AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave unanimous initial approval Wednesday to a bill from Rep. Sean Paulhus, D-Bath, that would provide extra support to food banks in the event of an emergency.
"No person or family should be going without nutritious food, especially during a large-scale crisis," said Paulhus. "This bill will ensure that when we are all pulling together to face down a crisis, Maine can act quickly to help those most in need. I'm grateful to my colleagues and to the Mills administration for working toward creating this important safety valve for Maines food banks."
LD 1299, An Act To Permit Emergency Funding for Food Banks When a State of Emergency is Declared, authorizes the governor to immediately distribute up to $400,000 from the Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as the "rainy day fund", to support food banks throughout Maine when the state enters a period of civil emergency. The bill also supports farms by giving them the ability to leverage the emergency funds to apply for grants.
In testimony during the bills public hearing, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conversation and Forestry noted that the demand for food banks was especially apparent at the very beginning of the pandemic before policymakers had the opportunity to fully react.
"One of the lessons we learned from this pandemic is that we need strong tools in place, ones that are already built into the system, to meet immediate needs," said Paulhus. "The Legislature won't always be in session or in a position to return to session when future crises make themselves known."
The bill now faces votes in the Senate.
Paulhus is serving his second term in the Maine House and represents the city of Bath.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Paulhus], c. 812-1111