AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY

	AGRICULTURE DEPT
	POWERS

	LR: 2344	Sponsor: Senator Simpson of Androscoggin
	Title:	An Act To Create a Statewide Nuisance Animal Ordinance
	Comments:	This bill would create a statewide ordinance for municipalities concerning nuisance 
	animals.

	 

	ANIMALS
	DOGS

	LR: 2490	Sponsor: Representative Strang Burgess of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws That Provide an Exemption for Agricultural Guard Dogs 
	from Municipal Ordinances Governing Barking Dogs
	Comments:	Under current law, municipal ordinances governing barking dogs do not apply to 
	agricultural guard dogs.  This bill would limit application of that exemption to 
	agricultural guard dogs engaged in protecting livestock on parcels of land that are 5 
	acres or larger.

	 

	ANIMALS
	KENNELS

	LR: 2072	Sponsor: Senator Hobbins of York
	Title:	An Act To Strengthen the Laws against Illegal "Puppy Mill" Operators
	Comments:	This bill would strengthen the laws against operating an unlicensed kennel.

	 

	ANIMALS
	SERVICE

	LR: 2284	Sponsor: Representative Browne of Vassalboro
	Title:	An Act To Clarify Service Animal Identification
	Comments:	This bill would clarify service animal identification.

	 

	AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY

	FORESTRY
	PRACTICES

	LR: 2099	Sponsor: Representative McCabe of Skowhegan
	Title:	An Act To Regulate the Transportation of Firewood
	Comments:	This bill would ban the transportation into the State of firewood from outside of the 
	State unless the firewood is clearly marked as "kiln‑dried."

	 

	LAND USE REGULATION COMMISSION
	ADMINISTRATION

	LR: 2441	Sponsor: Representative Clark of Millinocket
	Title:	An Act To Ensure Consistency in Rulemaking by the Maine Land Use Regulation 
	Commission
	Comments:	The bill would require that all rules before the Maine Land Use Regulation 
	Commission be considered major substantive rules.

	 

	PESTICIDES
	APPLICATION PROCESS

	LR: 2067	Sponsor: Representative O'Brien of Lincolnville
	Title:	An Act To Streamline Maine's Pesticide Notification System
	Comments:	This bill would make 3 changes to the laws governing notification of pesticide 
	application using aerial spraying.   It would specify that notification be given to 
	abutters whose property line is within 1/4 mile of the location of the spraying.   It 
	would require that a person who wishes to be added to the registry sign up by April 
	30th of the year in which the person wishes to receive notification.   It would require 
	that if a farmer needs to undertake an unplanned aerial spraying, the farmer must 
	provide notification at least 48 hours prior to the spraying.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2330	Representative Berry

	LR: 2330	Sponsor: Representative Berry of Bowdoinham
	Title:	Resolve, Unifying Maine's Efforts To Notify Citizens of Powered Pesticide 
	Applications
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Board of Pesticides Control to establish a comprehensive 
	registry for citizens wishing to receive specific information about nearby powered 
	outdoor pesticide applications.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2067	Representative O'Brien

	APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

	ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SVC DEPT
	GENERAL SERVICES BUREAU

	LR: 2340	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	Resolve, To Streamline State Vehicle Operations
	Comments:	This resolve requires the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau 
	of General Services to study the feasibility of eliminating the central fleet of 
	state‑owned vehicles to achieve cost savings.  The Bureau of General Services would 
	be directed to report back to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
	jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs with its findings, including 
	potential cost savings, in January 2011.  The committee may report out legislation 
	based on the report.

	 

	BOND ISSUES
	HEALTH

	LR: 2327	Sponsor: Senator Marrache of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Create a New Electronic Medical 
	Records Infrastructure
	Comments:	This bill would authorize a General Fund bond issue to purchase the software and 
	hardware necessary for health care providers to exchange patients' health care records 
	electronically.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 729

	 

	LR: 2357	Sponsor: Representative Connor of Kennebunk
	Title:	An Act To Create Access to Dental Care throughout the State
	Comments:	This bill proposes a $7,000,000 bond for community dental care, to be awarded on a 
	competitive basis.  It provides that $5,000,000 would be awarded for a 
	community‑based teaching clinic affiliated or operated by a college of dental medicine 
	and $2,000,000 to upgrade community‑based health care clinics across the State to 
	increase their capacity.

	 

	APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

	BOND ISSUES
	TRANSPORTATION

	LR: 2076	Sponsor: Representative Theriault of Madawaska
	Title:	An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Purchase and Upgrade Trackage 
	of the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway, Ltd.
	Comments:	This bill would allow a general fund bond issue for the purchase and upgrade of 
	trackage of the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway,  Ltd. to maintain service to 
	towns in the northern part of the State.

	 

	SPENDING
	EDUCATION

	LR: 2435	Sponsor: Senator Gerzofsky of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Stimulate Education and Job Creation through the Establishment of a Public 
	Center for Higher Education at the Former Brunswick Naval Air Station
	Comments:	This bill would provide ongoing appropriations in the amount of $4,280,000 per year 
	to fund the establishment and operation of the Southern Maine Community College 
	Mid‑Coast Campus for higher education on the site of the former Brunswick Naval Air 
	Station.

	 

	SPENDING
	PUBLIC SAFETY

	LR: 2154	Sponsor: Representative Martin, J. L. of Eagle Lake
	Title:	An Act To Transfer Funds from the Maine Emergency Management Agency to Maine 
	Public Broadcasting
	Comments:	This bill would transfer $250,000 from the Maine Emergency Management Agency to 
	the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

	 

	APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

	STATE FINANCES
	BUDGET PROCEDURES

	LR: 2040	Sponsor: Representative Lovejoy of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Provide Greater Transparency in State Budgeting
	Comments:	This bill would require state departments to provide the Legislature and appropriate 
	policy committees information on account and fund balances and any unpaid 
	obligations as of the end of each fiscal year.  Departments would be required to provide 
	a detailed accounting for all accounts that represent any balances carried forward from 
	the end of the prior year.  This bill would require departments to identify the carry 
	forward balance of and provide information on expenditures from a dedicated revenue 
	account.

	 

	LR: 2384	Sponsor: Representative Eves of North Berwick
	Title:	Resolve, To Establish the Maine Children's Budget
	Comments:	This resolve would require state departments, beginning with the budget for the 
	2012‑2013 biennium, to present aspects of the budget that relate to prenatal services 
	and services provided to children under 5 years of age in a coordinated fashion and in a 
	format that provides separate line items for these expenditures.

	 

	STATE FINANCES
	DEDICATED FUNDS

	LR: 2041	Sponsor: Representative Lovejoy of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Place Limits on the Amount of Money That May Be Carried Forward in a 
	Dedicated Revenue Account
	Comments:	This bill would place limits on the amount of money that may be carried forward in a 
	dedicated revenue account.  It would require that balances above these limits be 
	transferred to the General Fund.

	 

	LR: 2068	Sponsor: Senator Courtney of York
	Title:	An Act To Maintain Funding for Death Benefits for Law Enforcement Personnel and 
	Firefighters
	Comments:	A direct initiative of legislation, "An Act To Provide Tax Relief," that will appear on 
	the November 3, 2009 ballot repeals language that specifies that death benefits for law 
	enforcement personnel and firefighters are payable from the Maine Budget 
	Stabilization Fund.  If the direct initiative of legislation is passed at referendum this 
	November, this bill would restore that language.

	 

	BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

	BUSINESS PRACTICES
	AUTOMOBILE SALES

	LR: 2069	Sponsor: Representative Pilon of Saco
	Title:	An Act To Facilitate an Increase in Sales of Motor Vehicles
	Comments:	This bill would facilitate an increase in the sales of motor vehicles by removing the 
	prohibition on the sales of motor vehicles on Sundays.

	 

	LR: 2391	Sponsor: Senator Bliss of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Protect Maine Consumers
	Comments:	This bill would require vehicle reporting agencies to disclose information to the 
	vehicle's owner upon request with proper identification about the value of the property.

	 

	BUSINESS PRACTICES
	FAIR CREDIT REPORTING

	LR: 2156	Sponsor: Senator Bartlett of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Protect Maine Citizens' Credit
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit a person who provides medical treatment or a debt collection 
	agency from furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency regarding an 
	amount owed by a consumer whose income is below a certain level for the receipt of 
	necessary medical treatment by the consumer or by a person to whom the consumer has 
	a legal obligation to provide support.  The Department of Professional and Financial 
	Regulation, Office of Consumer Credit Regulation would be given enforcement 
	authority to investigate complaints.

	 

	BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

	BUSINESS PRACTICES
	MARKETING

	LR: 2092	Sponsor: Senator Schneider of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act To Protect Minors from Unscrupulous Marketing Practices
	Comments:	This bill would amend a recently enacted law concerning marketing and data collection 
	practices concerning minors in order to address constitutional issues.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2305	Senator Schneider
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2331	Representative Cleary
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2348	Representative Johnson

	LR: 2305	Sponsor: Senator Schneider of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Predatory Marketing Practices against Minors
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing predatory marketing practices against 
	minors to limit the application of the laws to individually identifiable health‑related 
	information.  It also removes provisions that permit a private right of action by a 
	person about whom information is unlawfully collected or who is the object of 
	predatory marketing and that permit the Attorney General to bring a civil action 
	pursuant to federal law.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2092	Senator Schneider
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2331	Representative Cleary
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2348	Representative Johnson

	LR: 2331	Sponsor: Representative Cleary of Houlton
	Title:	An Act To Protect the Privacy of Minors
	Comments:	This bill would amend those portions of Public Law 2009, chapter 230 that may be 
	unconstitutional.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2092	Senator Schneider
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2305	Senator Schneider
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2348	Representative Johnson

	LR: 2348	Sponsor: Representative Johnson of Greenville
	Title:	An Act To Stop Predatory Marketing Practices against Minors
	Comments:	This bill would define "minor" as a person under 16 years of age in the new law 
	dealing with marketing and data collection practices.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2092	Senator Schneider
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2305	Senator Schneider
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2331	Representative Cleary

	BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

	BUSINESS PRACTICES
	SALES

	LR: 2356	Sponsor: Senator Trahan of Lincoln
	Title:	An Act To Strengthen Consumer Protection against Financial and Identity Theft
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit merchants that process credit and debit card transactions 
	electronically from printing more than the last 5 digits of the credit or debit card 
	account numbers on copies of receipts retained by the merchant.

	 

	BUSINESS PRACTICES
	WARRANTIES

	LR: 2165	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	An Act to Clarify the Laws Governing Extended Warranties
	Comments:	This bill would require sellers of consumer goods who offer extended service contracts 
	to provide written notification, in bold type and plain language, of the existence and 
	details of the State's implied warranty laws.

	 

	BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

	ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
	PLANNING

	LR: 2358	Sponsor: Senator Simpson of Androscoggin
	Title:	An Act To Increase the Financial Stability of Low‑income Families
	Comments:	This bill would establish a working group, based on a model established in California, 
	that is composed of community organizations, financial institutions, state agencies and 
	Legislators to develop strategies to bring people with low and middle incomes into the 
	mainstream banking system and away from check cashing businesses.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2488	Senator Sullivan

	LR: 2421	Sponsor: Senator Gerzofsky of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Enhance the Redevelopment of the Brunswick Naval Air Station
	Comments:	The bill would provide funds to support the Brunswick Naval Air Station 
	redevelopment.

	 

	LR: 2444	Sponsor: Representative Giles of Belfast
	Title:	An Act To Encourage Private Enterprise by Prohibiting the University of Maine from 
	Economically Harming Private Enterprise
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit the University of Maine System from economically harming a 
	private enterprise.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 598

	 

	LR: 2479	Sponsor: Senator Rector of Knox
	Title:	An Act To Enhance the Small Enterprise Growth Fund
	Comments:	This bill would allow the Small Enterprise Growth Board to establish and manage a 
	companion investment fund comprised of capital contributions from private and other 
	sources to be made available for investing in small Maine companies with terms 
	similar to the Small Enterprise Growth Fund.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 1

	LR: 2488	Sponsor: Senator Sullivan of York
	Title:	An Act To Encourage Personal Savings
	Comments:	This bill would create a working group of community organizations, financial 
	institutions, state agencies and Legislators to develop strategies to get low‑income 
	people involved in the mainstream banking system and away from check‑cashing and 
	payday lending establishments.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2358	Senator Simpson

	BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

	FINANCE AUTHORITY
	ADMINISTRATION

	LR: 2324	Sponsor: Senator Schneider of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act To Provide the Finance Authority of Maine with Flexible Health Care Options
	Comments:	This bill would include employees of the Finance Authority of Maine as those eligible 
	to participate in the State Health Plan.

	 

	LR: 2325	Sponsor: Senator Schneider of Penobscot
	Title:	Resolve, To Ensure Consistency in the Scheduled Expiration of Terms of the Board 
	Members of the Finance Authority of Maine
	Comments:	This resolve would amend the terms of membership of 3 members of the board of 
	directors of the Finance Authority of Maine to ensure that the terms of the board 
	members are staggered.

	 

	HOUSING
	CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

	LR: 2422	Sponsor: Senator Diamond of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Establish a Sprinkler System Requirement in the Maine Uniform Building 
	and Energy Code
	Comments:	This bill would specify in the law governing the Maine Uniform Building and Energy 
	Code that a fire sprinkler system must be installed in all new one‑family and 2‑family 
	dwellings in subdivisions of 5 or more homes without certain other fire protection 
	methods.

	 

	BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

	HOUSING
	ENERGY CONSERVATION

	LR: 2235	Sponsor: Senator Goodall of Sagadahoc
	Title:	An Act To Promote Affordable Energy‑efficient Housing
	Comments:	This bill would allow affordable housing projects to be built and receive funding 
	outside of designated growth areas as long as 50.1% of the development is set aside in 
	conservation and energy‑efficient buildings are built.  The buildings would need to 
	meet a certain threshold rating requirement, such as the United States Department of 
	Energy's and the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star 
	program or the U. S. Green Building Council's LEED certification.

	 

	LR: 2456	Sponsor: Representative Hinck of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Promote Construction of Zero Net Energy Buildings
	Comments:	This bill would establish programs to promote the construction of zero net energy 
	homes and buildings.

	 

	INDUSTRIES
	HOTELS AND MOTELS

	LR: 2335	Sponsor: Representative Knapp of Gorham
	Title:	An Act To Conserve Energy and Water
	Comments:	This bill would require a motel or hotel to offer a patron the option of not having their 
	towels or sheets washed if they are staying more than one night.

	 

	LR: 2336	Sponsor: Representative Knapp of Gorham
	Title:	An Act To Require That Lights in Hotels and Motels Are Turned on by Using Room 
	Keys
	Comments:	This bill would require that lights in hotels and motels are turned on by using room 
	keys.

	 

	LR: 2337	Sponsor: Representative Knapp of Gorham
	Title:	An Act To Conserve Water
	Comments:	This bill would require bars, hotels and motels to have big flushes and small flushes in 
	bathrooms to help conserve water.

	 

	BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

	LICENSING
	ACCOUNTANTS

	LR: 2341	Sponsor: Senator Marrache of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Clarify the Educational Requirements of Candidates for Examination for 
	Licensure as Certified Public Accountants
	Comments:	This bill would reinstate the original law pertaining to the educational requirements 
	required to sit for the examination for licensure as a certified public accountant, as well 
	as the requirements for licensure.

	 

	LICENSING
	AUCTIONEERS

	LR: 2498	Sponsor: Representative Adams of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Protect Maine's Integral and Historic Documents
	Comments:	This bill would require licensed auctioneers and antique dealers to report discovery of 
	certain town, county and state documents with historic value to the State to allow the 
	State to ascertain true ownership.

	 

	LR: 2502	Sponsor: Senator Bryant, B. of Oxford
	Title:	An Act To Improve the Standards of Auctioneers
	Comments:	This bill would strengthen the standards that govern auctioneers.

	 

	LICENSING
	DENTAL PERSONNEL

	LR: 2172	Sponsor: Representative Blanchard of Old Town
	Title:	An Act To Allow the Board of Dental Examiners To Grant Permits To Qualified 
	Individuals To Practice as Dental Residents
	Comments:	This bill would allow the board to issue a temporary permit or license to a qualified 
	individual to practice as a dental resident under the supervision of a licensed dentist 
	within a board‑approved dental residency program setting.

	 

	BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

	LICENSING
	NURSES

	LR: 2306	Sponsor: Representative Perry, A. of Calais
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
	Comments:	This bill would delete outdated language relating to delegated medical procedures that 
	are already within the scope of certain advanced practice registered nurses.

	 

	MANUFACTURED HOUSING
	RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

	LR: 2288	Sponsor: Senator Schneider of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act Regarding the Law Governing Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers, 
	Distributors and Dealers
	Comments:	Under current law, recreational vehicles, which are defined as vehicles that are 
	mounted on or towed by other vehicles, and motorized recreational vehicles are 
	governed by separate laws for purposes of regulation of business practices.  This bill 
	would remove motorized recreational vehicles from the laws governing regulation of 
	motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors and dealers and would add them to the laws 
	governing nonmotorized recreational vehicles.

	 

	PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REG. DEPT
	ADMINISTRATION

	LR: 2457	Sponsor: Representative Smith, N. of Monmouth
	Title:	An Act To Establish an Office of Administrative Law Judges for Licensing Boards
	Comments:	This bill would establish an independent office of administrative law judges to decide 
	cases related to licensing complaints from licensing boards under the Department of 
	Professional and Financial Regulation.

	 

	PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REG. DEPT
	POWERS

	LR: 2054	Sponsor: Representative Peterson of Rumford
	Title:	An Act To Clarify the Enforcement Role of the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine
	Comments:	This bill would enhance and clarify the licensing and oversight authority of the Mixed 
	Martial Arts Authority of Maine

	 

	CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

	BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
	CORRECTIONS BOARD

	LR: 2159	Sponsor: Senator Smith, D. of Piscataquis
	Title:	An Act To Repeal the Laws Requiring the Coordination of State and County 
	Correctional Services
	Comments:	This bill would repeal the laws requiring the coordination of state and county 
	correctional services.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2164	Senator Trahan

	LR: 2164	Sponsor: Senator Trahan of Lincoln
	Title:	An Act To Repeal the Laws Governing the Coordination of State and County 
	Correctional Services
	Comments:	This bill would repeal the laws requiring the coordination of state and county 
	correctional services.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2159	Senator Smith, D.

