendment divides the 30% between drinking water and wastewater at 45% and 55% respectively. For both drinking water and wastewater the amendment provides the funds first be used for the state match for federal funds for revolving loans.
2. It amends the law governing the State Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Fund and the Maine Clean Water Fund to allow the funds to be used to provide assistance for capital investment in private and commercial wastewater systems.

LD 347 Chaptered Law
LD 347 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 433	RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Explicitly Prohibit Discrimination Based on the Sex of an Individual	Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee, both chambers accepted Majority Committee report, Ought to Pass as amended by Committee amendment H-230 and engrossed, May 23, 2019, House tabled pending final passage, May 28, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 433 This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to prohibit the denial or abridgment by the State or any political subdivision of the State of equal rights based on the sex of an individual. Amendment H-230 This amendment is the majority report of the committee. This amendment incorporates a fiscal note. LD 433 Amendment H-230 fiscal note

LD 434	An Act To Price Carbon Pollution in Maine	Status: Referred to Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, May 2, 2019
LD 434 This bill requires an assessment on the carbon content of fuels sold by a distributor in the State. The bill defines "distributor" and requires a distributor to submit on a monthly basis the required assessment to the Public Utilities Commission. The commission is required to transfer any assessment it receives to the Carbon Content Assessment Fund, which the bill establishes. The bill requires the commission at the end of each fiscal year to transfer funds from the fund to transmission and distribution utilities in the State. The funds are to be used to reduce the rates of those utilities' customers in a manner that is equitable and that provides maximum benefit to the economy of the State. The bill gives the commission the authority to review the books and records of a distributor and to impose an administrative penalty if necessary. It requires the commission to adopt routine technical rules.

LD 610	An Act To Provide Funding for Maine Public	Status: Referred to Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, Enacted in the House as amended by Committee amendment H-401, tabled to Special Appropriations in the Senate June 6, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 610 This bill provides ongoing funds to Maine Public and increases the State's contribution to funding the cost of the emergency alert system. Amendment H-401 This amendment, which is the majority report, decreases the ongoing appropriation to Maine Public because additional funding is included in the Governor's biennial budget. LD 610 fiscal note LD 610 Amendment H-401 fiscal note

LD 629	An Act To Ensure a Seat on the Shellfish Advisory Council Is Held by a Person with a Background and Credentials in a Field of Marine Science	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, March 26, 2019
LD 629 This bill directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to ensure that a seat on the Shellfish Advisory Council is held by a member who has a demonstrated knowledge of a marine science and, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in a field of marine science.

LD 722	An Act To Require Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates To Disclose Their Federal Income Tax Returns	Status: Referred to Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, Dead, Concurrence in Ought Not to Pass, March 28, 2019
LD 722 This bill requires that, in order for a candidate for President or a candidate for Vice President to appear on a general election ballot, the candidate for President or the candidate for Vice President must disclose the previous 3 years of that candidate's federal income tax returns, which may be redacted to remove personally identifying information other than the candidate's name. It directs the Secretary of State to post the tax returns on the Secretary of State's website. The legislation takes effect upon enactment of this requirement in other states.

LD 734	Resolve, To Expedite the Processing of Applications for Certification under the Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit	Status: Referred to Labor and Housing Committee, Enacted in the House as amended by Committee amendment H-51, tabled to Special Appropriations in the Senate April 18, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 734 This resolve directs the Department of Labor to establish a new permanent position in the Bureau of Employment Services to expedite the processing of employer applications for certification required for the federal work opportunity tax credit under Section 51 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The resolve also requires the Department of Labor to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing with the most recent information available concerning applications submitted by employers, including information on the extent of any backlog in application processing, by February 1, 2020. Amendment H-51 This amendment incorporates a fiscal note. LD 734 fiscal note LD 734 Amendment H-51 fiscal note

LD 774

An Act To Protect Maine's Beaches and Shoreline

Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322, Work session held, February 5, 2020

LD 774
This bill amends the State's coastal management policies laws to ensure that those policies address the effects of coastal erosion on the State's beaches and shoreline and ensure the health of the State's beaches and shoreline for habitat protection for coastal wildlife species and for protection against storms.

