Legislation

 

2007-2008, Second Regular Session and First Special Session of the 123rd Legislature. All non-emergency legislation that the Legislature enacted on and before March 31st is effective 90 days after adjournment of the Second Regular Session. The effective date is June 30, 2008 unless otherwise specified. All non-emergency legislation that the Legislature enacted on and after April 1st is effective 90 days after adjournment of the First Special Session. The effective date is July 18, 2008 unless otherwise specified.

• Chapter 507 (LD 2227), An Act To Minimize the Potential for Slope Failure in Gravel Pits
• Chapter 527 (LD 2223), An Act To Expand the Natural Resources Protection Act Compensation Program
• Chapter 533 (LD 1952), An Act to Streamline the Administration of Significant Vernal Pool Habitat Protection. (Emergency, effective 3/31/2008)
• Chapter 565 (LD 1392), An Act to Update the Dioxin Monitoring Program
• Chapter 558 (LD 2235), An Act to Sustain Maine's Core Wastewater Licensing Program and Adjust Related Provisions
• Chapter 568 (LD 2160), An Act To Protect Shellfish Waters and Shellfish Resources from Coastal Pollution
• Chapter 593 (LD 2249), An Act to Protect Lake Water Quality
• Chapter 616 (LD 2046), An Act Concerning Certain Excavations
• Chapter 619 (LD 2230), An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Reports Related to Natural Resources
• Chapter 661 (LD 2283), An Act To Implement Recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Wind Power Development
• Chapter 655 (LD 2119), An Act To Amend Certain Laws Related to Environmental Protection
• Chapter 656 (LD 2255), An Act To Protect Maine's Energy Sovereignty through the Designation of Energy Infrastructure Corridors and Energy Plan Development

Related bills of interest:

• Chapter 501 (LD 1881), An Act To Improve Transparency and Accountability in Government
• Chapter 541 (LD 885), An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Study the Costs of Providing Certain Services in the Unorganized Territories
• Chapter 569 (LD 2073), An Act To Prevent Contamination of Drinking Water Supplies
• Chapter 581 (LD 2213), An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Working Group To Improve Public Understanding and Participation in the Rulemaking Process
• Chapter 587 (LD 1957), An Act To Restore Diadromous Fish in the St. Croix River
• Chapter 606 (LD 2038), An Act To Establish the Shellfish Advisory Council and To Improve the Process of Reopening Clam Flats (Emergency, effective 4/14/2008)
• Chapter 623 (LD 2298), An Act To Improve the Reporting Requirements of Boards and Commissions
• Chapter 625 (LD 2102), An Act To Allow Road Associations To Determine Assessments According to Majority Vote Cast at a Duly Held Meeting
• Chapter 649 (LD 1684), An Act To Create the Maine Agriculture Protection Act
• Chapter 673 (LD 2169), An Act To Amend the Laws Pertaining To Storm Water Management and To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Drinking Water Management
• Chapter 692 (LD 2129), An Act To Make Clam Flat Status Notification More Efficient, Cost-effective and Economically Beneficial to the Shellfish Industry
• Chaper 695 (LD 2252), An Act to Correct Errors and Inconsistencies in the Laws of Maine (Emergency, effective 4/24/2008)
• Chapter 697 (LD 2221), An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Tribal-State Work Group
• Resolve, Chapter 154 (LD 2211), Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 29: Standards for Water Quality Protection, Section 6, Buffer Requirement, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Board of Pesticides Control (Emergency, effective 3/17/2008)

2006-2007. First Regular Session of the 123red Legislature. The effective date for regular, non-emergency legislation is September 20, 2007, unless otherwise provided in specific legislation.

The following links go to the Maine Legislature's website. When you get there, click on the link for "PUBLIC Law" or "RESOLVE", "Ch. X".