	LR: 2195	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	An Act To Make Improvements to the Laws Governing the State Board of Corrections
	Comments:	This bill would permit counties to collect from the property tax levy an amount above 
	the current caps in statute equal to the difference between the amount of state funds 
	certified by the State Board of Corrections as necessary to continue operations in 
	county jails and the amount actually appropriated by the Legislature when the latter 
	amount is less than the former amount.

	 

	LR: 2338	Sponsor: Senator Nass, R. of York
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing County Jail Budgeting for York County
	Comments:	This bill would amend the law governing county jail budgeting for York County to 
	allow York County to use revenues from boarding prisoners to offset other county 
	expenses, to alter the allocation for the county jail's contribution to the payroll for 
	certain services and to require that the debt service for the county jail be paid out of the 
	jail budget rather than the county budget.

	 

	CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

	CORRECTIONS DEPT
	PROCEDURES

	LR: 2289	Sponsor: Representative Schatz of Blue Hill
	Title:	Resolve, To Reduce the Use and Abuse of Solitary Confinement
	Comments:	This resolve would require the Department of Corrections to amend its policies to 
	provide that a prisoner may not remain confined in a special management unit for more 
	than 45 days unless it is established at a hearing that the prisoner within the previous 
	45 days, while incarcerated, committed or attempted to commit:  an act of violence that 
	resulted in serious injury to another or death; an act in connection with sexual assault; 
	or an escape or attempted escape from within a security perimeter or custody. This 
	resolve would provide procedural safeguards for such a hearing.  It also would prohibit 
	the placement of a prisoner with a serious mental illness in a special management unit 
	and limit the use of restraints in such a unit.

	 

	CRIMES
	MOTOR VEHICLE

	LR: 2470	Sponsor: Representative Strang Burgess of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Change Operating after Suspension to a Civil Violation
	Comments:	This bill would change the violation of operating a motor vehicle after the suspension 
	of a driver's license from a criminal violation to a civil violation.

	 

	CRIMES
	NEGOTIATING WORTHLESS INSTRUMENT

	LR: 2200	Sponsor: Representative Shaw of Standish
	Title:	An Act To Increase the Penalties for Writing Bad Checks
	Comments:	This bill would amend the criminal laws governing bad checks by increasing the 
	classification of crimes involving bad checks by one class and, in cases where a 
	transfer of merchandise occurred, allowing these crimes to be classified as a theft 30 
	days after the date stamped on the check by the bank indicating insufficient funds.  It 
	would amend the civil laws governing bad checks by extending the statute of 
	limitations to 18 months and allowing a person to recover triple damages plus court 
	costs and attorney's fees.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 1107

	 

	CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

	CRIMES
	SEX OFFENSES

	LR: 2105	Sponsor: Senator Gerzofsky of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Require Persons Who Commit Sex Offenses against Dependent or 
	Incapacitated Adults To Register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification 
	Act of 1999
	Comments:	This bill would expand the definition of "sex offense" for purposes of the duty to 
	register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 1999 to include 
	those persons who commit sex offenses against dependent or incapacitated adults.

	 

	LR: 2142	Sponsor: Senator Courtney of York
	Title:	An Act To Increase the Maximum Distance from a School and a Day Care Center That 
	May Be Set by Municipal Ordinance beyond Which a Sex Offender May Reside
	Comments:	This bill would increase the maximum distance that may be set by municipal ordinance 
	beyond which a sex offender may reside from 750 to 2,500 feet.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2189	Representative Flaherty

	LR: 2189	Sponsor: Representative Flaherty of Scarborough
	Title:	An Act To Limit the Distance from a Day Care Facility within Which a Registered Sex 
	Offender May Reside
	Comments:	Current law restricts the distance from a school within which a registered sex offender 
	may reside.  This bill expands the law to limit the distance from a day care facility 
	within which a registered sex offender may reside.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2142	Senator Courtney

	CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

	FIRE SAFETY
	FIRE DEPARTMENTS

	LR: 2186	Sponsor: Representative Sykes of Harrison
	Title:	An Act To Require That All Rules Adopted by the Bureau of Labor Standards 
	Concerning Fire and Rescue Issues Benefit from Legislative Review
	Comments:	This bill would specify that all rules adopted by the Department of Labor, Bureau of 
	Labor Standards concerning fire and rescue issues are major substantive rules.

	 

	LR: 2211	Sponsor: Senator Jackson of Aroostook
	Title:	An Act Regarding Accidental Death Benefits for Beneficiaries of Deceased 
	Firefighters
	Comments:	This bill would provide an accidental death benefit to the beneficiary of a firefighter 
	who dies from cardiovascular or pulmonary disease as described in the Maine Revised 
	Statutes, Title 39‑A, section 328.  This bill would apply only to municipal firefighters 
	who are members of the Participating Local District Retirement Program administered 
	by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.  This bill would provide an 
	accidental death benefit and not a disability benefit to the beneficiary of the firefighter 
	who died in the line of duty.

	 

	FIRE SAFETY
	FIRE MARSHAL

	LR: 2196	Sponsor: Representative Pilon of Saco
	Title:	An Act To Restore the Minimum Distance between Generators and Residential 
	Structures to One Foot
	Comments:	Rules adopted by the Department of Public Safety, Office of the State Fire Marshal, 
	which incorporated by reference National Fire Protection Association standard number 
	37, increased the minimum distance allowed between a stationary generator and a 
	residential structure from one foot to 5 feet.  This bill restores the minimum distance 
	allowed to one foot.

	 

	FIRE SAFETY
	SMOKE DETECTORS

	LR: 2417	Sponsor: Senator Diamond of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Law Pertaining to Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide 
	Detectors
	Comments:	This bill would clarify when and where smoke detectors and carbon monoxide 
	detectors must be used.

	 

	CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

	JUVENILE OFFENDERS
	JUVENILE CODE

	LR: 2117	Sponsor: Representative Haskell of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Juvenile Justice Task Force
	Comments:	This bill would implement the recommendations of the Juvenile Justice Task Force, 
	which include the establishment of a Coordinated Services District System, the 
	implementation by the Department of Corrections of 2 demonstration projects, the 
	development of a statewide system for "in home and out of home placements," and the 
	development of a plan identifying an ongoing mechanism to provide flexible funding 
	for youth served by multiple state agencies.

	 

	LAW ENFORCEMENT
	OFFICER CERTIFICATION

	LR: 2129	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	An Act To Expand the Scope of Motor Vehicle Inspection for Certain Law 
	Enforcement Officers
	Comments:	This bill would include sheriffs and deputy sheriffs in the law enforcement officers 
	who may demand and inspect a driver's record of duty status and medical examiner's 
	certificate.

	 

	OPERATING UNDER INFLUENCE
	BLOOD‑ALCOHOL LEVEL

	LR: 2312	Sponsor: Senator Hobbins of York
	Title:	An Act To Restore the Laws Governing Operating under the Influence
	Comments:	Last session, the Legislature enacted Public Law 2009, chapter 447, "An Act 
	Clarifying the Manner in Which a Person's Alcohol Level Is Determined under Maine 
	Law."  This bill would eliminate the changes made by that law and restore the law that 
	existed prior to its enactment.

	 

	OPERATING UNDER INFLUENCE
	EVIDENCE

	LR: 2373	Sponsor: Representative Tilton of Harrington
	Title:	An Act To Discourage Drunk Driving
	Comments:	The bill would require a more intensive and standardized curriculum and test for 
	determining if a person is drunk.

	 

	CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

	OPERATING UNDER INFLUENCE
	PENALTIES

	LR: 2055	Sponsor: Senator Bartlett of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Allow Greater Use of the Ignition Interlock Device Program
	Comments:	This bill proposes to extend the authority of the Secretary of State regarding license 
	suspensions and installation of ignition interlock devices.

	 

	PAROLE
	SYSTEM REINSTATED

	LR: 2043	Sponsor: Representative Tuttle of Sanford
	Title:	An Act To Reinstate a System of Parole and To Implement a Program Designed To 
	Reintegrate Former Prisoners into the Community
	Comments:	This bill would reinstate a system of parole, direct the Department of Corrections to 
	examine the issue of aging prisoners and implement a program designed to reintegrate 
	former prisoners into the community.

	 

	PUBLIC SAFETY
	COMMUNICATIONS

	LR: 2197	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	An Act Concerning Statewide Communications Interoperability
	Comments:	This bill would require that the statewide radio network under construction be 
	available to other units of government without the need for other units of government 
	to purchase new radios or that a portion of the proceeds of the bond issue paying for 
	the statewide radio network be allocated to local units of government for the purchase 
	of radio equipment necessary for them to communicate on the new network.

	 

	PUBLIC SAFETY
	EMERGENCIES

	LR: 2285	Sponsor: Representative McLeod of Lee
	Title:	An Act To Create a Duty To Report Serious Injuries
	Comments:	This bill would require persons observing a serious injury to report to emergency 
	officials and create a cause of action against a person who fails to report as required.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 1258

	 

	CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

	SENTENCES
	ALTERNATIVES

	LR: 2383	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	An Act To Provide Full Accountability for Convicted Class D Sex Offenders
	Comments:	This bill would change the law to allow a judge to sentence any person convicted of a 
	Class D crime under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17‑A, chapter 11 or chapter 12 
	to up to 2 years probation.

	 

	EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

	ADULT EDUCATION
	PROGRAMS

	LR: 2343	Sponsor: Representative McFadden of Dennysville
	Title:	An Act To Establish a School of Practical Skills in Washington County
	Comments:	This bill would establish a school of practical skills in Washington County.

	 

	COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
	DEGREE AUTHORITY

	LR: 2095	Sponsor: Representative Welsh of Rockport
	Title:	An Act To Authorize Maine Media College To Confer the Degree of Master of Fine 
	Arts
	Comments:	Private and Special Law 2009, chapter 9 recognized the change in ownership of 
	Rockport College, which was renamed Maine Media College.  That law also provided 
	authorization for Maine Media College to confer, until June 30, 2010, the degree of 
	Master of Fine Arts, while the college sought national accreditation for the program 
	and authority from the State Board of Education.  This bill would extend the authority 
	of the college to confer such degrees after June 30, 2010.

	 

	COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
	STUDENT FINANCIAL AID

	LR: 2209	Sponsor: Representative Morrison of South Portland
	Title:	An Act To Establish an Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program
	Comments:	This bill would establish an early high school graduation achievement scholarship 
	program for students graduating early.

	 

	COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
	TUITION WAIVERS

	LR: 2047	Sponsor: Representative Cornell du Houx of Brunswick
	Title:	An Act To Clarify the State's Initiative Involving the Federal Post‑9/11 Veterans 
	Educational Assistance Act of 2008
	Comments:	This bill would clarify an ambiguity in law that prevents Maine's public colleges and 
	universities from receiving the full amount of reimbursement for veterans under the 
	federal Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

	 

	EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

	CONSOLIDATION
	ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS

	LR: 2194	Sponsor: Representative McFadden of Dennysville
	Title:	An Act To Remove the Requirement That the Annual Budget of a Regional School 
	Unit Must Be Approved at a Budget Validation Referendum
	Comments:	This bill would remove the requirement that a referendum must be held in the regional 
	school unit to allow the voters to validate or reject the total budget adopted at the 
	regional school unit budget meeting.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 570

	LR: 2271	Sponsor: Representative Saviello of Wilton
	Title:	An Act To Form a Western Maine Regional School Unit
	Comments:	This bill would authorize the Commissioner of Education to allow the formation of a 
	regional school unit to include Maine School Administrative District No. 58, Copeland 
	Plantation, Highland Plantation and those unorganized territories with students that 
	currently attend Maine School Administrative District No. 58.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 570

	LR: 2428	Sponsor: Senator Perry, J. of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act To Exempt the Town of Hermon from the School Administrative Unit 
	Consolidation Law
	Comments:	This bill would exempt the Town of Hermon from the school administrative unit 
	consolidation law.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 570

	EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

	CONSOLIDATION
	COST‑SHARING

	LR: 2073	Sponsor: Representative Connor of Kennebunk
	Title:	An Act to Require the State To Pay the Costs of School Administration Consolidation
	Comments:	This bill would require the State to pay by July 1, 2012 the cost of consolidation of any 
	town or community that complied by June 2, 2009 with the laws governing the 
	reorganization of school administrative units.

	 

	LR: 2323	Sponsor: Senator Bowman of York
	Title:	An Act To Allow the Town of Wells and the Town of Ogunquit To Amend the Terms 
	of Their Cost‑sharing Agreement for Their Community School District and To Provide 
	Each Town the Ability To Withdraw from the Wells‑Ogunquit Community School 
	District
	Comments:	This bill would allow the Town of Wells and the Town of Ogunquit to amend the terms 
	of their cost‑sharing agreement for their community school district and to provide each 
	town the ability to withdraw from the Wells‑Ogunquit Community School District.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 475

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2106	Representative Miller

	CONSOLIDATION
	SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL FROM RSU

	LR: 2106	Sponsor: Representative Miller of Somerville
	Title:	An Act To Allow a School To Withdraw from a Regional School Unit
	Comments:	This bill would allow a school to withdraw from a regional school unit and become a 
	part of another school administrative unit.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 475

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2323	Senator Bowman

	CULTURAL AGENCIES
	ARTS COMMISSION

	LR: 2463	Sponsor: Representative Percy of Phippsburg
	Title:	An Act To Implement Recommendations Contained in the Audit of the Maine State 
	Library, Maine Arts Commission, Maine State Museum Commission and Maine 
	Historic Preservation Commission
	Comments:	This bill would implement the recommendations contained in the audit of the Maine 
	State Library, Maine Arts Commission, Maine State Museum Commission and Maine 
	Historic Preservation Commission.

	 

	EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

	CULTURAL AGENCIES
	NEW

	LR: 2133	Sponsor: Senator Raye of Washington
	Title:	An Act To Establish the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame
	Comments:	This bill would establish the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.

	 

	EDUCATION DEPT
	POWERS

	LR: 2062	Sponsor: Senator Mills, P. of Somerset
	Title:	An Act To Maximize Maine's Eligibility To Receive Grants from the Federal Race to 
	the Top Fund
	Comments:	This bill would enact changes to the laws governing education that are necessary to 
	maximize the State's eligibility for receiving competitive grants under the federal Race 
	to the Top Fund, including, but not limited to, creating the conditions for education 
	innovation and reform; implementing plans in education reform areas described in the 
	federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; authorizing charter 
	schools; and achieving significant improvement in student outcomes.

	 

	LR: 2185	Sponsor: Representative Flaherty of Scarborough
	Title:	Resolve, To Direct the Department of Education To Convene a Task Force To Review 
	Educational Opportunities for English Language Learners in the State
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Department of Education to convene a task force to 
	review educational opportunities for English language learners in the State.

	 

	SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
	ADJUSTMENTS

	LR: 2387	Sponsor: Representative Webster of Freeport
	Title:	An Act To Create Fair Education Funding for Regional School Units
	Comments:	This bill would distribute funds originally proposed to be sent to schools that 
	successfully consolidated.

	 

	EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

	SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
	ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

	LR: 2241	Sponsor: Representative Wagner of Lyman
	Title:	Resolve, To Adjust the State Educational Funding Assistance Formula
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Department of Education to use the most recent 2006 
	labor market areas data from the United States Department of Labor to compute 
	funding for essential programs and services instead of the 2003 data now in use.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 551

	LR: 2311	Sponsor: Representative Rotundo of Lewiston
	Title:	An Act To Allow Minor Capital School Improvement Projects To Be Permitted Costs 
	under Essential Programs and Services
	Comments:	This bill would allow the cost of minor capital school improvement projects, such as 
	the replacement of windows, a boiler or a roof, to be a permitted cost under essential 
	programs and services.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 551

	EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

	SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
	PAYMENT OF SUBSIDY

	LR: 2201	Sponsor: Representative O'Brien of Lincolnville
	Title:	An Act To Exempt from Penalties School Administrative Units That Would Lose 
	Subsidy as a Result of Reorganization
	Comments:	This bill would exempt from paying penalties all school administrative units in a 
	reorganizing group of school administrative units when the reorganization would result 
	in the loss of subsidy for one or more of the school administrative units.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 570

	LR: 2202	Sponsor: Representative O'Brien of Lincolnville
	Title:	An Act To Require the Department of Education To Calculate Subsidy on the Basis of 
	Membership in a Regional School Unit or an Alternative Organizational Structure and 
	as if the School Administrative Unit Had Not Reorganized as of 2009
	Comments:	This bill would require the Department of Education to calculate the subsidy a school 
	administrative unit would receive as part of a regional school unit or an alternative 
	organizational structure and as if the school administrative unit had not reorganized as 
	of 2009.  The department would be required to pay the larger subsidy amount to the 
	regional school unit or alternative organizational structure of which that school 
	administrative unit is a member.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 160

	LR: 2353	Sponsor: Representative Rotundo of Lewiston
	Title:	An Act To Waive Certain Penalties Imposed against School Administrative Units if the 
	State Has Not Fulfilled Its Goal of Paying 55% of Costs
	Comments:	This bill would waive the state subsidy penalty imposed against a school administrative 
	unit that has not raised the minimum amount for education costs if the State has not 
	fulfilled its goal of paying 55% of essential programs and services costs.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 551

	EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

	SCHOOL POLICIES
	GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

	LR: 2251	Sponsor: Senator Alfond of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Increase Maine's High School Graduation Rate
	Comments:	This bill would require the State's graduation rate to be 90% by the year 2016.  The bill 
	would require the Department of Education and the State Board of Education to 
	establish a stakeholders group to make recommendations and propose legislation 
	related to:  establishing guidelines for school suspensions and expulsions; the impact 
	and implementation of zero‑tolerance practices; current truancy laws to determine best 
	practices for schools, families and youth; and raising the mandatory age of school 
	attendance from 17 to 18 years of age.  The stakeholders would report on their 
	recommendations with proposed legislation to the 125th Legislature by January 2011.

	 

	SCHOOL POLICIES
	SCHOOL YEAR

	LR: 2351	Sponsor: Representative Sutherland of Chapman
	Title:	Resolve, To Develop a Model Academic Year Calendar
	Comments:	This resolve would establish a study group for kindergarten‑to‑grade‑12 school 
	officials, primarily superintendents and career and technical education  directors, 
	called together by the Commissioner of Education, to prepare a draft academic year 
	calendar.  The calendar would be available for statewide review by December 1, 2010.  
	It would allow the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs to 
	submit legislation for the 125th Legislature.

	 

	SPECIAL EDUCATION
	SERVICES

	LR: 2151	Sponsor: Senator Bowman of York
	Title:	An Act To Permit Representation by Persons Other Than Attorneys in Certain 
	Hearings, Actions and Proceedings before the Department of Education
	Comments:	This bill would specifically authorize a person who is not an attorney to represent or 
	assist a party in any hearing, action or proceeding before the Department of Education.

