January 8, 2020

WEEKLY NOTICES OF STATE RULEMAKING
Public Input for Proposed and Adopted Rules

Notices are published each Wednesday to alert the public regarding state agency rulemaking. You may obtain a copy of any rule by notifying the agency contact person. You may also comment on the rule, and/or attend the public hearing. If no hearing is scheduled, you may request one -- the agency may then schedule a hearing, and must do so if 5 or more persons request it. If you are disabled or need special services to attend a hearing, please notify the agency contact person at least 7 days prior to it. Petitions: you can petition an agency to adopt, amend, or repeal any rule; the agency must provide you with petition forms, and must respond to your petition within 60 days. The agency must enter rulemaking if the petition is signed by 150 or more registered voters, and may begin rulemaking if there are fewer. You can also petition the Legislature to review a rule; the Executive Director of the Legislative Council (115 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333, phone (207) 287-1615) will provide you with the necessary petition forms. The appropriate legislative committee will review a rule upon receipt of a petition from 100 or more registered voters, or from "...any person who may be directly, substantially and adversely affected by the application of a rule..." (Title 5 Section 11112). World-Wide Web: Copies of the weekly notices and the full texts of adopted rule chapters may be found on the internet at: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules. There is also a list of rulemaking liaisons, who are single points of contact for each agency.


NOTICE


AGENCY: 29-250 - Department of Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions
RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Request for Comments on the Maine Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
CONCISE SUMMARY: By the end of January, 2020, the Secretary of State must file an annual report to the Governor and the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government on the Administrative Procedure Act. The purpose of this ad is to solicit, from state agencies and the public, recommendations for improvements to the rulemaking process. We will include a summary on these recommendations in the report. Please submit comments via email or U.S. postal.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 5 MRS §8056-A
PUBLIC HEARING: None
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: January 23, 2020
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Don Wismer, APA Coordinator, Department of Secretary of State, 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Telephone: (207) 624-7650. Fax: (207) 287-6545. Email: Don.Wismer@Maine.gov.
WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/index.html .


PROPOSALS


AGENCY: 13-188 - Department of Marine Resources (DMR)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 8, Landings Program
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2019-P287
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking updates reporting requirements for herring and menhaden. The Primary Buyer Permit reporting elements for herring have been expanded and will be required weekly. The Herring Harvester Permit reporting requirements have been expanded and will be required daily. The Menhaden Harvester Permit has been introduced and will be required daily during the quota fisheries and weekly during the small scale fishery.
PUBLIC HEARING: January 27, 2020 at 4:00 p.m., Marquardt Building, Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Snow date: January 31, 2020, at 4:30 p.m., Marquardt Building, Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Hearing facilities: If you require accommodations due to disability, please contact Meredith Mendelson at (207) 624-6553.
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 10, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Amanda Ellis, DMR, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. Telephone: (207) 624-6573. Fax: (207) 624-6024. TTY: (207) 624-6500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). Email: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §6173
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: Same
DMR RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/.
DMR WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/.
DMR RULEMAKING LIAISON: Deirdre.Gilbert@Maine.gov.


AGENCY: 13-188 - Department of Marine Resources (DMR)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 36, Atlantic Herring
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2019-P288
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed regulation reorganizes the Atlantic herring fishery quota for Area 1A into trimesters, as previously used. Updated definitions for landing, and carrier vessel are enclosed. The Fixed Gear Set Aside has been reduced from 39 mt to 30 mt to comply with 2020 specifications.
PUBLIC HEARING: January 27, 2020, at 4:30 p.m., Marquardt Building, Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Snow date: January 31, 2020, at 4:00 p.m., Marquardt Building, Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Hearing facilities: If you require accommodations due to disability, please contact Meredith Mendelson at (207) 624-6553.
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 10, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Amanda Ellis, DMR, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. Telephone: (207) 624-6573. Fax: (207) 624-6024. TTY: (207) 624-6500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). Email: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §6171
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: Same
DMR RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/.
DMR WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/.
DMR RULEMAKING LIAISON: Deirdre.Gilbert@Maine.gov.


AGENCY: 13-188 - Department of Marine Resources (DMR)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 41, Atlantic Menhaden; 2020 Season
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2019-P289
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking amends the reporting of menhaden landings; reporting through an approved electronic option will be required. State and episodic fisheries remain at daily reporting. The Incidental and Small Scale fishery is amended to a weekly reporting requirement. This rulemaking introduces a personal use bait permit that will allow harvesters to use a bait gillnet to take three barrels of menhaden daily, separate from all other menhaden fishery activity. Carrier vessels are defined and effort restrictions for their activity have been described. Harvester vessels may make one transfer of menhaden to a carrier vessel per calendar day. Carrier vessels are prohibited from participating in the Incidental and Small Scale fishery.
PUBLIC HEARING: January 27, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., Marquardt Building, Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Snow date: January 31, 2020, at 3:30 p.m., Marquardt Building, Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Hearing facilities: If you require accommodations due to disability, please contact Meredith Mendelson at (207) 624-6553.
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 10, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Amanda Ellis, DMR, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. Telephone: (207) 624-6573. Fax: (207) 624-6024. TTY: (207) 624-6500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). Email: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §6171
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: Same
DMR RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/.
DMR WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/.
DMR RULEMAKING LIAISON: Deirdre.Gilbert@Maine.gov.