The bill also creates an advisory group on beach management, to be convened by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection for the purpose of developing and recommending objectives, strategies, legislation and other actions to mitigate coastal erosion in the State and to keep beaches healthy for storm protection, habitat protection for coastal wildlife species and for recreational use. The group is directed to review the report titled "Integrated Beach Management Program Working Group Report," dated January 2017 and submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in the First Regular Session of the 128th Legislature, update the data and findings contained in that report, if necessary, and review and update the specific recommendations for legislative, regulatory or other actions contained in that report, if necessary. No later than February 15, 2020, the commissioner is required to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources containing the findings and recommendations of the group following its review of the 2017 report, including any proposed legislation necessary to implement those recommendations. After reviewing the report, the committee may report out legislation to implement those recommendations.

LD 820

An Act To Prevent Discrimination in Public and Private Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women in Maine

Status: Referred to Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-210 and Senate amendment S-275, Enacted, Signed into law June 13, 2019

LD 820
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide coverage to a MaineCare member for abortion services. The bill provides that abortion services that are not approved Medicaid services must be funded by the State. The bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt rules no later than March 1, 2020.

The bill also requires that health insurance carriers that provide coverage for maternity services also provide coverage for abortion services. The bill applies this requirement to all health insurance policies and contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2020, except for those religious employers granted an exclusion of coverage. The bill authorizes the Superintendent of Insurance to grant an exemption from the requirements if enforcement of the requirements would adversely affect the allocation of federal funds to the State.

Amendment H-210
This amendment is the majority report of the committee. The amendment adds language exempting the provisions of the bill from the provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 24-A, section 2752. The amendment reallocates the section of the bill requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to pay for abortion services for MaineCare members and adds language to authorize the department to adopt rules using the emergency rule-making provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.

Amendment S-275
The amendment adds an appropriations and allocations section. This amendment also makes technical corrections.

LD 820 Chaptered Law
LD 820 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 911	An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Promote Land Conservation, Working Waterfronts, Water Access and Outdoor Recreation	Status: Referred to Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, Public hearing held, June 17, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 911 The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $95,000,000, will be used to provide funds for the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands and the Land for Maine's Future Board.

LD 914	An Act To Enhance the Recruitment and Retention of Marine Patrol Sergeants	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, April 11, 2019
LD 914 This bill provides funding to increase the salaries of Marine Patrol Sergeants in the Department of Marine Resources by 5%.

LD 954	An Act To Rescind An Act To Implement the Maine Indian Claims Settlement	Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee, Work session held May 28, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 954 This bill repeals An Act to Implement the Maine Indian Claims Settlement. The repeal does not take effect unless approved by the Houlton Band Council of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Tribal Chief and the Council of the Penobscot Nation and the Joint Tribal Council of the Passamaquoddy Tribe within 90 days after the adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

LD 955

An Act To Prohibit Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Exploration

Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-425, Enacted, Signed into law June 13, 2019

LD 955
This bill prohibits a person from performing or causing to be performed any oil or natural gas exploration, development or production in, on or under the waters of the State or that may adversely affect the waters of the State.

The bill also prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection and the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry from permitting, approving or otherwise authorizing any oil or natural gas exploration, development or production in, on or under the submerged and intertidal land owned by the State.

It is the intent of this legislation to generally prohibit activities relating to offshore oil and natural gas exploration, development and production within the boundaries and jurisdiction of the State, which place the State's coastal communities at economic and ecological risk from oil spills, and from the pollution caused by routine drilling operations and onshore industrialization, and threaten the quality of life and livelihoods of Maine citizens and economically significant industries, including tourism, recreation and commercial and recreational fishing, and small businesses that rely on a clean and healthy ocean and clean and healthy beaches.

Amendment H-425
This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, amends the bill to clarify the prohibition on oil or natural gas exploration, development or production activities as follows.

1. It amends certain definitions to more clearly delineate the activities regulated and to specify that the transfer of oil or natural gas resources to or from the waters of the State, including both on-loading and offloading of oil or natural gas resources between an oil terminal facility and a vessel or between vessels, is not prohibited under the bill.
2. It removes language specifically prohibiting exploration, development or production activities that may adversely affect the waters of the State.