	 

	EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

	UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM
	ADMINISTRATION

	LR: 2443	Sponsor: Senator Marrache of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Protect University of Maine Students from Unnecessary Tuition Increases
	Comments:	This bill would require that the University of Maine System divest and monetize 
	certain telecommunications service property and information service property.

	 

	UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM
	CHARTER CHANGES

	LR: 2420	Sponsor: Senator Alfond of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Assist the University of Maine System To Achieve Its Core Mission
	Comments:	This bill would implement changes to the charter of the University of Maine System in 
	order to help the university put into practice the recommendations of the so‑called 
	"Flanagan Commission" and to make other changes consistent with refocusing the 
	University of Maine System on its core mission of education and research.

	 

	UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM
	POWERS

	LR: 2269	Sponsor: Representative Saviello of Wilton
	Title:	Resolve, To Give Linwood Wright His Bachelor's Degree in Forestry from the 
	University of Maine
	Comments:	This bill would allow an 84‑year‑old veteran in poor health to receive a bachelor's 
	degree in forestry from the University of Maine.  Mr. Wright left the University of 
	Maine in 1948 in his junior year to fly 129 missions in the Berlin Airlift and remained 
	in military service until his retirement.

	 

	HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

	CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
	PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CHILD)

	LR: 2368	Sponsor: Senator Sullivan of York
	Title:	An Act To Require the Department of Health and Human Services To Represent the 
	Child in All Proceedings on Protection from Abuse Orders Involving a Child
	Comments:	This bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to represent the 
	child in all proceedings on protection from abuse orders involving a child.

	 

	CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
	SOCIAL SERVICES

	LR: 2270	Sponsor: Representative Saviello of Wilton
	Title:	An Act To Extend the Maternal and Infant Death Review Panel
	Comments:	The maternal and infant death review panel established under the Department of 
	Health and Human Services is currently scheduled to end January 1, 2011.  This bill 
	would extend the date of the panel's repeal to January 1, 2016 to give the panel time to 
	complete its work.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2329	Senator Marrache

	LR: 2329	Sponsor: Senator Marrache of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Ensure the Continuation of the Maternal and Infant Death Review Panel
	Comments:	This bill would repeal the provision of law ending the maternal and infant death review 
	panel on January 1, 2011.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2270	Representative Saviello

	DISABLED PERSONS
	CHILDREN

	LR: 2276	Sponsor: Senator Alfond of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Improve the Availability, Efficiency and Cost of Services for Infants, 
	Young Children and Their Families
	Comments:	This bill would restructure the services available to infants and young children with 
	developmental disabilities, including autism, and delays.  The restructured services 
	would include supports to the families of these young people.  It aims to improve 
	informed choices for families and improve the coordination of services among 
	numerous agencies and state departments.  The new structure would be streamlined to 
	improve identification of need, ease of accessing services, improve outcomes for young 
	children and their families and improve efficiency in the use of state funds.

	 

	HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

	DISEASES
	REPORTING

	LR: 2198	Sponsor: Representative Goode of Bangor
	Title:	Resolve, To Define High‑risk Populations for the Purposes of Hospital Surveillance for 
	Methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and To Implement Public Law 2009, 
	chapter 346
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Maine Quality Forum to adopt rules defining a high‑risk 
	population and to adopt rules requiring the reporting of positive methicillin‑resistant 
	staphylococcus aureus screening.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2493	Senator Mills, P.

	LR: 2301	Sponsor: Representative Piotti of Unity
	Title:	An Act To Prevent the Spread of Eastern Equine Encephalitis
	Comments:	This bill would establish a state‑municipal partnership to improve suppression, 
	prevention and reporting of Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

	 

	ELDERLY
	PROTECTIVE SERVICES

	LR: 2059	Sponsor: Representative Rotundo of Lewiston
	Title:	An Act To Establish a Silver Alert Program
	Comments:	This bill would establish a so‑called "silver alert" program to provide notice to law 
	enforcement agencies, the media and the public regarding missing adults with 
	disabilities.

	 

	HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
	NURSING HOMES

	LR: 2436	Sponsor: Representative Perry, A. of Calais
	Title:	An Act To Ensure Fairness in Penalties for Administrative Errors in the Long‑term 
	Care Assessment Process
	Comments:	This bill would require that for nursing homes and private nonmedical institutions, to 
	the extent the Department of Health and Human Services establishes penalties or 
	denies reimbursement when a facility is late or misses a deadline for obtaining an 
	assessment of a resident's needs for service, the penalty must be limited to 20% of total 
	reimbursement unless it is proven that the resident, if timely assessed, would not have 
	been eligible for continuing services.

	 

	HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

	HEALTH CARE SERVICES
	CHILDREN

	LR: 2212	Sponsor: Representative Boland of Sanford
	Title:	An Act To Create the Children's Wireless Protection Act
	Comments:	This bill would require warning labels on packaging for cellular telephones outlining 
	the potential risks of exposure to children and pregnant women.

	 

	HEALTH CARE SERVICES
	DELIVERY

	LR: 2483	Sponsor: Representative Boland of Sanford
	Title:	An Act To Ensure Patients Can Receive Estimates for the Cost of Treatments
	Comments:	This bill would require a doctor or hospital at the request of a patient to provide an 
	estimate of the costs for treating that patient and the portion of those costs the patient 
	will have to pay out‑of‑pocket.

	 

	HEALTH CARE SERVICES
	PHARMACIES

	LR: 2107	Sponsor: Representative Cotta of China
	Title:	An Act To Allow Issuing Pharmacies To Accept Unused Prescription Medications
	Comments:	This bill would allow a pharmacy to accept returned unused prescription medications 
	that were provided at that pharmacy.

	 

	LR: 2249	Sponsor: Senator Bowman of York
	Title:	An Act To Require a Pharmacist To Provide Prior Notification or Obtain Consent from 
	the Prescribing Physicians before Changing from One Formulation or Manufacturer to 
	Another of an Antiepileptic Drug
	Comments:	This bill would require a pharmacist to provide prior notification and obtain consent 
	from the prescribing physician if an antiepileptic drug is switched from one 
	formulation or manufacturer to another if the drug is used to treat epilepsy.

	 

	HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

	HEALTH CARE SERVICES
	PLANNING

	LR: 2038	Sponsor: Senator Marrache of Kennebec
	Title:	Resolve, To Allow for the Proper Disposal of Medical Supplies
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a 
	program to allow consumers to safely dispose of medical supplies, including but not 
	limited to syringes and diabetic test supplies.

	 

	HEALTH CARE SERVICES
	PREVENTION PROGRAMS

	LR: 2136	Sponsor: Representative Thomas of Ripley
	Title:	An Act To Prohibit Mandatory Vaccinations
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit mandatory vaccinations, except for vaccinations for 
	school‑age children attending school.

	 

	LR: 2437	Sponsor: Representative Perry, A. of Calais
	Title:	An Act Enabling Expedited Partner Therapy
	Comments:	This bill would allow a health care professional who diagnoses a patient with certain 
	sexually transmitted diseases to provide expedited medical therapy to that patient's 
	sexual partner for the treatment of the sexually transmitted disease without a physical 
	examination if in the judgment of the health care professional the partner is unlikely or 
	unable to be seen for comprehensive health care.

	 

	LR: 2493	Sponsor: Senator Mills, P. of Somerset
	Title:	An Act To Require That Hospitals Adopt Recognized Checklists and Procedures 
	Designed To Reduce Health Care Associated Infections to Minimal Levels
	Comments:	This bill would require rulemaking to immediately require Maine hospitals to adopt 
	checklists and procedures produced by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 
	for reduction of health care associated infections.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2198	Representative Goode

	HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

	MEDICAID
	MAINECARE

	LR: 2168	Sponsor: Representative Cebra of Naples
	Title:	An Act To Require an Independent Audit of the MaineCare System
	Comments:	This bill would require an independent audit of the MaineCare System.

	 

	LR: 2207	Sponsor: Representative Strang Burgess of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Require MaineCare To Provide Coverage for Genetic Testing for Cancer
	Comments:	This bill would require MaineCare to provide coverage for genetic testing for cancer 
	for individuals that have a known or suspected hereditary cancer susceptibility.

	 

	LR: 2242	Sponsor: Representative Finch of Fairfield
	Title:	An Act To Make Certain MaineCare Rules Adopted by the Department of Health and 
	Human Services Major Substantive Rules
	Comments:	This bill would require that any rules adopted by the Department of Health and Human 
	Services that apply to MaineCare or Medicaid and affect funds received by school 
	administrative units be major substantive rules and not routine technical rules.

	 

	LR: 2367	Sponsor: Representative Lewin of Eliot
	Title:	An Act To Reimburse Pharmacies under the MaineCare Program Based on Wholesale 
	Acquisition Costs
	Comments:	This bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse 
	pharmacies under the MaineCare program based on wholesale acquisition costs.  In the 
	first year of reimbursement, the department would reimburse wholesale acquisition 
	costs plus 6%; thereafter the amount would be determined by rulemaking by the 
	department.  The bill would also define wholesale acquisition costs in Title 22.

	 

	MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
	MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS

	LR: 2496	Sponsor: Senator Mills, P. of Somerset
	Title:	An Act To Require the Immediate Closure or Consolidation of Dorothea Dix 
	Psychiatric Center
	Comments:	This bill would require the immediate closure or consolidation of the Dorothea Dix 
	Psychiatric Center.

	 

	HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

	SMOKING
	PUBLIC FACILITIES

	LR: 2093	Sponsor: Representative Driscoll of Westbrook
	Title:	An Act To Prohibit Smoking at Health Care Facilities
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit smoking at all health care facilities, including their grounds.

	 

	SMOKING
	RESTAURANTS

	LR: 2162	Sponsor: Representative McCabe of Skowhegan
	Title:	An Act To Exempt Certain Establishments from Maine's Outdoor Smoking Law
	Comments:	This bill would exempt bars, cocktail lounges and night clubs from the definition of an 
	"eating establishment" under Maine law relating to smoking in outdoor eating areas.

	 

	SUBSTANCE ABUSE
	TREATMENT

	LR: 2307	Sponsor: Representative Beaudette of Biddeford
	Title:	An Act To Enact the Maine Substance Abuse Impairment Act
	Comments:	This bill would provide standards for voluntary and involuntary admission of a person 
	for treatment of substance abuse at a facility operated by a service provider.

	 

	VITAL STATISTICS
	CERTIFICATES

	LR: 2480	Sponsor: Senator Raye of Washington
	Title:	An Act To Repeal the Fee Increase for Copies of Vital Records
	Comments:	This bill would repeal the 400% fee increase for copies of death and birth certificates 
	and other documents kept by the Office of Vital Records within the Department of 
	Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office 
	of Health Data and Program Management.

	 

	INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

	FISH
	PROTECTION

	LR: 2278	Sponsor: Representative Duchesne of Hudson
	Title:	Resolve, Directing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife To Adopt Rules 
	Clarifying Fish Stocking Decisions
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to adopt 
	major substantive rules clarifying fish stocking decisions in public waters.  The rules 
	must include a definition for "reasonable public access."  This definition must include 
	an assessment of the availability of publicly owned access points, the availability and 
	suitability of privately owned, publicly accessible points, the resources contributed and 
	responsibilities undertaken by local residents and associations, the threat of invasive 
	species and the reasonableness and effectiveness of citizen‑initiated programs to 
	prevent the spread of invasive species, including the availability of boat‑washing 
	systems at launch ramps, on‑site volunteer monitoring efforts and supervised gate 
	systems.

	 

	FISH
	SMELTS

	LR: 2396	Sponsor: Senator Bryant, B. of Oxford
	Title:	Resolve, Requiring the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife To Provide 
	Greater Access to Smelting for Youth License Holders
	Comments:	This bill would require the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to identify 
	lakes currently closed to smelting that could be opened to smelting for a person holding 
	a youth license issued by the department and to report those water bodies to the Joint 
	Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

	 

	HUNTING
	FEES

	LR: 2291	Sponsor: Representative Schatz of Blue Hill
	Title:	An Act To Increase Payments to Agents Who Provide Tags for Wild Game
	Comments:	This bill would encourage more agents to provide tags for wild game by increasing the 
	fee to tag an animal by $2 and increasing the payments to tagging agents from $1 per 
	animal to $3 per animal.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2385	Representative Beaulieu
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2414	Representative Clark

	INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

	HUNTING
	LOCAL OPTIONS

	LR: 2081	Sponsor: Representative Mazurek of Rockland
	Title:	An Act To Allow Deer Hunting with Shotguns Only in Owls Head During Firearms 
	Season
	Comments:	This bill would allow the hunting of deer with shotguns only in the Town of Owls 
	Head and on Sheeps Island in Owls Head during the firearms season on deer.

	 

	INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

	HUNTING
	REGULATIONS

	LR: 2149	Sponsor: Representative Piotti of Unity
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Current Moose Permit System and Preference Point System in 
	Maine
	Comments:	This bill would amend the law governing the public drawings for moose hunting 
	permits.  This bill would allow for the purchase of an unlimited number of chances in 
	the so‑called moose lottery after the purchase of a 6‑chance application.  This bill 
	would implement 2 special permit drawings before the public chance drawings.  The 
	first would award 500 permits and would be for those who have accumulated the 
	maximum amount of bonus points because they have consistently applied for and never 
	received a moose hunting permit. The 2nd would award 1/3 of the remaining available 
	permits and would be for residents who have accumulated 7 or more points.

	 

	LR: 2355	Sponsor: Representative Pratt of Eddington
	Title:	An Act To Streamline the Permitting Process for Muzzle‑loading Permit Renewal
	Comments:	This bill would allow a person holding a muzzle‑loading permit to renew the permit 
	without complications if the permit holder has not committed a crime since the permit 
	was last issued.

	 

	LR: 2385	Sponsor: Representative Beaulieu of Auburn
	Title:	An Act To Compensate Tagging Agents
	Comments:	This bill would allow tagging station agents who register animals to receive 40% of the 
	tagging fee.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2291	Representative Schatz
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2414	Representative Clark

	LR: 2394	Sponsor: Senator Bryant, B. of Oxford
	Title:	An Act Regarding the Electronic Tagging of Big Game Animals
	Comments:	This bill would allow harvested big game animals to be electronically tagged.

	 

	LR: 2414	Sponsor: Representative Clark of Millinocket
	Title:	An Act Related to Distribution of Tagging Registration Fees
	Comments:	This bill would change the distribution of tagging registration fees to provide $2 to the 
	tagging station and $3 to the State.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2291	Representative Schatz
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2385	Representative Beaulieu

	INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

	HUNTING
	SUNDAYS

	LR: 2395	Sponsor: Senator Bryant, B. of Oxford
	Title:	An Act To Encourage Youth Participation in Maine's Hunting Heritage
	Comments:	This bill would allow youth license holders to hunt on Sunday on public lands.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 942

	 

	HUNTING
	YOUTH LICENSES

	LR: 2083	Sponsor: Representative Clark of Millinocket
	Title:	Resolve, To Encourage Hunting by Reinstituting Youth Hunting Day
	Comments:	This resolve would reinstitute youth hunting day, which designated the Saturday before 
	the regular deer hunting season as a special hunting day for the youth of the State.

	 

	RECREATION
	ALL‑TERRAIN VEHICLES

	LR: 2080	Sponsor: Representative Johnson of Greenville
	Title:	An Act Concerning All‑terrain Vehicle Use on Town Roads
	Comments:	This bill would authorize municipalities to permit all‑terrain vehicles on town roads 
	either by residents only or by the general public based on an assessment of the safety 
	factors and on economic and other community concerns.

	 

	INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

	RECREATION
	WATERCRAFT

	LR: 2103	Sponsor: Senator Gerzofsky of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Prevent Municipalities from Establishing Boat Moorings around 
	State‑owned Public Boat Launches
	Comments:	This bill would prevent municipalities from establishing boat moorings around 
	state‑owned public boat launches.

	 

	LR: 2166	Sponsor: Senator Hastings of Oxford
	Title:	An Act To Prohibit Floating Barges on a Portion of the Saco River
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit floating barges on a portion of the Saco River.

	 

	LR: 2175	Sponsor: Representative Watson of Bath
	Title:	An Act To Require Seasonal Use of Personal Flotation Devices
	Comments:	This bill would require a person to wear a personal flotation device while operating or 
	a passenger on a vessel of less than 21 feet between November 1st and May 1st.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 164

	 

	LR: 2190	Sponsor: Representative Johnson of Greenville
	Title:	An Act To Prohibit the Use of Jet Skis on Wilson Pond
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit the use of jet skis on Wilson Pond.

	 

	SEARCH AND RESCUE
	ANIMALS

	LR: 2447	Sponsor: Senator Gerzofsky of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Ensure That Search and Rescue Dogs Are Afforded the Same Protections 
	and Accommodations as Service Animals
	Comments:	This bill would ensure that all search and rescue dogs have access to public facilities 
	and housing accommodations as service animals do.

	 

	INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

	WARDENS
	POWERS AND DUTIES

	LR: 2354	Sponsor: Representative Sarty of Denmark
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Standards by Which Game Wardens May Stop All‑terrain 
	Vehicles when Operating on Privately Owned Lands
	Comments:	This bill provides that a game warden is not required to have reasonable and articulable 
	suspicion to believe a violation of law has taken place or is taking place when an 
	all‑terrain vehicle is operating on privately owned lands.

	 

	INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

	FINANCIAL PRACTICES
	ACCOUNT SALES

	LR: 2489	Sponsor: Senator Sullivan of York
	Title:	An Act To Allow a Maine‑chartered Financial Institution To Conduct a Savings 
	Promotion Raffle
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing raffles to allow any Maine‑chartered 
	financial institution, a bank or credit union, to conduct a "savings promotion raffle."  
	The sole consideration required for a chance of winning the designated prizes in the 
	raffle would be the deposit of at least a specified amount of money into a savings 
	account or other savings program offered by the Maine‑chartered financial institution.

	 

	FINANCIAL PRACTICES
	LOANS

	LR: 2386	Sponsor: Representative Beaulieu of Auburn
	Title:	An Act Regarding Surety Bond Exemption
	Comments:	This bill would exempt loan brokers that conduct business solely as facilitators of 
	refund anticipation loans or refund anticipation checks from the $20,000 surety bond 
	requirement if they meet certain requirements.