• Chapter 43 (LD 848), An Act to Encourage Public Input into the State Environmental Licensing Process
• Chapter 44 (LD 153), An Act to Improve the Control and Prevention of Invasive Plant Species.
• Chapter 65 (LD 587), An Act to Protect and Improve Lake Water Quality
• Chapter 92 (LD 340), An Act to Require the Replacement of Trees Cut in Shoreland Areas
• Chapter 160 (LD 1071), An Act Regarding Energy-generating Facilities
• Chapter 235 (LD 774), An Act to Coordinate the Implementation of the In-stream Flow and Water Level Rules among the Department of Environmental Protection, the Drinking Water Program of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Utilities Commission. Emergency, effective 6/6/2007.
• Chapter 290 (LD 1477), An Act Concerning the Natural Resources Protection Laws and Related Provisions. Emergency, effective 6/14/2007.
• Chapter 291 (LD 1274), An Act To Allow the Discharge of Aquatic Pesticides Approved by the Department of Environmental Protection for the Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases in the Interest of Public Health and Safety
• Chapter 292 (LD 1778), An Act to Amend Certain Laws Administered by the Department of Environmental Protection
• Chapter 297 (LD 895), An Act Concerning Blasting Near Residential Areas
• Chapter 337 (LD 882), An Act To Create a 5-year Statute of Limitations for Environmental Violations
• Chapter 353 (LD 1888), An Act To Implement Recommendations of the Drinking Water Program Regarding Public Water Supply Protection
• Chapter 364 (LD 1508), An Act To Protect the Scenic Value of the Kennebec River
• Chapter 399 (LD 1743), An Act Concerning the Sustainable Use of and Planning for Water Resources
• Chapter 445 (LD 1845), An Act To Strengthen the Laws Concerning Surface Water Ambient Toxic Monitoring
• Resolve, Chapter 37 (LD 1302), Resolve, To Preserve Maine's Electric Energy Infrastructure
• Resolve, Chapter 49 (LD 1297), Resolve, Regarding Measures to Ensure the Continued Health and Commercial Viability of Maine's Seacoast by Establishing Nutrient Standards for Coastal Waters
• Resolve, Chapter 63 (LD 968), Resolve, Regarding Measures to Ensure the Continued Health and Commercial Viability of Maine's Seacoast by Establishing Nutrient Standards for Coastal Waters. Emergency, effective 6/6/2007
• Resolve, Chapter 80 (LD 1219), Resolve, to Study Flood Control and Water Storage
• Resolve, Chapter 109 (LD 1528), Resolve, To Require State Agencies with Jurisdiction over Dams To Review and Update Plans for the Passage of Native Diadromous Fish
• Resolve, Chapter 139 (LD 564), Resolve, To Streamline the Regulation of Agricultural Composters

NOTE: The following proposed bills and enacted amendments affect laws that are not directly administered by the DEP, but cover subjects of related interest.

• Chapter 43, (LD 848), An Act to Encourage Greater Public Input into the State Environmental Licensing Process
• Chapter 157 (LD 1420), An Act to Amend the Definition of "Territorial Waters" and Study Maine's Coastal Policies
• Chapter 162 (LD 1265), An Act to Keep Private Road Maintenance Costs Affordable
• Chapter 389 (LD 559), An Act Regarding the Valuation of Land within Buffer Areas Established under the Natural Resources Protection Laws
• P&S, Chapter 29 (LD 674), An Act To Restore Funding to the Maine Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee
• Resolve, Chapter 21 (LD 1447), Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to Study Invasive Terrestrial Plant Species

2005-2006. Second Regular Session of the 122 Legislature. Effective date for regular legislation is August 23, 2006.

Enacted amendments and resolves

• Resolve, Chapter 175 (LD 1977), Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 355: Coastal Sand Dune Rules, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental Protection, Extending the Deadline for the Repeal of the Current Coastal Sand Dune Rules and Convening the Beaches Advisory Group. Emergency. Effective April 10, 2006.
• Resolve, Chapter 183 (LD 1981), Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 335: Significant Wildlife Habitat, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental Protection. Emergency. Emergency. Effective April 12, 2006.
• Resolve, Chapter 190 (LD 2070), Resolve, to Ensure the Availability of Public Drinking Water Supplies. Effective August 23, 2006.
• Chapter 44 (P&S Law) (LD 1774), An Act To Improve the Water Quality and Safety of Phillips Lake. Emergency. Effective March 30, 2006.
• Chapter 140 (LD 2037), Resolve, Regarding Source Water Protection Recommendations. Effective August 23, 2006.
• Chapter 548 (LD 1860), An Act Concerning Certain Provisions Regarding Protection of Natural Resources Related to Activities in Coastal Areas. Emergency. Effective April 6, 2006.
• Chapter 561 (LD 1888), An Act To Amend Certain Laws Administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. Effective August 23, 2006.
• Chapter 592 (LD 2071), An Act to Increase Wetland Protection. Effective August 23, 2006.
• Chapter 602 (LD 2035), An Act Regarding Storm Water Program Administration. Effective August 23, 2006.