LD 955 Chaptered Law
LD 955 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 1025	An Act To Prohibit the Provision of Conversion Therapy to Minors by Certain Licensed Professionals	Status: Referred to Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-213, Enacted, Signed into law May 29, 2019
LD 1025 This bill does the following. 1. It defines "conversion therapy" as any practice or course of treatment that seeks or purports to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, except for any practice or treatment that assists an individual undergoing a gender transition; any practice or treatment that provides acceptance, support and understanding to an individual; and any practice or treatment that facilitates an individual's coping, social support or identity exploration and development, including any therapeutic intervention that is neutral with regard to sexual orientation or gender identity, and that seeks to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, as long as the counseling does not seek to change the individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. 2. It prohibits certified school psychologists and guidance counselors, nurses, doctors, physician assistants, psychologists, psychological examiners, alcohol and drug counselors and aides, social workers, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, pastoral counselors, speech-language pathologists and assistants and audiologists from advertising, offering or administering conversion therapy to individuals under 18 years of age. Advertising, offering or administering conversion therapy to an individual under 18 years of age in violation of this prohibition is grounds for discipline of the professional by the department or board that issued the professional's license, certification or registration, including but not limited to suspension or revocation of the license, certification or registration. 3. It prohibits MaineCare reimbursement for conversion therapy administered to an individual who is under 18 years of age. 4. It includes a statement of legislative findings and intent. Amendment H-213 This amendment is the majority report of the committee. The amendment clarifies the definition of "conversion therapy." The bill provides that evidence that a certified school psychologist or guidance counselor has advertised, offered or administered conversion therapy to a child within the last 5 years is grounds for discipline; the amendment retains this provision but removes the 5-year limitation. The amendment also removes a similar 5-year limitation added by the bill to the current law that provides that evidence that an applicant for such a certification has injured the health or welfare of a child through abuse or exploitation is grounds for a denial of the certification. The amendment also adds an additional finding and makes other clarifying changes to the legislative findings and intent section. LD 1025 Chaptered Law LD 1025 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 1059	An Act To Authorize the Establishment of an Apprentice License for the Maine Scallop Fishery	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-114, Enacted, Signed into law May 14, 2019
LD 1059 This bill allows the Department of Marine Resources to establish by rule an apprentice program for entry into the scallop fishery that includes an apprentice license allowing an apprentice to engage in dragging for scallops under the supervision of a scallop dragging license holder. It sets the apprentice license fee at $250 and creates a $250 license surcharge for a scallop dragger to sponsor an apprentice. It limits participation to residents and makes 18 years of age the minimum age to participate as an apprentice. It also changes rules to implement the scallop license limited entry system from major substantive rules to routine technical rules. Amendment H-114 This amendment specifies that license fees collected for an apprentice scallop dragging license are to be deposited into the Scallop Research Fund and it clarifies that the fund may be used for the administrative costs associated with an apprentice program for entry into the scallop fishery. The amendment also adds an appropriations and allocations section. LD 1059 Chaptered Law LD 1059 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 1065	An Act To Expand Health Insurance Coverage To Certain State Employees	Status: Referred to State and Local Government Committee, Enacted in the House as amended by Committee amendment H-292, tabled to Special Appropriations in the Senate May 29, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 1065 This bill requires the State to pay its share of the individual premium for the state employee health insurance plan for a seasonal or session-only employee regardless of whether the employee is in active work status unless the seasonal or session-only employee has health coverage under another plan. Amendment H-292 This amendment requires the State Budget Officer to calculate the increased cost to state departments and agencies due to the requirements of the bill and transfer the amounts by financial order. This amendment also adds an appropriations and allocations section. LD 1065 fiscal note LD 1065 Amendment H-292 fiscal note

LD 1076	An Act To Account for Market Change in the Adult Use Marijuana Excise Tax	Status: Referred to Taxation Committee, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, February 4, 2020
LD 1076 This bill changes the excise tax on adult use marijuana cultivation facilities from a tax based on quantity to a tax based on a percentage of the average market price for the category of marijuana sold. The bill requires the average market price to be determined quarterly by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. The tax would not apply to sales by a cultivation facility to a licensee with which it is vertically integrated.