	 

	FINANCIAL PRACTICES
	MORTGAGES

	LR: 2048	Sponsor: Representative Treat of Hallowell
	Title:	An Act To Clarify the Application of Certain Statutory Requirements to Foreclosures
	Comments:	This bill would clarify that the changes in the notice period for cure of defaults of 
	mortgages applies to all mortgage lenders.  The bill would also make changes to Public 
	Law 2009, chapter 402 recommended by the Judicial Department.

	 

	INSURANCE
	CAPTIVE INSURERS

	LR: 2277	Sponsor: Senator Alfond of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Create Jobs and Stimulate Economic Development by Making Captive 
	Insurers Eligible for Pine Tree Development Zone Benefits for 10 Years
	Comments:	This bill would make captive insurance companies located in the State eligible for Pine 
	Tree Development Zone benefits for a 10‑year period and provide for a 100% state 
	income tax credit during that 10‑year period.

	 

	INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

	INSURANCE
	HEALTH

	LR: 2094	Sponsor: Representative Mazurek of Rockland
	Title:	An Act To Expand the Opportunity for Persons To Acquire Health Care Coverage 
	under the State's "Mini‑COBRA"  Program
	Comments:	This bill would allow persons who have been permanently laid off to acquire health 
	care coverage under the State's so‑called  "mini‑COBRA" program.

	 

	LR: 2125	Sponsor: Representative Legg of Kennebunk
	Title:	An Act concerning the Use of Long‑term Antibiotics for the Treatment of Lyme 
	Disease
	Comments:	This bill would require coverage of long‑term antibiotic therapy for patients with Lyme 
	disease under individual and group health insurance.  This bill would also provide 
	protection from licensing disciplinary action for physicians prescribing, administering 
	or dispensing long‑term antibiotics to patients with Lyme disease.

	 

	LR: 2150	Sponsor: Representative Knight of Livermore Falls
	Title:	An Act Regarding Health Insurance Coverage for Infertility Treatment
	Comments:	This bill would require private health insurers that issue policies in the State to provide 
	coverage for infertility treatments for otherwise healthy married individuals, subject to 
	the following: 1.  An insurer could not require a subscriber copayment that exceeds 
	50%; 2.  An insurer would not be required to provide coverage to a subscriber whose 
	infertility is definitively caused by one or more sexually transmitted diseases; 3.  In 
	vitro fertilization would be covered only if the number of embryos implanted does not 
	exceed the number set forth in standards adopted by the American Society of 
	Reproductive Medicine.

	 

	LR: 2161	Sponsor: Senator Smith, D. of Piscataquis
	Title:	An Act To Allow the Purchase of Health Insurance from New Hampshire Insurers
	Comments:	This bill would establish a 3‑year pilot project for the purchase of health insurance 
	from New Hampshire insurers by Maine residents.  After 30 months an advisory 
	commission would convene to review the outcome of the project and make 
	recommendations to the Legislature.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 290

	 

	INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

	INSURANCE
	HEALTH

	LR: 2237	Sponsor: Senator Bartlett of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Protect Individuals with Health Insurance from Catastrophic Risk
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit health plans covering residents of the State from including 
	provisions that terminate payment of further claims after a defined aggregate amount of 
	health care claims have been paid on behalf of an individual, family or group.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2481	Representative Berry

	LR: 2295	Sponsor: Representative Ayotte of Caswell
	Title:	An Act To Require Health Insurance Carriers To Allow Policyholders To Keep Their 
	Children on Their Policies until Age 25
	Comments:	This bill would require health insurance carriers to allow policyholders to keep their 
	children on their policies until age 25.

	 

	LR: 2326	Sponsor: Representative Pilon of Saco
	Title:	An Act To Create a Cost‑efficient Distribution System for Health Care
	Comments:	This bill would require the Superintendent of Insurance to establish an advisory panel 
	made up of equal numbers of representatives of consumers, payors and providers to 
	advise the superintendent on replacing Dirigo Health Insurance with a voucher system 
	that allows eligible individuals to purchase insurance plans from any carrier offering a 
	qualified plan.  The voucher system must be designed to offer more affordable 
	products, spread subsidies over more households, emphasize preventive care and 
	disease management, improve population health, reduce costs in Maine's health care 
	market and maximize federal initiatives.

	 

	LR: 2430	Sponsor: Senator Schneider of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act To Improve Health Insurance Security
	Comments:	This bill would allow a person that worked for the State for 5 years and leaves state 
	employment to purchase health insurance through the state plan.  The person would 
	have to pay 100% of the cost.

	 

	LR: 2481	Sponsor: Representative Berry of Bowdoinham
	Title:	An Act To Protect Victims of Catastrophic Illness or Accident
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit health plans covering Maine residents from including 
	provisions that terminate payment of further claims after a defined aggregate amount of 
	health care claims have been paid on behalf of an individual, family or group.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2237	Senator Bartlett

	INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

	INSURANCE
	HEALTH

	LR: 2492	Sponsor: Senator Mills, P. of Somerset
	Title:	An Act To Adopt a Drug Benefit Equity Law
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit insurance providers from requiring insureds to obtain drugs 
	from a mail‑order pharmacy or otherwise penalize insureds for not using mail‑order 
	pharmacies.

	 

	INSURANCE BUREAU
	ADMINISTRATION

	LR: 2342	Sponsor: Representative Fossel of Alna
	Title:	An Act To Establish an Insurance Fraud Division
	Comments:	This bill would establish the Insurance Fraud Division within the Department of 
	Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance.  The bill requires insurers 
	with knowledge or suspicion of fraudulent insurance acts to report those activities to 
	the Bureau of Insurance.  The bill provides for the confidentiality of records relating to 
	insurance fraud investigations in a manner similar to the provision of confidentiality 
	under current state law for investigative and intelligence information in the possession 
	of other law enforcement entities.  This bill does permit the Insurance Fraud Division 
	to share investigatory information with certain national and international agencies.  
	The bill also extends the immunity provision in current law to certain communications 
	between insurers with respect to fraudulent insurance acts.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 1285

	 

	INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

	INSURANCE BUREAU
	PROCEDURES

	LR: 2199	Sponsor: Representative Treat of Hallowell
	Title:	An Act To Maintain Compliance of Maine's Insurance Laws with National Standards
	Comments:	This bill would make changes to conform Maine's insurance laws to new national 
	standards related to accreditation of the Department of Professional and Financial 
	Regulation, Bureau of Insurance by the National Association of Insurance 
	Commissioners.  The bill would require all health insurers to submit a qualified 
	actuarial opinion on claims reserves and establish a separate license category for crop 
	insurance adjusters.  The bill also would make other clarifying changes related to 
	audits and holding companies.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2247	Senator Bowman

	LR: 2247	Sponsor: Senator Bowman of York
	Title:	An Act To Require Compliance of Maine's Insurance Laws with National Standards
	Comments:	This bill would require the Superintendent of Insurance to maintain compliance with 
	national standards as they pertain to distribution of dividends.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2199	Representative Treat

	INSURANCE PRACTICES
	COST CONTAINMENT

	LR: 2158	Sponsor: Representative Davis of Sangerville
	Title:	An Act To Bring Uniformity in Insurance Underwriting
	Comments:	This bill would bring uniformity in insurance underwriting by having insurance 
	companies give discounts in premiums to consumers that are debt free as they do to 
	consumers with good credit scores.

	 

	INSURANCE PRACTICES
	DISCLOSURE

	LR: 2120	Sponsor: Representative Beaudoin of Biddeford
	Title:	An Act To Require Full Disclosure by Insurance Carriers Using Credit Ratings
	Comments:	This bill would require insurance carriers that use credit ratings in their premium basis 
	determination to disclose the effect of those credit ratings on the final determination of 
	each policy applicant's premium.

	 

	INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

	INSURANCE PRACTICES
	PURCHASE

	LR: 2167	Sponsor: Representative Thibodeau of Winterport
	Title:	An Act To Increase Consumer Choice Regarding the Purchase of Extended Warranties
	Comments:	This bill would amend the insurance laws to allow second‑party insurance companies 
	to offer extended warranties in the State.

	 

	JUDICIARY

	ATTORNEY GENERAL DEPT
	POWERS

	LR: 2191	Sponsor: Representative Schatz of Blue Hill
	Title:	An Act To Allow a Deputy District Attorney or an Assistant District Attorney 
	Designated by the District Attorney To Request Utility Records
	Comments:	Current law allows the Attorney General, a deputy attorney general or a district 
	attorney to request utility records.  This bill would also allow a deputy district attorney 
	or an assistant district attorney designated by the district attorney to also request utility 
	records.

	 

	ATTORNEYS
	PRACTICE OF LAW

	LR: 2272	Sponsor: Representative Priest of Brunswick
	Title:	An Act Concerning the Practice of Law by Out‑of‑state Attorneys
	Comments:	This bill removes a conflict between Maine's laws governing the unauthorized practice 
	of law and the Supreme Judicial Court's newly adopted ethics rule governing the 
	multijurisdictional practice of lawyers.

	 

	BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
	CORPORATIONS

	LR: 2290	Sponsor: Representative Schatz of Blue Hill
	Title:	An Act To Restore the Notification Process for the Annual Registration of a 
	Corporation
	Comments:	This bill would reverse recent changes to the laws governing the notification process 
	for the annual registration of a corporation that eliminated paper notification in favor 
	of electronic notification.

	 

	CIVIL PROCEDURE
	SMALL CLAIMS

	LR: 2187	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	An Act To Expedite the Small Claims Process
	Comments:	This bill would require the court in a small claims action to set a date for a hearing on a 
	case no later than 60 days after the statement of claim and return of service have been 
	filed with the court for that case.  The hearing itself may be held after the 60‑day 
	period, but the court must schedule the hearing within the 60‑day period.

	 

	JUDICIARY

	DOMESTIC RELATIONS
	PARENTAL RIGHTS

	LR: 2126	Sponsor: Representative Wheeler of Kittery
	Title:	An Act To Remove the Age Limit Governing When a Court Must Consider the Wishes 
	of a Child in a Proceeding for the Termination of Parental Rights
	Comments:	This bill would remove the age limit governing when a court must consider the wishes 
	of a child in a proceeding for the termination of parental rights.  Current law requires a 
	court to consider the wishes of a child 12 years of age or older in such a proceeding.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2152	Senator Bowman

	LR: 2152	Sponsor: Senator Bowman of York
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Parental Rights and Responsibilities
	Comments:	This bill would make the following changes to the laws governing the establishment 
	and the modification of family rights and responsibilities.  It would amend a legislative 
	finding to specifically recognize verbal and emotional abuse, as well as physical abuse, 
	as domestic abuse that produces an unhealthy and dangerous family environment.  It 
	would also allow the court, in ruling on termination of parental rights, to consider the 
	wishes of a child younger than 12 if that child has been found capable of advocating on 
	the child's behalf.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2126	Representative Wheeler

	DOMESTIC RELATIONS
	VISITATION RIGHTS

	LR: 2097	Sponsor: Representative Perry, A. of Calais
	Title:	An Act To Ensure Grandparents' Rights to Children
	Comments:	This bill would specify that if a child has been left in the sole financial care and sole 
	physical custody of a caregiver relative for at least 18 months and the court finds it to 
	be in the best interest of the child to remain in that custody, the court shall order the 
	child to remain in that custody.

	 

	JUDICIARY

	FREEDOM OF ACCESS
	RECORD CONFIDENTIALITY

	LR: 2124	Sponsor: Senator Bowman of York
	Title:	An Act To Protect Confidential Consumer Records in Self‑service Storage Facilities
	Comments:	This bill would protect the confidentiality of personal information kept in self‑service 
	storage facilities if the tenant defaults on rental payments by requiring that the tenant 
	notify the facility operator when the tenant intends to store such information;  
	prohibiting the sale at auction of such information if the facility operator knows of its 
	existence; and requiring a purchaser of the contents of a unit to return any personal 
	information.

	 

	LR: 2328	Sponsor: Representative Treat of Hallowell
	Title:	Resolve, To Protect Information Maintained by Registries
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary to review a recent 
	Superior Court decision related to public access to information maintained by registries 
	of deeds and report recommended legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 
	124th Legislature by February 15, 2009.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2138	Representative Crockett, P.

	FREEDOM OF ACCESS
	RIGHT TO KNOW LAWS

	LR: 2130	Sponsor: Representative Dostie of Sabattus
	Title:	An Act To Clarify the Laws Governing Freedom of Access to Information
	Comments:	This bill would clarify the laws governing freedom of access to information to 
	specifically prohibit members of a school board, commission, agency or legislative 
	body from using a series of communications of any kind to discuss, deliberate or take 
	action on any item of business.

	 

	HUMAN RIGHTS
	COMMISSION

	LR: 2049	Sponsor: Representative Blodgett of Augusta
	Title:	An Act To Ensure Expedient Resolution of Cases before the Maine Human Rights 
	Commission
	Comments:	This bill would require that cases filed with the Maine Human Rights Commission be 
	disposed of by the commission within a one‑year time frame.

	 

	JUDICIARY

	HUMAN RIGHTS
	HOUSING

	LR: 2139	Sponsor: Representative Stevens of Bangor
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Housing Exceptions in the Maine Human Rights Act
	Comments:	This bill would amend the Maine Human Rights Act to make the owner‑occupied 
	dwellings exceptions inapplicable to the prohibitions of the Act against discriminatory 
	advertising.

	 

	LEGAL SERVICES
	INDIGENT

	LR: 2393	Sponsor: Representative Magnan of Stockton Springs
	Title:	Resolve, Relating to Indigent Legal Services
	Comments:	This resolve would require the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to appoint a 
	committee to examine methods to increase funding for indigent legal services and 
	report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
	judiciary matters during the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.

	 

	NATIVE AMERICANS
	PASSAMAQUODDY TRIBE

	LR: 2203	Sponsor: Representative Soctomah of Passamaquoddy Tribe
	Title:	An Act To Develop a Policy of Communication on Issues Affecting Tribal 
	Communities of the Passamaquoddy Tribe
	Comments:	This bill would develop a policy of communication on issues affecting tribal 
	communities based on federal policy.

	 

	PROBATE
	GUARDIANS

	LR: 2170	Sponsor: Senator Rosen, R. of Hancock
	Title:	An Act To Amend Laws Relating to Persons Serving as Permanency Guardians
	Comments:	This bill would amend the law relating to persons serving as permanency guardians to 
	clarify that the new thresholds that were enacted by Public Law 2007, chapter 284 
	apply to everyone.

	 

	LABOR

	EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
	LEAVE POLICIES

	LR: 2134	Sponsor: President Mitchell, E. of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Aid in the Prevention of the Spread of H1 N1 Influenza by Ensuring the 
	Provision of Earned Paid Sick Time
	Comments:	This bill would require a large business employer to give 52 accrued paid sick hours 
	per year to an employee and a small business employer to give 26 accrued paid sick 
	hours per year to an employee.  Earned paid sick time may be used by an employee 
	during an absence from employment for illness of an employee or illness of an 
	employee's family member, for accessing necessary preventative health care or if the 
	employee or the employee's family member is a victim of stalking, domestic violence 
	or sexual abuse.

	 

	EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
	HIRING

	LR: 2087	Sponsor: Senator Jackson of Aroostook
	Title:	An Act To Protect Maine Workers
	Comments:	This bill would prevent a company from doing business in Maine for 5 years if that 
	company has committed a major violation of the federal alien labor certification 
	program.

	 

	LR: 2486	Sponsor: Representative Beck of Waterville
	Title:	Resolve, To Study Privacy Rights with Respect to the Job Application and 
	Employment Process
	Comments:	The resolve would establish a commission to study what a prospective employer can 
	ask a prospective employee.

	 

	EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
	TERMINATION

	LR: 2460	Sponsor: Representative Boland of Sanford
	Title:	An Act To Ensure the Equitable Treatment of Maine's Workforce
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit an employer that fires an employee and later rehires that 
	person at a lower wage from using the reason the person was originally fired in future 
	disciplinary actions.

	 

	LABOR

	EMPLOYMENT SECURITY
	BENEFITS

	LR: 2110	Sponsor: Speaker Pingree of North Haven
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Unemployment Law Regarding Vacation Pay
	Comments:	Under current law, an individual is disqualified from receiving unemployment 
	compensation benefits for any week in which the individual receives, is entitled to 
	receive or has received remuneration in the form of vacation pay. This bill would 
	remove that restriction.

	 

	LR: 2127	Sponsor: Representative Beaulieu of Auburn
	Title:	An Act To Clarify the Definition of "Employer" for Unemployment Compensation 
	Purposes
	Comments:	This bill would clarify the definition of "employer" for unemployment compensation 
	purposes to address the situation of 2 part‑time employers who both lay off the same 
	employee within a few days or simultaneously.  Both employers would be considered 
	the claimant's last employer for purposes of the laws governing unemployment 
	compensation.

	 

	STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM
	BENEFITS

	LR: 2179	Sponsor: President Mitchell, E. of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Provide Continued Protection of Benefits for Retirees of the Maine Public 
	Employees Retirement System
	Comments:	This bill would further protect retirees of the Maine Public Employees Retirement 
	System from the impact on retirement benefits of decreases in the Consumer Price 
	Index.  This bill would require that if the Consumer Price Index decreases for one or 
	more years, adjustments in the subsequent year or years must result in cost neutrality.

	 

	LR: 2369	Sponsor: Senator Hobbins of York
	Title:	An Act Regarding Maine Public Employees Retirement System Life Insurance Policies
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing the payment of life insurance proceeds by 
	the Maine Public Employees Retirement System in the case in which a person who dies 
	has not named a beneficiary for a life insurance policy but has made a will.

	 

	LABOR

	STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM
	CREDITS

	LR: 2374	Sponsor: Representative Tilton of Harrington
	Title:	An Act To Clarify Retirement Benefits
	Comments:	This bill would clarify the service time for Bayley Grant as it pertains to retirement 
	benefits.

	 

	WORKERS COMPENSATION
	BOARD

	LR: 2254	Sponsor: Representative Martin, J. L. of Eagle Lake
	Title:	An Act To Authorize the Issuance of "Stop Work" Orders if a Construction Contractor 
	or Subcontractor Has Knowingly Misrepresented the Classification of Employees
	Comments:	This bill would authorize the Executive Director of the Workers' Compensation Board 
	to issue "stop work" orders if a construction contractor or subcontractor has knowingly 
	misrepresented one or more employees as independent contractors.  This bill would 
	also prohibit that contractor or subcontractor from performing work on a public 
	building for a period of 3 years.

	 

	LR: 2350	Sponsor: Representative Butterfield of Bangor
	Title:	An Act Relating to the Membership of the Workers' Compensation Board
	Comments:	This bill would clarify the current restrictions on Workers' Compensation Board 
	membership related to lobbying or being a service provider to the workers' 
	compensation system.