NOTE: The following proposed bills and enacted amendments affect laws that not directly administered by the DEP, but cover subjects of related interest.

• P&S, Chapter 50 (LD 2018), An Act to Allow Consolidation of the Winterport Sewerage District and the Winterport Water District to Create Incentives for Consumers to Pay Water Bills. Effective April 13, 2006.
• Chapter 553 (LD 1657), An Act To Minimize the Risk to Maine's Marine Waters and Organisms Posed by the Application of Pesticides. Emergency. Effective April 7, 2006.
• Chapter 556, (LD 635), An Act Relating to Community Sanitary Districts
• Chapter 559 (LD 1776), An Act To Establish the Maine Agricultural Water Management Board and the Sustainable Agricultural Water Source Program. Emergency. Effective April 10, 2006.
• Chapter 564 (LD 816), An Act to Replace the Common Enemy Rule with Regard to Changing the Flow of Surface Water. Effective August 23, 2006.
• Chapter 586 (LD 2102), An Act To Change the Date for Agency Submission of Provisionally Adopted Major Substantive Rules. Effective August 23, 2006.

2004-2005. First Regular Session of the 122 Legislature and First Special Session (Winter/Spring 2004-2005). The effective date for regular legislation enacted during the First Regular Session is June 29, 2005 unless otherwise provided by the Legislature. The effective date for regular legislation enacted during the First Special Session is September 17, 2005 unless otherwise provided by the Legislature.

• Resolve, Chapter 29 (LD 1265). Resolve, Regarding Source Water Protection. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Resolve, Chapter 37 (LD 1160). Resolve, To Increase Wetland Protection. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Resolve, Chapter 43 (LD 667). Resolve, Regarding Nonnative Invasive Marine Species. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Resolve, Chapter 87 (LD 625). Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 500.... Emergency legislation, effective June 3, 2005.
• Resolve, Chapter 114 (LD 599). Resolve, Directing a Review of the Effects of Antifreeze, Engine Coolant and Aversive Agents on the Environment and Small Animals. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 116 (LD 261). An Act Concerning Significant Wildlife Habitat and Wetlands of Special Significance. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 157 (LD 293). An Act to Ensure Financial Solvency in Maine's Air and Wastewater Licensing Programs. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 158 (LD 1506). An Act To Update the Laws Governing Borrow Pits and Quarries. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 159 (LD 1497). An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Water Quality Standards for Ragged and Seboomook Lakes. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 182 (LD 1304). An Act Concerning Invasive Species and Water Quality Standards. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 217 (LD 648). An Act To Exempt Maine Agricultural Fairs from the Requirements of the Site Location of Development Laws. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 219 (LD 1558). An Act Concerning Storm Water Management. First Special Session. Effective September 17, 2005 (note section 8 "transition".)
• Chapter 226 (LD 188). An Act To Promote the Uniform Implementation of the Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 240 (LD 608). An Act To Assist Municipal Implementation and Enforcement of Storm Water Management Programs. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 244 (LD 991). An Act To Restore Municipal Authority To Review Development Using Flexible Standards. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 330 (LD 1558). An Act To Amend Certain Laws Administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 409 (LD 1450). An Act to Amend Water Quality Standards. First Special Session. Emergency legislation, effective June 20, 2005.
• Chapter 440 (LD 1161). An Act to Provide for Variance Notification in the Shoreland Zone. First Special Session. Effective September 17, 2005.
• Chapter 452 (LD 1643). An Act to Clarify and Harmonize State Policy on Groundwater Management. First Special Session. Effective September 17, 2005.