LD 1148	An Act Regarding the Costs Incurred by Municipalities in the Administration of Aquaculture Lease and License Applications	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Amended by Committee amendment H-123, Enacted, Became law without the Governor's signature May 15, 2019
LD 1148 This bill allows a municipality to charge a reasonable fee to a person granted a Department of Marine Resources aquaculture lease on or under coastal waters to pay for the municipality's administrative costs associated with the lease. Amendment H-123 This amendment changes the title and replaces the bill. The amendment specifies that a municipality may not charge a person applying for an aquaculture lease or license a fee of more than $50 for the municipality's administrative costs associated with the lease or license application. LD 1148 Chaptered Law LD 1148 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 1171	An Act To Prevent Sexual and Domestic Violence and To Support Survivors	Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee, Enacted in the House as amended by Committee amendment S-86, tabled to Special Appropriations in the Senate May 16, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 1171 This bill provides funding for sexual assault and domestic violence prevention and victim services. Amendment S-86 This amendment incorporates a fiscal note. LD 1171 Amendment S-86 fiscal note

LD 1214	Resolve, To Conduct a Comprehensive Study of the Compensation System for State Employees	Status: Referred to Labor and Housing Committee, Enacted in the House as amended by Committee amendment S-146, tabled to Special Appropriations in the Senate June 3, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 1214 This resolve directs the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services to commission a comprehensive study of the wages and compensation system for employees of the executive branch of State Government. The resolve directs the commissioner to involve the certified bargaining agents for the employees covered by collective bargaining units and report the findings and any recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over state and local government matters no later than July 1, 2020, and authorizes the joint standing committee to submit a bill relating to the subject matter of the report to the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature. Amendment S-146 This amendment changes the committee to which the report is submitted in the bill to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing and authorizes that committee to report out a bill. This amendment adds an appropriations and allocations section. LD 1214 fiscal note LD 1214 Amendment S-146 fiscal note

LD 1224	An Act To Authorize General Fund Bond Issues To Address Changes in Sea Level, Geospatial Data Acquisition by Communities and the Increase in Ocean Acidity	Status: Referred to Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, Public hearing held, April 2, 2019, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322
LD 1224 This bill authorizes the issuance of bonds. 1. Part A of this bill authorizes the issuance of bonds, in the amount of $5,000,000, to be used to support improvements to sea level prediction models by providing more detailed mapping of coastal zones and monitoring sea level changes in order to mitigate the impact of and help prepare for rising sea levels. 2. Part B of this bill authorizes the issuance of bonds, in the amount of $6,000,000, to be used to provide partnership funds and matching grants for geospatial data acquisition to communities that are creating or improving digital parcel maps to accurately identify existing boundaries and land use, identify potential community development areas and protect environmental resources. 3. Part C of this bill authorizes the issuance of bonds, in the amount of $3,000,000, to be used to collect data, monitor waterways and perform tests related to the known increasing ocean acidity along the Maine coast and its impact on natural wildlife and commercially important species in Maine waters, such as lobsters and clams.

LD 1241	An Act To Improve Survival Rates of Salmon and Other Migratory Fish Transitioning from Freshwater to Saltwater Environments	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, April 11, 2019
LD 1241 This bill directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to establish a smoltification success research program to investigate the external influences on smoltification success and metamorphosis success of nonsalmonid anadromous species and smolt migration success. Specific attention must be given to evaluating the effects of industrial and sewage treatment plant effluents and other pollutants on the timing of smoltification. The program must include the capacity to systematically analyze the effect of a variety of chemicals found in effluents on the timing of the development of and physical health of smolts and recommendations for conservation and management options. The analysis must include the effluence of biological substances such as pheromones from land-based aquaculture. Analysis of these effects must be conducted cooperatively with the industries and communities that discharge into rivers that are significant for Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish species.

LD 1305	An Act To Encourage Savings through Contributions to Family Development Accounts	Status: Referred to Taxation Committee, Dead, Concurrence in Ought Not to Pass, May 23, 2019
LD 1305 This bill creates a tax credit of up to $25,000 for taxpayers who make contributions to family development account reserve funds. Amendment S-137 This amendment changes the responsibility for the verification of eligibility for the tax credit for contributions to a family development account reserve fund from the State Tax Assessor to the state agency with responsibility for overseeing the family development account program. LD 1305 Amendment S-137 fiscal note

LD 1438	An Act To Clarify the Intent of Referendum Questions for Voters	Status: Referred to Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, May 14, 2019
LD 1438 This bill requires the Secretary of State, with the assistance of the Attorney General and the Revisor of Statutes, to prepare a summary of each referendum question that explains the referendum question to the voter and to place this summary on the ballot after the corresponding referendum question. This summary may not exceed 250 words, except that additional words may be used if the Secretary of State considers it necessary and space on the ballot permits.