	 

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
	BEER

	LR: 2061	Sponsor: Representative Willette of Presque Isle
	Title:	An Act To Allow Competitions at Fairs for Homemade Wine and Beer
	Comments:	This bill would amend the state liquor laws to allow fairs to hold  competitions for 
	homemade wine and beer.

	 

	ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
	LICENSING

	LR: 2304	Sponsor: Senator Bliss of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Clarify Licensing for Freestanding Event Halls
	Comments:	This bill would specifically authorize a freestanding event hall owned by a qualified 
	caterer to purchase a liquor license in the same manner as a Class A restaurant.

	 

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
	LIQUOR SALES

	LR: 2039	Sponsor: Senator Perry, J. of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act Regarding the Sale of Malt Liquor from a Mobile Service Bar on a Golf Course
	Comments:	Current law does not address a municipal golf course that contracts for service on the 
	golf course with an outside vendor who holds the liquor license.  This bill would allow 
	for an employee of the contracted licensee to serve malt liquor on the golf course while 
	providing shared responsibility between the contracted licensees and the municipal 
	golf course for violations.

	 

	LR: 2273	Sponsor: Representative Carey of Lewiston
	Title:	An Act To Clarify Maine's 3‑tiered System  for the Distribution and Sale of Alcoholic 
	Beverages
	Comments:	This bill would make technical changes to the laws that govern the distribution, 
	wholesale and retail of alcoholic beverages.

	 

	LR: 2416	Sponsor: Representative Fitts of Pittsfield
	Title:	An Act To Clarify the Laws Governing Instant Redeemable Coupons Included with a 
	Spirits Product
	Comments:	This bill would clarify that instant redeemable coupons included with a spirits product 
	may be attached to the product by an agent of the manufacturer or the manufacturer's 
	sales representative.

	 

	ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
	TAVERNS

	LR: 2491	Sponsor: Senator Mills, P. of Somerset
	Title:	An Act To Provide Uniform Rules for Smoking in or Near Establishments That Serve 
	Alcohol
	Comments:	This bill would allow taverns and private clubs to permit patrons to take alcoholic 
	beverages to outside smoking areas if service is not provided in those areas.

	 

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
	WINE

	LR: 2065	Sponsor: Representative Webster of Freeport
	Title:	An Act To Delay the Effective Date of the Requirement that Alcoholic Beverage 
	Tastings Take Place in a Place Not Observed by Children
	Comments:	This bill would delay the effective date of the requirement that taste testing of beer, 
	wine and malt liquor be conducted in a manner that precludes the possibility of 
	observation by children to March 1, 2010.

	 

	LR: 2066	Sponsor: Representative Webster of Freeport
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Pertaining to the Taste Testing of Alcoholic Beverages
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws pertaining to the testing of alcoholic beverages by 
	limiting taste testings to places where children would most likely not be present.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2192	Representative Fitts
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2205	Senator Plowman
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2236	Representative Welsh
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2244	Senator Goodall
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2308	Representative Tuttle
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2462	Representative Russell

	LR: 2192	Sponsor: Representative Fitts of Pittsfield
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Taste‑testing of Alcoholic Beverages
	Comments:	This bill would repeal current language requiring retail licensees for the sale of alcohol 
	beverages to be consumed off the premises to conduct taste‑testing activities in a 
	manner that precludes the possibility of observation by children and replace that 
	language with a requirement to post signs alerting parents to the times and dates of 
	tasting events taking place in the stores, thereby allowing parents to assume the 
	responsibility of making a decision regarding whether or not their children may be 
	exposed to observing an alcohol beverage taste‑testing activity.  The bill also would 
	correct a drafting error in the original legislation by amending the requirement that 
	retailers stock a minimum number of malt beverage products in order to qualify to 
	conduct taste‑testing activity by replacing the term "brands" with "labels," thereby 
	making the language consistent with the provisions for wine.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2066	Representative Webster
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2205	Senator Plowman
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2236	Representative Welsh
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2244	Senator Goodall
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2308	Representative Tuttle
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2462	Representative Russell

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
	WINE

	LR: 2205	Sponsor: Senator Plowman of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act Regarding Wine Tasting Demonstrations
	Comments:	This bill would repeal the law pertaining to the tasting of alcoholic beverages that 
	requires tasting to be conducted in a manner that precludes the possibility of 
	observation by children.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2066	Representative Webster
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2192	Representative Fitts
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2236	Representative Welsh
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2244	Senator Goodall
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2308	Representative Tuttle
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2462	Representative Russell

	LR: 2236	Sponsor: Representative Welsh of Rockport
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Alcoholic Beverage Tasting Laws
	Comments:	This bill would change the alcoholic beverage tasting laws by removing language 
	relating to requirements that wine, spirits and malt liquor taste‑testing activities be 
	conducted in a manner that will prevent observation by children.  This bill would also 
	eliminate the prohibition on sales representatives' pouring or distributing the products 
	being tasted.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2066	Representative Webster
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2192	Representative Fitts
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2205	Senator Plowman
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2244	Senator Goodall
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2308	Representative Tuttle
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2462	Representative Russell

	LR: 2244	Sponsor: Senator Goodall of Sagadahoc
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Taste‑testing Laws for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages
	Comments:	This bill would change the requirement that, to conduct tastings of alcoholic beverages, 
	the event must be held in a manner that precludes the possibility of observation by 
	children to that of posting signs alerting parents or guardians of such events.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2066	Representative Webster
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2192	Representative Fitts
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2205	Senator Plowman
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2236	Representative Welsh
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2308	Representative Tuttle
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2462	Representative Russell

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
	WINE

	LR: 2308	Sponsor: Representative Tuttle of Sanford
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Alcohol Taste‑testing Activities
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing alcohol taste‑testing activities.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2066	Representative Webster
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2192	Representative Fitts
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2205	Senator Plowman
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2236	Representative Welsh
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2244	Senator Goodall
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2462	Representative Russell

	LR: 2462	Sponsor: Representative Russell of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Exempt Certain Businesses from the Alcohol Taste‑testing Laws
	Comments:	This bill would exempt any Maine‑based businesses that employ fewer than 50 people 
	from the recently enacted alcohol taste‑testing requirements.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2066	Representative Webster
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2192	Representative Fitts
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2205	Senator Plowman
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2236	Representative Welsh
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2244	Senator Goodall
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2308	Representative Tuttle

	LR: 2477	Sponsor: Representative Berry of Bowdoinham
	Title:	An Act To Streamline Wine Registration Requirements
	Comments:	The bill would establish in statute a provision currently governed by rule that sets the 
	fee and procedure for registration of wine labels by a certificate of approval holder.

	 

	DEFENSE AND VETERANS SERVICES DEPT
	ADMINISTRATION

	LR: 2052	Sponsor: Representative Blodgett of Augusta
	Title:	Resolve, To Require an Independent Audit of the Maine Military Authority
	Comments:	This resolve would require an independent audit of the Maine Military Authority.

	 

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	DEFENSE AND VETERANS SERVICES DEPT
	NATIONAL GUARD

	LR: 2243	Sponsor: Senator Goodall of Sagadahoc
	Title:	Resolve, To Transfer the Ownership of the Bath Armory to the City of Bath
	Comments:	This bill would transfer the ownership of the Bath Armory to the City of Bath for the 
	Bath Youth Meetinghouse and Skatepark for free or for one dollar.

	 

	ELECTIONS
	CAMPAIGN FINANCE

	LR: 2413	Sponsor: Representative Dill of Cape Elizabeth
	Title:	An Act To Limit the Provision of Funding under the Maine Clean Election Act to 
	Candidates That Do Not Have Political Action Committees
	Comments:	This bill would provide that candidates who have political action committees are 
	ineligible to receive funding under the Maine Clean Election Act.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD's 140 and 1247

	 

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	ELECTIONS
	CITIZEN INITIATIVES

	LR: 2297	Sponsor: Senator Craven of Androscoggin
	Title:	An Act To Improve the Signature Collection Process for Citizen's Initiatives and 
	People's Veto Petitions
	Comments:	This bill would require those companies that hire and pay signature gatherers for both 
	citizen's initiatives and people's vetoes, and the workers that collect the signatures, to 
	register with the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices before 
	they can go out and gather the signatures.  They must also pay a fee to cover the cost of 
	processing the registrations.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2310	Senator Nutting, J.

	LR: 2310	Sponsor: Senator Nutting, J. of Androscoggin
	Title:	An Act To Strengthen the Ballot Initiative Process
	Comments:	This bill would add a $1,000 fine if a person is proven to have violated the Maine 
	Revised Statutes, Title 21‑A, section 904.  The bill would also make it illegal for 
	circulators who have been convicted of fraud or forgery to circulate petitions.  The bill 
	would require petition circulating companies to register with the State.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2297	Senator Craven

	LR: 2485	Sponsor: Representative Cain of Orono
	Title:	RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Require 
	That Direct Initiatives Be Subject to Legislative Rules Regarding Process
	Comments:	This constitutional resolution would propose that the Constitution of Maine be 
	amended to require that citizen initiatives be subject to the general legislative rules 
	applied to other legislation, including fiscal notes.

	 

	ELECTIONS
	PETITIONS

	LR: 2084	Sponsor: Representative Berry of Bowdoinham
	Title:	An Act To Prevent Predatory Signature Gathering and To Strengthen the Citizens 
	Initiative and Veto Process
	Comments:	This bill would allow a person to have the person's own signature removed from a 
	citizens initiative or people's veto petition, if the request is made in writing to the 
	Secretary of State, indicating that the person was given incorrect  information.

	 

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	ELECTIONS
	REFERENDA

	LR: 2131	Sponsor: Senator Trahan of Lincoln
	Title:	An Act To Reform Maine's Referendum Process
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing petitions for the direct initiative of 
	legislation and people's veto petitions.  This bill would:

	1. Require the Secretary of State's office, rather than municipal clerks, to verify voter 
	signatures;

	2. Establish a 4‑member nonpartisan citizen panel to review the titles of 
	citizen‑initiated petitions for fairness and clarity;

	3. Require, when the Secretary of State is requested to provide an updated number of 
	signatures gathered, that all interested parties be provided that data, along with the 
	name of the requesting party;

	4. Require that the first item on a people's veto petition be a summary of the bill that is 
	provided to the Legislature by the nonpartisan legislative offices;  

	5. Eliminate the requirement that the ballot must include information regarding the cost 
	associated with a people's veto or direct initiative of legislation; and

	6. Require that Legislators and political parties who promote the passage or defeat of a 
	people's veto or direct initiative of legislation register with the Commission on 
	Governmental Ethics and Election Practices and report any amounts spent for that 
	effort.

	 

	GAMBLING
	GAMES OF CHANCE

	LR: 2429	Sponsor: Senator Perry, J. of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act To Implement the Use of Promotional Credits
	Comments:	This bill would implement the use of promotional credits.

	 

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS
	ETHICS COMMISSION

	LR: 2210	Sponsor: Representative Trinward of Waterville
	Title:	An Act Regarding the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices
	Comments:	This bill would establish in statute the pay range for the executive director of the 
	Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices.

	 

	LANDLORD AND TENANT
	HABITABILITY

	LR: 2147	Sponsor: Representative Martin, J.R. of Orono
	Title:	An Act To Exempt Certain Mobile Homes from the Radon Testing Requirement
	Comments:	This bill would exempt rented mobile homes that do not have an enclosed foundation 
	from mandatory radon testing.

	 

	LANDLORD AND TENANT
	RENT

	LR: 2302	Sponsor: Representative Adams of Portland
	Title:	An Act Regarding Ratio Utility Billing
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit the owners or managers of multiunit rental properties from 
	billing current tenants based on the prorated costs associated with maintaining utilities 
	in empty units in the building.  The bill would instead require that tenants be charged 
	for utilities based on the tenants' actual use.

	 

	LR: 2464	Sponsor: Senator Bowman of York
	Title:	An Act To Enhance Relations between Delinquent Tenants and Property Owners
	Comments:	This bill would clarify the laws with regard to landlord rights when dealing with 
	delinquent tenants.

	 

	VETERANS
	HONORING

	LR: 2461	Sponsor: Representative Martin, J.R. of Orono
	Title:	Resolve, To Create the State Veterans' Memorial Preservation Advisory Commission
	Comments:	This resolve would create a commission that would review proposed changes to state 
	memorials for veterans prior to changes to those memorials being implemented.

	 

	LEGAL AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

	VETERANS
	SERVICES

	LR: 2060	Sponsor: Representative Beck of Waterville
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Educational Benefits for Veterans and Their 
	Families
	Comments:	This bill would extend from 6 to 8 the number of academic years the child of a veteran 
	may take to complete, tuition‑free, 8 semesters or a baccalaureate degree, whichever 
	occurs first.

	 

	LR: 2104	Sponsor: Representative Harlow of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Waive the Tuition Charges of Any Postsecondary Educational Institution in 
	the State for a Child of a Soldier Who Died or Is Disabled while on Active Duty
	Comments:	This bill would waive the tuition charges of any postsecondary educational institution 
	in the State for a child of a soldier who died or is disabled while on active duty.

	 

	LR: 2296	Sponsor: Representative Haskell of Portland
	Title:	An Act Pertaining to Educational Benefits for Veterans and Their Dependents
	Comments:	This bill would amend the definition of "child" as it pertains to when educational 
	benefits are granted to include that, if a child is unable to enroll in a degree program 
	prior to turning 22 years of age due to the veteran's total permanent disability claim 
	pending with the Veterans Administration, then the child may apply to begin the 
	benefit within 2 years from the date of the veteran's award notification letter.

	 

	MARINE RESOURCES

	LOBSTERS
	LICENSING

	LR: 2113	Sponsor: Representative Pendleton of Scarborough
	Title:	An Act To Allow Immediate Family Members To Assist in Lobstering
	Comments:	This bill would exempt immediate family members from the restrictions currently in 
	place limiting assistants for an owner‑operator of a lobster fishing boat.  It would also 
	exempt from those restrictions assistants for a licensee with a disability under the 
	federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

	 

	LR: 2438	Sponsor: Representative McKane of Newcastle
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Lobster Licensing Laws
	Comments:	This bill would amend the lobster licensing laws to create a single annual opportunity, 
	in response to an emergency situation, to grant a lobster license to an applicant who is 
	not next in line on the waiting list.

	 

	LOBSTERS
	MANAGEMENT ZONES

	LR: 2128	Sponsor: Senator Trahan of Lincoln
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Monhegan Lobster Conservation Area To 
	Establish a Process for a Person Who Holds a Lobster Fishing License To Petition the 
	Legislature or a Regional Lobster Council To Change Those Laws
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing the Monhegan Lobster Conservation Area to 
	establish a process for a person who holds a lobster fishing license to petition the joint 
	standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources 
	matters or a regional lobster council to initiate the process necessary to change those 
	laws.

	 

	LR: 2361	Sponsor: Representative Kruger of Thomaston
	Title:	An Act To Create a Subzone for Lobstering around the Island of Matinicus
	Comments:	This bill would establish a subzone for lobstering around the island of Matinicus that 
	would allow only current license holders to engage in lobstering around Matinicus.

	 

	MARINE RESOURCES

	LOBSTERS
	TRAPS

	LR: 2365	Sponsor: Senator Damon of Hancock
	Title:	An Act To Eliminate the 3 Trap Limit off Hancock County
	Comments:	This bill would eliminate one area of the coast where people who fish for lobsters are 
	presently limited to 3 traps per trawl.

	 

	RECREATIONAL FISHING
	PROHIBIT FUNDS FOR FEDERAL REGISTRY

	LR: 2034	Sponsor: Senator Trahan of Lincoln
	Title:	An Act To Prohibit an Agency from Accepting Funds To Implement a Federal Registry 
	for Saltwater Recreational Fishing
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit an agency from accepting funds to implement a federal 
	registry for saltwater recreational fishing.
	Closely Related CO:	LD's 1331 and 1432

	NATURAL RESOURCES

	AIR QUALITY
	EMISSIONS

	LR: 2425	Sponsor: Senator Smith, D. of Piscataquis
	Title:	Resolve, To Establish a Study Commission To Review and Analyze the State's Role in 
	Climate Change Policy
	Comments:	This resolve would establish a study commission to review the State's role in climate 
	change policy.  All existing and potential policies, data and forecasts and the status of 
	federal actions would be reviewed in order to establish a climate change policy for the 
	State.

	 

	AIR QUALITY
	POLLUTANT STANDARDS

	LR: 2240	Sponsor: Senator Goodall of Sagadahoc
	Title:	An Act To Improve Maine's Air Quality and Reduce Regional Haze at Acadia National 
	Park and Other Federally Designated Class I Areas
	Comments:	The federal Clean Air Act and regional haze rule require states with sources that are 
	reasonably anticipated to cause or contribute to impairment of visibility in federally 
	designated Class I areas to implement reasonable measures to reduce visibility 
	impairment within those areas.  To address these impacts and satisfy federal 
	requirements, this bill would, in concert with the Northeast and mid‑Atlantic states, 
	incrementally reduce the allowable sulfur content of liquid fossil fuels beginning in 
	2014 extending into 2018.

	 

	NATURAL RESOURCES

	COASTAL AREAS
	LAND USE

	LR: 2063	Sponsor: Representative Legg of Kennebunk
	Title:	An Act To Update and Modernize Maine's Floodplain Mapping for Coastal 
	Communities
	Comments:	This bill would provide funding to attract federal grant funding to update and 
	modernize the State's floodplain maps.  The bill would direct $250,000 per year for 3 
	years in state funds to support topographical floodplain mapping.

	 

	LR: 2112	Sponsor: Representative Eberle of South Portland
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Coastal and Lake Watershed Districts Law To Clarify 
	Municipal Home Rule and Interlocal Cooperation Authority
	Comments:	This bill would clarify that the watershed district law is one way of establishing a 
	district and that alternatively one or more municipalities may create a watershed 
	management district under municipal home rule authority or under interlocal 
	cooperation authority.

	 

	DAMS
	MAINTENANCE

	LR: 2091	Sponsor: Representative Jones of Mount Vernon
	Title:	Resolve, To Direct the Department of Environmental Protection To Establish By Rule 
	Guidelines for Dam Repair and Maintenance
	Comments:	This resolve directs the Department of Environmental Protection to establish 
	guidelines by rule for dam repair and maintenance and for cost sharing among towns 
	for dams on bodies of water affecting more than one town.

	 

	ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPT
	FINES

	LR: 2294	Sponsor: Representative Ayotte of Caswell
	Title:	Resolve, To Waive the Fine That the Department of Environmental Protection Imposed 
	on Arthur Drolet in Connection with the Removal of Underground Petroleum Storage 
	Tanks
	Comments:	This bill would waive the fine that the Department of Environmental Protection 
	imposed on Arthur Drolet in connection with the removal of underground petroleum 
	storage tanks.

	 

	NATURAL RESOURCES

	ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPT
	PROCEDURES

	LR: 2501	Sponsor: Representative Adams of Portland
	Title:	Resolve, Regarding Batteries and Power Sources in Alternative Vehicles
	Comments:	This resolve would require the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules 
	that extend the current incentives to recycle lead‑acid motor vehicle batteries to include 
	new kinds of batteries in alternative fuel vehicles such as hydrogen, hybrid 
	lithium‑based, solar paneled and other nontraditional battery arrays.  The department 
	would report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
	utilities and energy matters in the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.

	 

	FUELS
	BIOFUELS

	LR: 2349	Sponsor: Representative Butterfield of Bangor
	Title:	An Act To Require the Use of Biofuel in No. 2 Home Heating Oil
	Comments:	This bill would require the use of biofuel in No. 2 home heating oil beginning July 1, 
	2011.  The percentage required would increase over time as the production of biofuels 
	increases in the State.

	 

	FUELS
	GASOLINE

	LR: 2352	Sponsor: Senator McCormick of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Make the Reid Vapor Pressure Standard for Gasoline Consistent within the 
	State
	Comments:	This bill would require that the entire State adopt the 7.8 pounds per square inch Reid 
	vapor pressure standard for gasoline for the May 1st through September 15th period 
	and not only the 7 counties now using this standard.

	 

	FUELS
	RESERVES

	LR: 2426	Sponsor: Senator Smith, D. of Piscataquis
	Title:	Resolve, To Establish a Study Commission To Recommend a State Policy on Offshore 
	Petroleum Exploration
	Comments:	This resolve would establish a study commission to recommend a state policy on 
	offshore petroleum exploration.

	 

	NATURAL RESOURCES

	GROUND WATER
	CONSERVATION

	LR: 2163	Sponsor: Representative Hinck of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Control the Taking of Large Quantities of Water
	Comments:	This bill would require a person to obtain a permit from the Department of 
	Environmental Protection before removing a large quantity of water from its source 
	and immediate ecosystem.  The bill would provide an exemption from the permit 
	requirement for certain activities and require a permit holder to monitor quantities of 
	water taken and report to the department.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 1267

	 

	GROUND WATER
	EXPORTATION

	LR: 2281	Sponsor: Representative Pratt of Eddington
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Groundwater
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing groundwater by recognizing it, like surface 
	water, as a public trust and by applying the "reasonable use" rule regarding its use.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD's 837 and 1267

	 

	GROUND WATER
	WELLS

	LR: 2282	Sponsor: Representative Pratt of Eddington
	Title:	An Act To Prohibit Significant Groundwater Well Development on Public Lands
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit significant groundwater well development on public lands, 
	including all commercial water extraction, but not affect current practices.

	 

	LAND USE
	COMPREHENSIVE PLANS

	LR: 2180	Sponsor: Representative Cray of Palmyra
	Title:	An Act To Provide to Certain Municipalities a Waiver of the Requirement To Adopt a 
	Comprehensive Plan and Allow Those Municipalities To Enforce Their Ordinances
	Comments:	This bill would provide to a municipality that as of June 1, 2009 has rejected a 
	proposed comprehensive plan a waiver of the requirement to adopt a comprehensive 
	plan.  The bill also would allow such a municipality to enforce its ordinances pursuant 
	to its home rule authority.

	 

	NATURAL RESOURCES

	LAND USE
	SET‑BACKS

	LR: 2206	Sponsor: Representative McKane of Newcastle
	Title:	An Act To Amend Resource Protection Setbacks in Critical Wildlife Habitats
	Comments:	This bill would reduce the protection setback in critical wildlife habitats from 250 feet 
	to 100 feet.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2292	Representative Schatz

	LR: 2292	Sponsor: Representative Schatz of Blue Hill
	Title:	An Act To Reduce the Required Setback in a Resource Protection Zone from 250 Feet 
	to 100 Feet
	Comments:	This bill would reduce the required setback in a resource protection zone from 250 feet 
	to 100 feet.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2206	Representative McKane

	PROTECTED NATURAL RESOURCES
	GREAT PONDS

	LR: 2111	Sponsor: Representative Eberle of South Portland
	Title:	An Act To Prevent the Spread of Invasive Plants and Protect Maine's Lakes
	Comments:	This bill would ban bass tournaments on lakes that are known to be infested with 
	invasive plants.  The bill would also ban the extraction of water by water trucks from 
	lakes that are known to be infested with invasive plants for use in backyard ponds or 
	pools or for irrigation.

	 

	PROTECTED NATURAL RESOURCES
	SAND DUNES

	LR: 2445	Sponsor: Senator Nass, R. of York
	Title:	An Act To Exempt Minor Activities from the Natural Resources Protection Act
	Comments:	This bill would exempt minor modifications to existing residential structures in coastal 
	sand dune systems when the modification does not extend beyond the footprint covered 
	by the existing building, there is an existing seawall seaward of the residential structure 
	and the modification does not increase the building's total height to greater than 35 feet 
	above the lowest natural elevation measured 5 feet from the corners of the existing 
	building foundation or the elevation used by the municipality when determining 
	compliance with local ordinances.

	 

	NATURAL RESOURCES

	TOXIC SUBSTANCES
	REDUCTION AND PREVENTION

	LR: 2182	Sponsor: Speaker Pingree of North Haven
	Title:	An Act To Clarify Maine's Phaseout of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers
	Comments:	This bill would ban products used for food packaging or food storage, including but 
	not limited to pallets, that contain the "deca" mixture of polybrominated diphenyl 
	ethers.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2246	Representative Duchesne

	LR: 2246	Sponsor: Representative Duchesne of Hudson
	Title:	An Act To Reduce Human Exposure to "Deca" Brominated Flame Retardants
	Comments:	This bill would phase out the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in pallets, similar 
	to current law, which phases out the use of that substance in mattresses, furniture and 
	electronics.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2182	Speaker Pingree

	WASTE FACILITIES
	LANDFILLS

	LR: 2116	Sponsor: Representative Johnson of Greenville
	Title:	An Act To Expand Eligibility of Certain Municipal Landfills To Participate in the 
	State's Remediation and Closure Program
	Comments:	This bill would allow a small number of additional open municipal landfills that were 
	allowed by the Department of Environmental Protection to remain open after January 
	1, 2000 to become eligible for the State's remediation and closure program.

	 

	NATURAL RESOURCES

	WASTES
	RECYCLING

	LR: 2389	Sponsor: Representative Innes of Yarmouth
	Title:	An Act To Provide Leadership, Tax Fairness and Responsible Recycling for Consumer 
	Products
	Comments:	This bill would establish a product stewardship program for consumer products that 
	addresses the life cycle impacts of a product and oversees the collection, transportation 
	and reuse, recycling or disposal of unwanted products.

	 

	LR: 2432	Sponsor: Representative Soctomah of Passamaquoddy Tribe
	Title:	An Act Related to Qualified Waste‑to‑energy Power
	Comments:	This bill would provide for development of appropriate adaptations to the State's 
	energy policy to accommodate federal qualified waste‑to‑energy developments.

	 

	WATER QUALITY
	OVERBOARD DISCHARGES

	LR: 2339	Sponsor: Representative Flaherty of Scarborough
	Title:	An Act To Protect the Environment and Natural Resources of the State by Regulating 
	the Discharge of Certain Substances into the Environment
	Comments:	This bill is based on a Michigan law that provides that, unless authorized by permit, 
	order or rule, a discharge into the State's waters from an oceangoing vessel of any 
	ballast water is prima facie evidence of a violation of the law and subject to penalties.  
	This bill prohibits a person from directly or indirectly discharging into the State's 
	waters a substance that is or may become injurious to any of the following:  the public 
	health, safety or welfare; domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational 
	uses made of such waters; the value of riparian lands; livestock, wild animals, birds, 
	fish, aquatic life or plants; or the value of fish and game.

	 

	STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

	COUNTY BUDGETS
	PROCEDURES

	LR: 2171	Sponsor: Representative McCabe of Skowhegan
	Title:	An Act To Amend County Budget Procedures
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing county budget procedures to allow budget 
	committees to increase, decrease or alter the proposed budget if the changes are based 
	on input provided by the public during the public hearing process.  This bill would also 
	allow the county commissioners to increase, decrease or alter the proposed budget by a 
	majority vote rather than a unanimous vote.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2169	Representative Curtis

	COUNTY BUDGETS
	SOMERSET

	LR: 2169	Sponsor: Representative Curtis of Madison
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Somerset County Budget Procedure
	Comments:	This bill would amend the procedure for adopting the Somerset County budget by 
	allowing the budget to be increased, decreased or altered if new information were 
	obtained during a public process.  The budget must be approved by a majority vote of 
	the budget committee at a meeting called for that purpose.  The bill would also require 
	that, if the county does not approve a new budget, it operate on an interim budget not 
	to exceed the previous year's budget.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2171	Representative McCabe

	COUNTY GOVERNMENT
	OFFICERS

	LR: 2143	Sponsor: Senator Smith, D. of Piscataquis
	Title:	An Act To Require That Elected County Treasurers Be Qualified in Business 
	Administration and Finance Matters
	Comments:	This bill would require that elected county treasurers be qualified in matters of 
	business administration and finance.

	 

	COUNTY GOVERNMENT
	REGIONALISM

	LR: 2345	Sponsor: Representative McCabe of Skowhegan
	Title:	An Act To Increase Efficiency in County Government
	Comments:	This bill would authorize regionalization and consolidation of the operations of county 
	government to increase efficiency and achieve cost savings in 3 areas: public safety, 
	corrections and courts.

	 

	STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

	COUNTY GOVERNMENT
	REGISTERS OF DEEDS

	LR: 2138	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	An Act Concerning Fees for Documents at the County Registry of Deeds
	Comments:	This bill would define a reasonable fee for copies obtained from the county registries 
	of deeds pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 33, section 751 as any fee that 
	does not exceed $2 per page.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2328	Representative Treat

	COUNTY GOVERNMENT
	TAXES

	LR: 2079	Sponsor: Representative Johnson of Greenville
	Title:	An Act To Require Counties To Provide Reasons for Decisions Issued on Hearings
	Comments:	This bill would require that, when issuing a decision on a request for a tax abatement, a 
	county officer must provide the reasons for the decision.

	 

	LEGISLATURE
	LEGISLATORS

	LR: 2036	Sponsor: Representative Dostie of Sabattus
	Title:	An Act To Allow Legislators To Be Paid on a Monthly Basis
	Comments:	This bill would allow a Legislator to be paid on a monthly basis.

	 

	MUNICIPALITIES
	LAND USE

	LR: 2392	Sponsor: Representative Beaudette of Biddeford
	Title:	An Act To Clarify the Informed Growth Act
	Comments:	This bill would amend the Informed Growth Act.  It clarifies that a change of use 
	permit is not considered a land use permit under the Act and that the Act applies only 
	to new construction.  In addition, the bill seeks to clarify how the municipal reviewing 
	authority is to evaluate and consider the enumerated criteria in the comprehensive 
	economic impact study.

	 

	STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

	MUNICIPALITIES
	MUNICIPAL OFFICERS

	LR: 2372	Sponsor: Senator Bryant, B. of Oxford
	Title:	An Act To Require Municipal Officials To Perform Ministerial Actions
	Comments:	This bill would permit residents to sue municipal officials for failure to perform 
	ministerial or nondiscretionary actions that they are required to perform by statute, 
	ordinance or municipal warrant.

	 

	LR: 2397	Sponsor: Representative McCabe of Skowhegan
	Title:	An Act Relating to Municipal Elected Officials
	Comments:	This bill would amend the law dealing with the neglect of official duty to clarify that 
	the law includes all municipal elected officials.  The bill would also provide that the 
	Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices may hear complaints 
	relating to all municipal elected officials.

	 

	MUNICIPALITIES
	ROADS

	LR: 2075	Sponsor: Representative Magnan of Stockton Springs
	Title:	An Act To Authorize Municipal Officers To Resolve Road Naming Disputes
	Comments:	This bill would authorize municipal officers to make the final decision when there is a 
	dispute in the naming of a town road, private way or private road for E‑9‑1‑1 purposes.

	 

	MUNICIPALITIES
	TOWNS

	LR: 2174	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, J. of Bethel
	Title:	An Act Regarding Lands Held in Trust for the Benefit of the Citizens of Bethel
	Comments:	This bill would facilitate the use of lands held in trust for the benefit of the citizens of 
	Bethel.  These lands were given to a municipal organization in Bethel pursuant to a 
	deed of trust.

	 

	STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

	NOTARIES PUBLIC
	OUT OF STATE NOTARIES

	LR: 2455	Sponsor: Representative Briggs of Mexico
	Title:	An Act To Allow Notaries and Justices of the Peace from Other States To Perform 
	One‑time Wedding Ceremonies in Maine
	Comments:	This bill would allow a notary or a justice of the peace from another state to apply for 
	authority to perform a single, specified wedding ceremony in Maine.

	 

	STATE GOVERNMENT
	LAND CONVEYANCES

	LR: 2382	Sponsor: Representative McFadden of Dennysville
	Title:	An Act Regarding the Acquisition of the Backscatter Radar Site in Washington County
	Comments:	This bill would require the State to address the Federal Government's request that the 
	State acquire the Air Force's decommissioned Backscatter Radar site in Township 19 in 
	Washington County for the benefit of the residents of that county.

	 

	STATE GOVERNMENT
	PLANNING

	LR: 2160	Sponsor: Senator Smith, D. of Piscataquis
	Title:	An Act To Conduct a Maine Management and Cost Survey
	Comments:	This bill would require a study and analysis of the offices, departments, boards, 
	commissions and other agencies of the State and of the functions of State Government 
	to ascertain the manner in which services of the State may be offered in the most 
	efficient, expeditious and economical manner.

	 

	LR: 2280	Sponsor: Senator Rector of Knox
	Title:	An Act To Require State Agency Fee Increases To Be Approved by the Legislature
	Comments:	This bill would amend the law to eliminate authority for state agencies to set fees.  
	Under this bill, the Legislature would establish the acceptable fee range for every state 
	agency, and, in order to exceed that range, the agency would have to receive legislative 
	approval.

	 

	STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

	STATE GOVERNMENT
	PURCHASES

	LR: 2283	Sponsor: Representative Pratt of Eddington
	Title:	An Act To Restrict the Purchase by  State Agencies of Bottled Water
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit all state agencies from purchasing bottled water without prior 
	written authorization of the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services.

	 

	STATE GOVERNMENT
	STATE COMMEMORATIONS

	LR: 2046	Sponsor: Representative Briggs of Mexico
	Title:	An Act Designating March 29 Vietnam Veterans Day
	Comments:	This bill would establish March 29 as the state holiday of Vietnam Veterans Day 
	commemorating the date in 1973 when the last United States troops were withdrawn 
	from the war zone.

	 

	STATE GOVERNMENT
	STATE PERSONNEL

	LR: 2193	Sponsor: President Mitchell, E. of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Restore Longevity Pay
	Comments:	This bill would restore longevity pay for state workers.

	 

	TAXATION

	INCOME TAX
	CREDITS

	LR: 2135	Sponsor: President Mitchell, E. of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Improve the Seed Capital Investment Tax Credit Program
	Comments:	This bill would address the current capital gap for early stage businesses seeking equity 
	investment to grow and to create jobs in Maine by increasing the existing seed capital 
	investment tax credit from 40% of an eligible investment to 60% to attract and 
	encourage investors.  In addition to increasing the tax credit from 40% to 60% 
	uniformly across the State, the bill would eliminate the up‑front credit for investors in 
	certain venture capital funds, provide that the increased credit not have a revenue 
	impact until calendar year 2011 and increase the total of authorized credits from the 
	current $30 million to $50 million starting in 2012.  It also would make the tax credit 
	refundable in order to provide an incentive for out‑of‑state investors to invest in Maine 
	businesses.

	 

	LR: 2239	Sponsor: Representative MacDonald of Boothbay
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Law Implementing Tax Reform To Improve Household Credits 
	and Encourage Investments and Charitable Giving and Reduce the Tax Burden for 
	Catastrophic Medical Expenditures
	Comments:	This bill would adjust the maximum base alternate household credit for taxpayers to 
	recognize substantial federal itemized deductions due to mortgage investments 
	benefiting the State's economy, charitable giving or high medical expenditures.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2088	Representative Langley

	INCOME TAX
	INDEXING

	LR: 2309	Sponsor: Senator Nass, R. of York
	Title:	An Act To Reinstate Income Tax Indexing
	Comments:	This bill would repeal the provision of Public Law 2009, chapter 382 that suspends 
	income tax indexing and reinstates income tax indexing.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2088	Representative Langley

	MISCELLANEOUS TAXES
	EXCISE TAX

	LR: 2286	Sponsor: Representative Cushing of Hampden
	Title:	An Act To Encourage Extended Stays in Maine Waters
	Comments:	This bill would extend to 90 days the time during which boat owners may moor in 
	Maine ports and marinas without incurring additional taxation.

	 

	TAXATION

	PROPERTY TAX
	PROVISIONS REVISED

	LR: 2459	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	An Act To Increase the Affordability of Renewable Energy for Homeowners and Small 
	Businesses
	Comments:	This bill would permit municipal governments to offer long‑term financing of solar and 
	wind electric generation systems through a property tax lien financing program.

	 

	PROPERTY TAX
	TREE GROWTH TAX

	LR: 2086	Sponsor: Representative Martin, J. L. of Eagle Lake
	Title:	An Act To Improve Employment Opportunities for Maine Workers in the Forest 
	Industry
	Comments:	This bill would define bonded laborers, would curtail tree growth tax benefits for 
	owners of land who allow bonded laborers to harvest on that land and further would 
	impose on any such owner liability for full payment of the commercial forestry excise 
	tax on any such land in excess of 500 acres.

	 

	LR: 2178	Sponsor: Representative Watson of Bath
	Title:	An Act To Avoid Unnecessary Removal of Land from the Tree Growth Tax Law 
	Program
	Comments:	This bill would give landowners who fail to meet the filing deadline for recertification 
	for participation in the tree growth tax program one year to comply while keeping the 
	land enrolled.  The bill would establish the tax payment for a one‑year grace period 
	according to fair market value and the landowner would pay the higher tax rate and a 
	penalty for this grace period if the land is removed from the program.