LD 1472	An Act To Create a Commission To Establish a State Bank	Status: Referred to Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, May 14, 2019
LD 1472 This bill establishes the State Bank and Tax Reduction Commission, which is charged with making recommendations and suggesting legislation for a legal and organizational framework for the establishment and oversight of a state-owned bank and tax rate reduction policy.

LD 1497

An Act To Recognize High-performing, Efficient School Districts with Regard to the System Administration Allocation (Emergency)

Status: Referred to Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, May 21, 2019

LD 1497
Under current law, for the 2019-20 fiscal year, a system administration allocation of $141 per pupil is established, with $47 being allocated to each school administrative unit and an additional $94 being allocated as a targeted amount to school administrative units that have established regionalized administrative services.

This bill maintains the $141 allocation for fiscal year 2019-20, but provides $94 to each school administrative unit and an additional $47 to school administrative units that have established regionalized administrative services and to those school administrative units that have been identified as high-performing, efficient school administrative units.

LD 1545	An Act Regarding the Testing of Adult Use Marijuana and Marijuana Products	Status: Referred to Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322, Public hearing held January 27, 2020
LD 1545 This bill amends the provisions regarding the testing of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products by: 1. Requiring that any testing conform to any applicable state or federal process, protocol or standard for the testing of tobacco; and 2. Providing that if a testing facility does not test adult use marijuana or an adult use marijuana product within 5 days of receiving the marijuana or marijuana product from a licensee, the licensee may sell or distribute the marijuana or marijuana product if the marijuana or marijuana product is labeled "Untested." If upon testing a testing facility determines that the marijuana or marijuana product exceeds the maximum level of allowable contamination for any contaminant that is injurious to health and for which testing is required, the testing facility is required to immediately notify the Department of Administrative and Financial Services and the licensee. The licensee is required to recover, document, quarantine and hold the marijuana or marijuana product for either remediation and retesting or destruction by the department.

LD 1562	An Act To Encourage the Use of Renewable Energy	Status: Referred to Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, Dead, Joint rule 310.3, May 21, 2019
LD 1562 This bill: 1. Establishes the Renewable Energy Program to promote the achievement of the following goal: that, by January 1, 2050, 100% of the energy consumed in this State will be supplied by renewable resources; 2. Directs that, no later than January 1, 2030, all electricity purchased by state agencies must be supplied by renewable resources and that, no later than January 1, 2050, all heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in state-owned or state-leased buildings must be electrical and the electricity must be supplied by renewable resources; and 3. Directs that, no later than January 1, 2050, all vehicles acquired for the state vehicle fleet must be electric vehicles.

LD 1679

An Act To Establish the Maine Climate Change Council To Assist Maine To Mitigate, Prepare for and Adapt to Climate Change (Governor's Bill)

Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Amended by Committee amendment S-221, Enacted as an emergency measure, Signed into law June 26, 2019

LD 1679
This bill:

1. Establishes the Maine Climate Change Council to assist Maine to mitigate, prepare for and adapt to climate change;
2. Provides that by January 1, 2030 80% of electricity consumed in the State must come from renewable resources and by January 1, 2050 100% of electricity consumed in the State must come from renewable resources;
3. Updates the greenhouse gas emissions reductions required in statute; and
4. Requires that the state climate action plan be updated by December 1, 2020 and every 4 years thereafter.

Amendment S-221
This amendment changes the title of the bill, adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause and makes the following additional changes to the bill.

1. It removes from the bill provisions regarding requirements for the consumption of electricity from renewable resources.
2. It stipulates an interim greenhouse gas emissions reductions level to be achieved by January 1, 2040, requiring by such date that the greenhouse gas emissions reductions be on a trajectory sufficient to achieve the 2050 annual emissions reductions level in the bill.
3. It clarifies the rule-making authority concerning compliance rules for the greenhouse gas emissions reductions levels required under the bill, specifying that the rules are to be adopted by the Board of Environmental Protection rather than the Department of Environmental Protection and that the rules must be consistent with the updated climate action plan and must be fair and equitable and account for and give significant weight to greenhouse gas emissions reductions already achieved by various sectors.
4. It requires the State's climate action plan update to include development of a clean energy economy transition plan.
5. It amends the Maine Climate Change Council, which is proposed in the bill, as follows.