	 

	PROPERTY TAX PROCEDURES
	MUNICIPALITIES

	LR: 2181	Sponsor: Representative Cray of Palmyra
	Title:	An Act To Provide Notice to a Municipality when a Mobile Home Is Moved
	Comments:	This bill would require a municipality from which a mobile home is removed to notify 
	the municipality to which the trailer home is to be moved.

	 

	TAXATION

	REVENUE SERVICES BUREAU
	POWERS

	LR: 2253	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	Resolve, To Promote Efficiency and To Streamline Access to the Maine Residents 
	Property Tax Program for Seniors, People with Disabilities and Working Families with 
	Low Incomes
	Comments:	This resolve directs Maine Revenue Services and the Department of Health and Human 
	Services, office of integrated access and support to examine ways to increase 
	administrative efficiencies and reduce the burden on applicants applying for the Maine 
	Residents Property Tax Program by accessing information already available through 
	the Department of Health and Human Services Automated Client Eligibility System.  It 
	also requires both departments to report their findings to the joint standing committee 
	of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters by January 1, 2011.

	 

	TAXATION

	REVENUE SERVICES BUREAU
	PROCEDURES

	LR: 2085	Sponsor: Representative Flemings of Bar Harbor
	Title:	An Act To Increase Financial Assets of Maine Citizens by Allowing Split Tax  
	Refunds
	Comments:	This bill would allow a recipient of a Maine income tax refund to request that the 
	refund be sent to more than one account, as is done in other states.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2487	Senator Sullivan

	LR: 2088	Sponsor: Representative Langley of Ellsworth
	Title:	An Act To Repeal Recent Changes to the Laws Governing Taxation
	Comments:	This bill would repeal the tax relief and tax reform changes enacted in the First 
	Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2141	Senator Courtney
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2238	Representative Watson
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2239	Representative MacDonald
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2299	Representative Piotti
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2309	Senator Nass, R.
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2371	Senator Bartlett
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2431	Senator Perry, J.
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2497	Representative Hill

	LR: 2299	Sponsor: Representative Piotti of Unity
	Title:	An Act To Adjust the Implementation of Possible Tax Changes
	Comments:	This bill would adjust the implementation schedule for the changes to the Maine tax 
	code through the laws implementing tax reform, if the people's veto signature effort is 
	approved by the Secretary of State and the question is placed on the June ballot.  
	Currently, if the law is upheld at the ballot, the tax changes will begin mid‑year, which 
	would be difficult to implement.  The bill will adjust the start dates and will be 
	necessary only if the question is placed on the June ballot.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2088	Representative Langley

	LR: 2300	Sponsor: Representative Piotti of Unity
	Title:	An Act To Modify the Maine Tax Code To Support Renewable Energy
	Comments:	This bill would adjust the method by which Maine communities assess taxes on new 
	renewable energy projects in order to better benefit the region in which those projects 
	are located.

	 

	TAXATION

	REVENUE SERVICES BUREAU
	PROCEDURES

	LR: 2431	Sponsor: Senator Perry, J. of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act To Implement Comprehensive Tax Reform
	Comments:	The bill would implement Maine's new sales tax early, create an elderly property tax 
	deferral and conform Maine law with federal law regarding accelerated depreciation or 
	business equipment.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2088	Representative Langley

	LR: 2471	Sponsor: Representative Cain of Orono
	Title:	An Act To Increase Transparency and Accountability and Assess the Impact of Tax 
	Incentive Programs
	Comments:	This bill would provide a mechanism for Maine Revenue Services to improve data 
	collection in the State's tax incentive programs to assess their impact over time to 
	inform policy decisions.

	 

	LR: 2487	Sponsor: Senator Sullivan of York
	Title:	An Act To Allow the Direct Deposit of an Income Tax Refund into a Maximum of 3 
	Checking or Savings Accounts
	Comments:	This bill would allow a taxpayer to direct the deposit of an income tax refund into a 
	maximum of 3 checking or savings accounts at a financial institution.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2085	Representative Flemings

	TAXATION

	SALES AND USE TAX
	EXEMPT ITEMS

	LR: 2042	Sponsor: Senator Trahan of Lincoln
	Title:	An Act To Make Retroactive the Sales Tax Exemption for Meals Served to Residents 
	of Retirement Facilities
	Comments:	This bill would make retroactive a sales tax exemption for meals served to residents of 
	retirement facilities that was enacted in the tax reform law, Public Law 2009, chapter 
	382.
	Closely Related CO:	LD 1335

	LR: 2141	Sponsor: Senator Courtney of York
	Title:	An Act To Repeal the Sales Tax on Automobile Repairs
	Comments:	This bill would repeal the sales tax on repairs to automobiles.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2088	Representative Langley

	LR: 2287	Sponsor: Representative Cushing of Hampden
	Title:	An Act To Encourage Saving and Investing by Maine Citizens
	Comments:	This bill would exempt coins and bullion purchased for investment purposes from the 
	sales tax.

	 

	LR: 2475	Sponsor: Senator Mills, P. of Somerset
	Title:	An Act To Exempt from the Sales and Use Tax Products Used in Dairy Farming
	Comments:	This bill would exempt all supplies and repair parts used in the process of milking 
	cows from the sales and use tax.

	 

	LR: 2495	Sponsor: Senator Mills, P. of Somerset
	Title:	An Act To Exempt from Sales Tax Rafting Trips on the Kennebec River, Penobscot 
	River and Dead River
	Comments:	This bill would exempt from sales tax rafting trips on the Kennebec River, Penobscot 
	River and Dead River.

	 

	TAXATION

	SALES AND USE TAX
	EXEMPT PURCHASERS

	LR: 2157	Sponsor: Representative Watson of Bath
	Title:	An Act to Make a Minor Technical Change in the Tax Laws Governing the Sales Tax 
	Exemption for Snowmobile Trail Grooming Equipment
	Comments:	This bill would remove the requirement that a snowmobile club be classified as a 
	nonprofit organization in order to be eligible for the sales tax exemption for 
	snowmobile trail grooming equipment.

	 

	LR: 2250	Sponsor: Senator Sherman of Aroostook
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Law Governing Sales Tax Exemptions for Certain Nonprofit 
	Youth Organizations
	Comments:	This bill would expand application of the sales tax exemption for nonprofit youth 
	organizations whose primary purpose is to provide athletic instruction to also include 
	nonprofit youth organizations that provide artistic instruction in nonresidential settings.

	 

	SALES AND USE TAX
	EXEMPT SELLERS

	LR: 2238	Sponsor: Representative Watson of Bath
	Title:	An Act To Improve the Law Implementing Tax Reform
	Comments:	This bill would refine the sales tax exemption for business‑to‑business taxable services 
	among affiliated companies to avoid ambiguity and misinterpretation.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2088	Representative Langley

	TAXATION

	SALES AND USE TAX
	ITEMS TAXED

	LR: 2176	Sponsor: Representative Watson of Bath
	Title:	An Act To Provide Tax Relief
	Comments:	This bill would impose a sales tax on public and private golf courses, bowling alleys 
	and ski lift tickets.  This bill would also grant an exemption to ski areas for the 
	purchase of water and power necessary for snowmaking.

	 

	LR: 2371	Sponsor: Senator Bartlett of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act Regarding the Tax on Candy
	Comments:	If the people's veto petition filed with respect to the tax reform law is determined to be 
	invalid by the Secretary of State, this bill would reverse the changes made to the 
	taxation of candy by that law.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2088	Representative Langley

	SALES AND USE TAX
	LOCAL OPTION

	LR: 2472	Sponsor: Representative Lovejoy of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Create an Optional Local Sales Tax To Support Education
	Comments:	This bill would allow a county to set an optional county sales tax up to 1% for 
	kindergarten to grade 12 education funding.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 1381
	Closely Related CO:	LD 1253

	SALES AND USE TAX
	MEALS AND LODGING

	LR: 2497	Sponsor: Representative Hill of York
	Title:	An Act To Exempt from the Increased Lodging Tax Group Lodging Contracts That 
	Were Entered into before June 13, 2009
	Comments:	This bill would exempt from the increased lodging tax group lodging contracts that 
	were entered into before June 13, 2009.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2088	Representative Langley

	TRANSPORTATION

	AERONAUTICS
	AIR SERVICE

	LR: 2362	Sponsor: Senator Marrache of Kennebec
	Title:	An Act To Establish a Commission To Promote General Aviation in the State
	Comments:	This bill would establish in the laws an ongoing commission to aid the Department of 
	Transportation in developing and maintaining aviation and airports in the State.

	 

	BICYCLES
	REGISTRATION

	LR: 2108	Sponsor: Representative Cotta of China
	Title:	An Act To Register Bicycles and To Establish a Safety Course for Bicyclists
	Comments:	This bill would require that bicycles be registered and that a bicyclist must take a 
	bicycle safety course.

	 

	BICYCLES
	REQUIREMENTS

	LR: 2274	Sponsor: Representative Carey of Lewiston
	Title:	An Act To Provide for the Safety of Young Maine Athletes
	Comments:	This bill would amend the rules governing the rules of the road to extend to the 
	operation of roller skis those same requirements governing the operation of bicycles.

	 

	BUSES
	TRAINING

	LR: 2140	Sponsor: Representative Thomas of Ripley
	Title:	An Act To Authorize School Bus Driver Trainees To Use Flashing Lights during 
	Training
	Comments:	This bill would authorize school bus driver trainees to use flashing lights during their 
	training.

	 

	TRANSPORTATION

	GENERAL HIGHWAY FUND
	TRANSFERS

	LR: 2132	Sponsor: Senator Gooley of Franklin
	Title:	An Act To Transfer Funding for Certain Expenditures That Are Not Related to 
	Transportation from the Highway Fund to the General Fund
	Comments:	This bill would transfer funding for certain expenditures that are not related to 
	transportation, such as expenditures related to the Office of the Secretary of State and 
	the Department of Public Safety, from the Highway Fund to the General Fund.

	 

	LR: 2424	Sponsor: Representative Browne of Vassalboro
	Title:	An Act To Designate Funds from the Highway Fund to the Highway and Bridge Light 
	Capital Program
	Comments:	This bill would designate a certain portion of the Highway Fund money to the Highway 
	and Bridge Light Capital program to be used for maintenance service treatment.

	 

	MOTOR CARRIERS
	SAFETY

	LR: 2188	Sponsor: Representative Crockett, P. of Augusta
	Title:	An Act To Allow the State To Receive Full Funding under the Federal Motor Carrier 
	Safety Assistance Program
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing motor carriers to achieve compatibility with 
	federal Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program regulations in order to allow the State 
	to receive full funding under the program.  The State currently receives 50% funding 
	under the program.

	 

	MOTOR VEHICLES
	INSPECTION

	LR: 2313	Sponsor: Senator Bowman of York
	Title:	An Act To Expand Enhanced Automobile Emissions Inspections throughout the State
	Comments:	This bill would require that the enhanced automobile emissions inspections in place in 
	Cumberland County be applied statewide.

	 

	TRANSPORTATION

	MOTOR VEHICLES
	NUMBER PLATES

	LR: 2070	Sponsor: Senator Plowman of Penobscot
	Title:	An Act To Decrease the Number of Plates Required To Be Displayed on a Motor 
	Vehicle from 2 to One
	Comments:	This bill would decrease the number of registration plates required to be displayed on a 
	motor vehicle from 2 to one.  A registration plate would be required on the back of a 
	motor vehicle.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2415	Representative McCabe

	LR: 2415	Sponsor: Representative McCabe of Skowhegan
	Title:	An Act To Amend Maine's Law Relating to Motor Vehicle License Plates
	Comments:	This bill would require motor vehicles in the State to have only one license plate on the 
	rear of the vehicle

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2070	Senator Plowman

	LR: 2418	Sponsor: Representative Pilon of Saco
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the "We Support Our Troops" Registration 
	Plates
	Comments:	This bill would clarify where in the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency 
	Management proceeds from the sale of "We Support Our Troops" registration plates 
	are to be deposited and specifies the authority of the We Support Our Troops Advisory 
	Board with respect to the determination of the use of these proceeds.

	 

	LR: 2439	Sponsor: Senator Raye of Washington
	Title:	An Act To Preserve the "We Support Our Troops" Registration Plate
	Comments:	This bill would reduce the number of "We Support Our Troops" registration plates that 
	must be outstanding to keep the registration plate from being retired.

	 

	MOTORCYCLES
	OPERATION

	LR: 2053	Sponsor: Senator Sullivan of York
	Title:	An Act To Reduce Noise Caused by Motorcycles and Improve Public Health
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit a person from operating a motorcycle manufactured after 
	December 31, 1982 unless it is equipped with an exhaust system or muffler that bears a 
	federal Environmental Protection Agency stamp or label.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 920

	 

	TRANSPORTATION

	MOTORCYCLES
	PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR

	LR: 2057	Sponsor: Representative Beaudoin of Biddeford
	Title:	An Act Concerning Motorcyclist Safety
	Comments:	This bill would require that a motorcyclist who has had a motorcycle operator license 
	for fewer than 10 years wear a protective helmet.
	JR 217 Ruling Needed:	LD 453

	 

	NAVIGATION
	FERRIES

	LR: 2051	Sponsor: Representative Blodgett of Augusta
	Title:	An Act To Ensure Access to Ferries for Persons with Physical Limitations
	Comments:	This bill would require that all ferries in the State have wheelchairs available for 
	persons with physical limitations.

	 

	PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
	PUBLIC PRIVATE FUNDING

	LR: 2033	Sponsor: Representative MacDonald of Boothbay
	Title:	An Act To Stimulate the Maine Economy and Promote the Development of Maine's 
	Priority Transportation Infrastructure Needs
	Comments:	This bill would allow the Department of Transportation to receive or solicit proposals 
	and enter into agreements with private entities or consortia for the building, operation, 
	ownership, leasing or financing of certain transportation projects as set forth in Public 
	Law 2007, chapter 470.

	 

	RAILROADS
	SAFETY

	LR: 2035	Sponsor: Representative Fitts of Pittsfield
	Title:	An Act To Impose Service Requirements on Railroads That Receive Funds from the 
	Department of Transportation
	Comments:	This bill would require that any railroad receiving funds from the State demonstrate 
	and meet certain service requirements or pay a penalty for failure to meet those service 
	requirements.

	 

	TRANSPORTATION

	ROADS
	BRIDGES

	LR: 2096	Sponsor: Representative Eves of North Berwick
	Title:	Resolve, To Name a Bridge in North Berwick the North Berwick Veterans Memorial 
	Bridge
	Comments:	This resolve would name a bridge in North Berwick the North Berwick Veterans 
	Memorial Bridge for veterans events in the town to take place in May of 2010.

	 

	LR: 2245	Sponsor: Representative Pinkham of Lexington Township
	Title:	Resolve, To Name the New Bridge over Gilman Stream in New Portland the Joshua 
	Bernard Memorial Bridge
	Comments:	This resolve would name the new bridge over Gilman Stream in New Portland the 
	Joshua Bernard Memorial Bridge.

	 

	ROADS
	DIRECTIONAL SIGNS

	LR: 2123	Sponsor: Representative Thomas of Ripley
	Title:	Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Install a Flashing Stop Light 
	at the Intersection of Route 201 and Route 43 in Madison
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Department of Transportation to install a flashing stop 
	light at the intersection of Route 201 and Route 43 in Madison.

	 

	LR: 2360	Sponsor: Representative Tardy of Newport
	Title:	An Act Regarding the Placement of a Sign at Saddleback Mountain
	Comments:	This bill would allow Saddleback Mountain, located in the Town of Rangeley, to erect 
	a 5‑foot‑by‑6‑foot directional sign on the access road to the resort, at the corner of 
	Route 4 and Dallas Hill Road.  Prior to the sign's placement, Saddleback Mountain 
	must receive approval from the Town of Rangeley.

	 

	TRANSPORTATION

	ROADS
	MAINTENANCE

	LR: 2279	Sponsor: Senator Courtney of York
	Title:	An Act To Dedicate Surplus Transportation Funds to Highway Maintenance and 
	Paving
	Comments:	This bill would require that any additional revenues over the amount budgeted in the 
	Highway Fund budget be dedicated solely to maintenance and paving.

	 

	LR: 2388	Sponsor: Representative Fletcher of Winslow
	Title:	An Act To Support the Paving and Maintenance of Maine's Highways
	Comments:	This bill would require that 15% of the annual fuel tax revenues be dedicated to the 
	maintenance and paving of highways.

	 

	LR: 2442	Sponsor: Representative Piotti of Unity
	Title:	An Act To Improve Safety and Reduce Maintenance Costs on Maine Highways
	Comments:	This bill would direct the Department of Transportation to develop rules requiring 
	through‑truck traffic to use federally maintained roads rather than state‑maintained 
	roads.

	 

	ROADS
	NAMING

	LR: 2077	Sponsor: Senator Gooley of Franklin
	Title:	Resolve, To Name Route 27 from Kingfield to Stratton the Caleb Dalton Stevens 
	Memorial Highway
	Comments:	This resolve would name Route 27 from Kingfield to Stratton the Caleb Dalton 
	Stevens Memorial Highway.

	 

	TRANSPORTATION

	ROADS
	PRIVATE WAYS

	LR: 2137	Sponsor: Representative Thomas of Ripley
	Title:	An Act To Allow Members of a Road Association To Appeal an Assessment Made by 
	the Association to the Local Appeals Board
	Comments:	This bill would allow a member or an affected nonmember to appeal any assessment 
	made by a private road association to the local appeals board.

	 

	LR: 2177	Sponsor: Representative Bryant, M. of Windham
	Title:	An Act To Establish a Process of Determining Camp Road Ownership
	Comments:	This bill would assist camp road associations in determining ownership of camp roads 
	in order to repair and upgrade the roads so that the roads could become town‑owned 
	public roads.

	 

	ROADS
	REST AREAS

	LR: 2115	Sponsor: Representative Johnson of Greenville
	Title:	Resolve, Authorizing the Transfer of State Land to the Natural Resource Education 
	Center of Greenville
	Comments:	This resolve would transfer the Department of Transportation rest stop on Route 15 in 
	Greenville to the Natural Resource Education Center of Greenville.

	 

	LR: 2121	Sponsor: Representative Thomas of Ripley
	Title:	An Act To Encourage Tourism by Ensuring the Safety, Accessibility and Availability 
	of Highway Rest Stops and Scenic Overlooks
	Comments:	This bill would require that the rest stops on Interstate 95 located in Pittsfield and 
	Sidney be reopened.  This bill would also prohibit loitering at rest stops and require 
	winter plowing of the scenic overlook on Interstate 95 that overlooks Mount Katahdin.

	 

	TRANSPORTATION

	TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
	CELL PHONE USE

	LR: 2056	Sponsor: Representative Beaudoin of Biddeford
	Title:	An Act To Prohibit Text Messaging while Driving
	Comments:	This bill would expand the distracted driver law to specifically prohibit text messaging 
	while operating a motor vehicle.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2058	Representative Rotundo
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2098	Representative Van Wie
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2100	Representative Eves

	LR: 2058	Sponsor: Representative Rotundo of Lewiston
	Title:	An Act To Prohibit Texting While Driving
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit texting while driving.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2056	Representative Beaudoin
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2098	Representative Van Wie
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2100	Representative Eves

	LR: 2098	Sponsor: Representative Van Wie of New Gloucester
	Title:	An Act To Define Texting or Keyboarding while Operating a Motor Vehicle as a 
	Reckless Act
	Comments:	This bill would define texting or keyboarding while operating a motor vehicle as a 
	reckless act and would impose penalties similar to those provided under the laws 
	governing operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2056	Representative Beaudoin
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2058	Representative Rotundo
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2100	Representative Eves

	LR: 2100	Sponsor: Representative Eves of North Berwick
	Title:	An Act To Prohibit Texting while Operating a Motor Vehicle
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit texting while operating a motor vehicle.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2056	Representative Beaudoin
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2058	Representative Rotundo
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2098	Representative Van Wie

	TRANSPORTATION

	TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
	ENFORCEMENT

	LR: 2064	Sponsor: Representative Pilon of Saco
	Title:	An Act To Remove Restrictions on the Use of Traffic Surveillance Cameras by the 
	State and Municipalities
	Comments:	This bill would repeal the prohibition on the use by the State or a municipality of a 
	traffic surveillance camera to prove or enforce a violation of the laws governing motor 
	vehicles.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2364	Senator Damon

	LR: 2248	Sponsor: Senator Bowman of York
	Title:	An Act To Allow Fines for Violations on Town Roads To Be Kept by Towns
	Comments:	This bill would allow towns to keep fines or forfeitures imposed for a violation of the 
	motor vehicle laws.

	 

	LR: 2364	Sponsor: Senator Damon of Hancock
	Title:	An Act To Regulate the Use of Traffic Surveillance Cameras
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit the use of traffic surveillance cameras and add automated 
	license plate recognition systems to the list of regulated surveillance technology.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2064	Representative Pilon

	TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
	PARKING

	LR: 2155	Sponsor: Representative Martin, J. L. of Eagle Lake
	Title:	An Act To Require the Bureau of Motor Vehicles To Accept Certification of Disability 
	from the Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services
	Comments:	This bill would require the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to accept certification of a 
	person's disability from the Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services for the purpose of 
	obtaining a disability registration plate.

	 

	TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
	SPEED

	LR: 2208	Sponsor: Senator Trahan of Lincoln
	Title:	An Act To Establish Emergency Zones
	Comments:	This bill would designate an area where emergency personnel are assisting an injured 
	person as an emergency zone and would add that area to the list of mandatory reduced 
	speed zones, such as construction zones.

	 

	TRANSPORTATION

	TRANSPORTATION DEPT
	ADMINISTRATION

	LR: 2144	Sponsor: Senator Smith, D. of Piscataquis
	Title:	Resolve, Requiring the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability 
	To Look at the Structure and Management of the Department of Transportation
	Comments:	This resolve would require the Office of Program Evaluation and Government 
	Accountability to look at the structure and management of the Department of 
	Transportation and make recommendations for reducing the size and the cost of the 
	department.

	 

	TRANSPORTATION

	TRANSPORTATION DEPT
	PLANNING

	LR: 2234	Sponsor: Senator Sherman of Aroostook
	Title:	Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Review the Fiscal Impact on 
	the State of the Closure of the Railroad Track between Madawaska and Millinocket
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Department of Transportation to review the fiscal impact 
	on the State of the proposed closure of the railroad track between Madawaska and 
	Millinocket and report its findings to the Second Regular Session of the 124th 
	Legislature.

	 

	LR: 2333	Sponsor: Representative Thomas of Ripley
	Title:	An Act To Improve Maine's Roads
	Comments:	This bill would generate $40,000,000 to $50,000,000 to be matched by federal funds to 
	rebuild some of the worst roads in the State and establish parameters for use of the 
	funds.

	 

	LR: 2334	Sponsor: Representative Strang Burgess of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Reduce Road Noise within Posted Areas
	Comments:	This bill would provide a standard for excessive noise of vehicles on posted roads at 
	greater than 85 decibels within 50 feet.

	 

	LR: 2366	Sponsor: Representative Beaudette of Biddeford
	Title:	An Act To Clarify the Authority of the Department of Transportation Regarding 
	Economic Development Projects That Involve Multiple Property Owners with 
	Common Roadway Access
	Comments:	This bill would require the Department of Transportation to streamline and clarify 
	requirements concerning traffic management infrastructure projects that involve 
	several property owners with common roadway access.

	 

	TRANSPORTATION DISTRICTS
	PLANNING

	LR: 2145	Sponsor: Senator Smith, D. of Piscataquis
	Title:	An Act To Establish a Rural Highway Authority
	Comments:	This bill would establish a rural highway authority and create a 5‑person advisory 
	board to look at rural transportation needs and make recommendations for the use of 
	money to repair roads.

	 

	UTILITIES AND ENERGY

	ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
	RENEWABLE RESOURCES

	LR: 2370	Sponsor: Senator Bartlett of Cumberland
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Electric Utility Industry Laws as They Relate to Renewable 
	Resources
	Comments:	This bill would amend various definitions in the electric utility industry laws as they 
	relate to renewable resources.

	 

	LR: 2499	Sponsor: Representative Adams of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Strengthen the Community‑based Renewable Energy Pilot Program
	Comments:	This bill would revise recently enacted legislation on feed‑in tariffs and 
	community‑based energy generation facilities to correct some issues that have arisen.

	 

	ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
	SOLAR ENERGY

	LR: 2346	Sponsor: Representative Nelson of Falmouth
	Title:	Resolve, To Review Certification Requirements for Installation of Solar Energy 
	Systems
	Comments:	This resolve would require the Public Utilities Commission to report to the Joint 
	Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy as to whether the requirements under the 
	solar and wind energy rebate program are appropriate for ensuring proper installation 
	of solar energy systems.

	 

	LR: 2440	Sponsor: Representative Russell of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Ensure Existing Solar Collectors Are Not Shaded from the Sun
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit a person from growing trees or shrubs or erecting a structure 
	that would block an existing solar collector from the sun.

	 

	ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
	WIND ENERGY

	LR: 2183	Sponsor: Speaker Pingree of North Haven
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Noise Limitations on Wind Turbines
	Comments:	This bill would amend the laws governing noise limitations on wind turbines to 
	account for variables such as ambient noise provided by the wind itself.

	 

	UTILITIES AND ENERGY

	ELECTRIC UTILITIES
	PLANNING

	LR: 2419	Sponsor: Representative Russell of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Establish a Smart Electric Grid in the State
	Comments:	This bill would establish a smart electric grid to modernize the State's electricity 
	transmission and distribution system to maintain a reliable, secure and cost‑effective 
	infrastructure that can meet future demand growth.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2434	Representative Russell
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2458	Representative Hinck

	LR: 2434	Sponsor: Representative Russell of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Establish a New Electric Utility To Create a Smart Electric Grid in the State
	Comments:	This bill would establish a new electric utility to create a smart electric grid in the 
	State.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2419	Representative Russell
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2458	Representative Hinck

	LR: 2458	Sponsor: Representative Hinck of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Create a Smart Grid in the State
	Comments:	This bill would establish a state policy on smart grid infrastructure.  It would establish 
	a state policy to transition Maine's energy infrastructure to a smart grid by 2012.  The 
	bill would provide a ranked set of resource preferences for reducing energy 
	consumption and lowering costs to consumers.  The bill would require state agencies to 
	advocate for this policy and require the Public Utilities Commission to ensure 
	applicable standards are met.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2419	Representative Russell
	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2434	Representative Russell

	ELECTRIC UTILITIES
	RATES

	LR: 2423	Sponsor: Senator Smith, D. of Piscataquis
	Title:	Resolve, To Direct the Public Utilities Commission To Report the Electric Rate Impact 
	of Climate Change Regulations
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Public Utilities Commission to report quarterly the 
	electric rate impact of climate change regulations, such as the Regional Greenhouse 
	Gas Initiative.

	 

	UTILITIES AND ENERGY

	ELECTRIC UTILITIES
	TRANSMISSION LINES

	LR: 2433	Sponsor: Representative Russell of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Regulate Ultra‑high‑voltage Transmission Lines
	Comments:	This bill would define "ultra‑high‑voltage transmission line" in the site location of 
	development laws.  The bill would also require that all ultra‑high‑voltage transmission 
	lines must be buried in a manner that is consistent with federal, state and local electric 
	codes and building standards.

	 

	ENERGY
	EFFICIENCY MAINE TRUST

	LR: 2363	Sponsor: Representative Wagner of Lyman
	Title:	An Act To Adjust Eligibility for Grants through the Efficiency Maine Trust
	Comments:	This bill would propose to amend the Efficiency Maine Trust Act as it applies to 
	electric thermal storage heating to allow electric thermal storage heating to compete for 
	funding from the trust on an equal basis with other measures proposed for greenhouse 
	gas reduction.

	 

	ENERGY
	ELECTRICITY GENERATION

	LR: 2474	Sponsor: Senator Mills, P. of Somerset
	Title:	An Act To Require That New Sources of Electrical Generation in the State Must 
	Provide a Tangible Benefit to Maine Ratepayers in the Form of Discounts to Future 
	Electrical Rates
	Comments:	This bill would require new sources of electrical generation to provide a tangible 
	benefit in the form of discounts.

	 

	UTILITIES AND ENERGY

	ENERGY
	PLANNING

	LR: 2090	Sponsor: Representative Innes of Yarmouth
	Title:	An Act To Lower Municipal Energy Costs by the Formation of Municipal Energy 
	Committees
	Comments:	This bill would facilitate the formation of municipal energy committees to develop 
	local "smart energy" and sustainability plans.

	 

	LR: 2446	Sponsor: Representative Martin, J. L. of Eagle Lake
	Title:	An Act To Ensure That Maine's Energy Corridor Policy Does Not Harm Maine's 
	Renewable Power
	Comments:	This bill would extend the reporting deadline of the Commission to Study Energy 
	Infrastructure to May 1, 2010 and authorize the joint standing committee of the 
	Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities and energy matters to submit a bill to the 
	First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.  It would require the commission to 
	include findings regarding renewable energy, economic effects and impact on 
	consumers as well as give preference to energy project development in the State.

	 

	LR: 2473	Sponsor: Senator Mills, P. of Somerset
	Title:	An Act To Establish a Commission To Approve Energy Corridor Designations in 
	Accordance with Criteria Beneficial to the People of Maine
	Comments:	This bill would establish a corridor commission with 2 members of the Public Utilities 
	Commission, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the 
	Director of the State Planning Office to approve future projects based on 3 priorities.

	 

	LR: 2478	Sponsor: Representative Berry of Bowdoinham
	Title:	An Act To Enhance Maine's Clean Energy Opportunities
	Comments:	This bill would include in the Efficiency Maine Trust's triennial plan the investigation 
	of the national and regional carbon market and consider the appropriate participation of 
	the State.  The bill would also require the Public Utilities Commission to purchase all 
	cost‑effective energy‑efficient supply made available through the Efficiency Maine 
	Trust as part of standard‑offer purchases.

	 

	UTILITIES AND ENERGY

	PUBLIC ADVOCATE
	ADMINISTRATION

	LR: 2500	Sponsor: Representative Adams of Portland
	Title:	An Act To Enhance the Independence of the Office of the Public Advocate
	Comments:	This bill would increase the term of office for the Public Advocate position from 4 
	years to 6 years beginning in 2013.

	 

	PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
	POWERS

	LR: 2303	Sponsor: Representative Adams of Portland
	Title:	Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission To Adopt Rules To Improve the 
	Safety of Multiunit Rental Dwellings
	Comments:	This resolve would direct the Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules to authorize 
	utilities to notify the owners of multiunit rental dwellings when the utility for a 
	particular rental unit is going to be shut off for nonpayment.  This bill would ensure 
	that certain tenant information remains confidential and would provide information to 
	tenants about utility payment assistance programs.

	 

	PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
	PROCEDURES

	LR: 2082	Sponsor: Representative Pilon of Saco
	Title:	An Act To Require That a Utility Company Notify the Owner of Property prior to 
	Disconnecting Services
	Comments:	This bill would require that a utility company notify the owner of property prior to 
	disconnecting services.

	 

	UTILITIES AND ENERGY

	TELECOMMUNICATIONS
	BROADBAND SERVICES

	LR: 2045	Sponsor: Representative Peterson of Rumford
	Title:	An Act To Maintain Internet Access for Maine Citizens and Businesses
	Comments:	This bill would continue to authorize Internet services pricing to be based exclusively 
	on market competition as long as pricing for these services is based on a unitary 
	scheme, such as a monthly fee for specified bandwidth.  If, however, an internet 
	service provider chooses to alter the pricing structure to a metered fee based on 
	utilization within that bandwidth, that pricing would be subject to review and approval 
	by the Public Utilities Commission and would require the filing of a rate case with full 
	disclosure of the attendant costs, margins and reasons for the pricing changes, and 
	would allow the Public Advocate to intervene on behalf of Maine consumers.

	 

	LR: 2173	Sponsor: Representative Flaherty of Scarborough
	Title:	An Act To Establish a Broadband Policy for Maine
	Comments:	This bill would make affordable internet service available to all residents and 
	businesses in the State by maximizing sustainable private investment in broadband 
	infrastructure.

	 

	TELECOMMUNICATIONS
	CELLULAR PHONES

	LR: 2148	Sponsor: Representative Martin, J.R. of Orono
	Title:	An Act To Allow a Person To Change Cell Phone Service Providers after the First 
	Term of a Contract
	Comments:	This bill would allow a consumer to choose another service provider and keep the 
	technology that was purchased  from a previous service provider after the first term of 
	a contract, if the first service provider does not meet the consumer's needs.

	 

	UTILITIES AND ENERGY

	TELECOMMUNICATIONS
	TELEPHONE SYSTEMS

	LR: 2078	Sponsor: Representative Johnson of Greenville
	Title:	An Act To Require Price Quotes for Telephone Service To Be in Writing prior to 
	Service
	Comments:	This bill would require that price quotes provided to consumers for telephone service 
	be in writing and that a quote be honored in the billing for the service.

	 

	LR: 2101	Sponsor: Representative Eves of North Berwick
	Title:	An Act To Permit Telephone Companies To Provide Directories by Customer Request 
	Only
	Comments:	This bill would permit telephone companies to provide directories by customer request 
	only.

	 

	LR: 2465	Sponsor: Representative Fletcher of Winslow
	Title:	An Act To Protect Rural Maine Telephone Ratepayers
	Comments:	This bill would require that the Public Utilities Commission evaluate the economic 
	harm to telecommunications and information service providers caused by competition 
	with or the limited procurement practices of the University of Maine System.  The 
	State shall compensate such harmed telecommunications and information service 
	providers.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2466	Representative Fitts

	TELECOMMUNICATIONS
	UNIVERSAL SERVICE

	LR: 2466	Sponsor: Representative Fitts of Pittsfield
	Title:	An Act To Protect Universal Service
	Comments:	This bill would prohibit an instrumentality or agency of the State from providing 
	telecommunications service or information service to any person other than itself or its 
	tenants and from procuring such services in a manner that constrains or limits the 
	alternative proposals that may be submitted to meet the instrumentality's or agency's 
	needs.  This bill also would recognize a private right of action in Superior Court for 
	injunctive relief against and damages ensuing from such unlawful competition.  This 
	bill also would remove the unfair competitive advantage allowed to the University of 
	Maine in locating equipment on existing utility facilities.

	Closely Related Leg Req:	LR	 2465	Representative Fletcher

	UTILITIES AND ENERGY

	UTILITY DISTRICTS
	CHARTER CHANGES

	LR: 2153	Sponsor: Representative Martin, J. L. of Eagle Lake
	Title:	An Act To Raise the Indebtedness Limit of the Eagle Lake Water and Sewer District
	Comments:	This bill would raise the indebtedness limit of the Eagle Lake Water and Sewer District 
	from $2,500,000 to $3,500,000.

	 

	LR: 2184	Sponsor: Representative Thomas of Ripley
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Charter of the Dexter Utility District
	Comments:	This bill would amend the charter of the Dexter Utility District to allow the district to 
	disconnect a customer's water service if that customer fails to pay for sewer service.

	 

	LR: 2255	Sponsor: Representative Hayes of Buckfield
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Charter of the Buckfield Village Corporation
	Comments:	This bill would revise and update the charter of the Buckfield Village Corporation.

	 

	LR: 2293	Sponsor: Representative Tardy of Newport
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Charter of the Corinna Water District
	Comments:	This bill would amend the charter of the Corinna Water District to permit trustees to be 
	elected in the same manner as other town officials.

	 

	LR: 2390	Sponsor: Representative Edgecomb of Caribou
	Title:	An Act To Amend the Charter of the Caribou Water District
	Comments:	This bill would amend the charter of the Caribou Water District to make changes 
	necessary for the operation of the Caribou Water District.

	 

	UTILITY DISTRICTS
	FEES

	LR: 2252	Sponsor: Representative Fitts of Pittsfield
	Title:	An Act To Streamline Collections for Consumer‑owned Consolidated Water and 
	Wastewater Utilities
	Comments:	This bill would allow consumer‑owned consolidated utilities to disconnect water 
	service for nonpayment of sewer charges.

	 

	UTILITIES AND ENERGY

	UTILITY DISTRICTS
	NEW

	LR: 2204	Sponsor: Senator Weston of Waldo
	Title:	An Act To Create the Lincolnville Sewer District
	Comments:	This bill would create the Lincolnville Sewer District.

	 

	UTILITY DISTRICTS
	POWERS

	LR: 2109	Sponsor: Representative Chase of Wells
	Title:	An Act To Authorize Sanitary Districts To Waive an Automatic Sewer Lien 
	Foreclosure
	Comments:	This bill would provide the option for sanitary districts to waive the automatic 
	foreclosure of a sewer lien in the same way as municipalities may currently waive 
	automatic foreclosure of a tax lien.

	 

	Total number of bills screened: 373	Report: SCRNSUB22