A. It changes the name of the council to the Maine Climate Council.
B. It adds as a member of the council the Commissioner of Labor, increasing the total membership to 39.
C. It clarifies member compensation and terms of membership, increasing the term for public members from 2 years to 3 years.
D. It clarifies the purpose and makeup of the council's steering committee as well as the designation of the members of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the working groups.
E. It clarifies the duties and responsibilities of the council, the subcommittee and the working groups.
F. It removes language from the bill authorizing the subcommittee and the working groups to solicit and accept funding, and instead authorizes the council to conduct all funding solicitation and acceptance.
G. It requires, beginning January 15, 2021, and annually thereafter, that the council submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources matters describing the activities of the council, the subcommittee and its working groups over the prior calendar year and including any findings and recommendations of the council, including any proposed legislation. After reviewing the report, the committee may report out legislation to implement any recommendations contained in the report.

It requires that the report also include a list of the amounts and sources of any funds accepted by the council in the prior calendar year, excluding those funds appropriated or allocated by the Legislature, and an indication of whether such outside funds were expended in the prior calendar year and, if expended, the purpose or purposes of the expenditure.

6. It makes a number of other clarifications and technical changes to the bill.

LD 1679 Chaptered Law
LD 1679 Chaptered Law fiscal note

LD 1705	An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Strengthen the Marine Economy	Status: Referred to Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322, Public hearing held, January 14, 2020
LD 1705 The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $50,000,000, will be used to facilitate the growth of the commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors of the State's marine economy through research and development and workforce development with capital investments awarded after a competitive process administered by the Maine Technology Institute in consultation with the Department of Marine Resources and the Department of Economic and Community Development, to be matched by at least $50,000,000 in private and other funds.

LD 1750	An Act To Establish Appliance Energy and Water Standards	Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources Committee, carried over to any regular or special session per Joint Order HP 1322, Work session held, February 5, 2020
LD 1750 This bill enacts the Appliance Energy and Water Standards Act to be implemented, administered and enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection. The Act generally provides that, beginning January 1, 2021, a person is prohibited from selling or offering for sale in the State certain appliances and products unless they meet or exceed applicable energy and water standards adopted by rule by the department. Beginning January 1, 2022, a person is prohibited from installing for compensation in the State any of those appliances or products.

LD 1882	An Act To Provide Noncommercial Lobster and Crab Fishing Licenses and Scallop Licenses to Disabled Veterans at No Cost	Status: Referred to Marine Resources Committee, Work session held, January 21, 2020
LD 1882 This bill allows a resident disabled veteran to obtain upon application, at no cost, a noncommercial lobster and crab fishing license or a noncommercial scallop license.

LD 1888	An Act To Protect Children from Toxic Chemicals	Status: Referred to Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, Work session, Thursday, February 20, 2020 2 pm, Cross Building, Room 214
LD 1888 This bill bans the use of nonselective herbicides, including, but not limited to, glyphosate, within 75 feet of school grounds, public playgrounds and child care centers.

LD 2031	An Act To Require a Cable System Operator To Provide a Pro Rata Credit When Service Is Cancelled by a Subscriber	Status: Referred to Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, Work session, Thursday, February 20, 2020 1 pm, Cross Building, Room 211
LD 2031 This bill requires a cable system operator to grant a subscriber a pro rata credit or rebate if that subscriber requests service disconnection during the first 2 weeks of a monthly billing period.

LD 2065	An Act To Address Decibel Level Limits for Airboats	Status: Referred to Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, Work session held, February 12, 2020
LD 2065 This bill exempts airboats, which are defined as flat-bottomed watercraft propelled by an aircraft-type propeller and powered by either an aircraft engine or an automotive engine, from the noise level limits imposed on other watercraft. Instead, this bill allows the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish noise level limits for airboats by routine technical rules. This bill also requires the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Marine Resources to jointly solicit and collect information regarding airboats, including uses of airboats, noise levels and complaints and suggestions for reducing complaints regarding the use of airboats, from interested parties, such as harbor masters, town clerks and residents of coastal towns and airboat users and sellers. Based on the suggestions, the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Commissioner of Marine Resources are authorized to submit legislation to the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature to implement whatever suggestions the commissioners determine are necessary.