AGENCY: 13-188 - Department of Marine Resources (DMR)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 42, Striped Bass
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2019-P290
BRIEF SUMMARY: Currently, it is unlawful for any person to take or possess striped bass which are less than 28 inches in total length. This proposed rule modifies the existing regulatory requirement by adding a maximum size limit, such that it is also unlawful for any person to take or possess striped bass which are 35 inches in total length or longer. This rule change is needed to come into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Addendum VI to Amendment 6 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan, which is intended to address the overfishing status of the stock.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Augusta: 6:00 p.m., January 27, 2020, DMR Augusta Office, Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta, ME 04333
Yarmouth: 6:00 p.m., January 30, 2020, Yarmouth - Log Cabin, 196 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME 04096
Snow date scheduled for January 31, 2020 at 2:30 p.m., DMR Offices, Room 118 Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Land, Augusta, ME
Hearing facilities: If you require accommodations due to disability, please contact Meredith Mendelson at (207) 624-6553.
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 10, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Amanda Ellis, DMR, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. Telephone: (207) 624-6573. Fax: (207) 624-6024. TTY: (207) 624-6500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). Email: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §6171
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: Same
DMR RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/.
DMR WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/.
DMR RULEMAKING LIAISON: Deirdre.Gilbert@Maine.gov.


AGENCY: 13-188 - Department of Marine Resources (DMR)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 55, Gear Restrictions
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2019-P291
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking strikes the requirement to seek a permit authorized by the Commissioner of Marine Resources to use purse seine gear targeting Atlantic menhaden in the Damariscotta and Saint George Rivers.
PUBLIC HEARING: None scheduled
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 10, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Amanda Ellis, DMR, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. Telephone: (207) 624-6573. Fax: (207) 624-6024. TTY: (207) 624-6500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). Email: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §6171
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: Same
DMR RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/.
DMR WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/.
DMR RULEMAKING LIAISON: Deirdre.Gilbert@Maine.gov.


AGENCY: 12-180 - Department of Labor (DOL), Maine Labor Relations Board (MLRB)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 10, General Rules
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2019-P292
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Maine Labor Relations Board is proposing to amend ch. 10 of its rules to require electronic filing of documents with the Board, to facilitate electronic service of documents, to make changes regarding the procurement of official transcripts and to update and correct certain statutory references. Full text of the proposed rule changes are available on the MLRB website at: https://www.maine.gov/mlrb.
PUBLIC HEARING: January 29, 2020, 12:00 p.m., Room 334 (Legislative Council Chamber), State House, Augusta
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 12, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / RULEMAKING LIAISON: Henry D. Fouts, Board Counsel, Maine Labor Relations Board, 90 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0090. Telephone: (207) 287-2015. Email: Henry.Fouts@Maine.gov.
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any)
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 26 MRS §968(3)
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):
MLRB WEBSITE: https://www.maine.gov/mlrb.


AGENCY: 12-180 - Department of Labor (DOL), Maine Labor Relations Board (MLRB)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 11, Bargaining Unit Composition and Representation Matters
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2019-P293
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Maine Labor Relations Board is proposing to amend ch. 11 of its rules in order to implement Public Law 2019 ch. 135, which allows for a new process to designate a collective bargaining agent under the Municipal Public Employees Labor Relations Law. The changes would also eliminate the requirement to have a petition signed before a notary public and the Board’s obligation to post documents on a physical bulletin board. The proposed rule would also incorporate the electronic filing requirements proposed for ch. 10, provide an earlier deadline for employer submission of the list of employees eligible to vote in an election, improve the consistency of provisions regarding hearings, make changes regarding the procurement of official transcripts, correct erroneous internal references, update certain statutory references and make miscellaneous non-substantive changes.
Full text of the proposed rule changes are available on the MLRB website at: https://www.maine.gov/mlrb.
PUBLIC HEARING: January 29, 2020, 12:00 p.m., Room 334 (Legislative Council Chamber), State House, Augusta
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 12, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / RULEMAKING LIAISON: Henry D. Fouts, Board Counsel, Maine Labor Relations Board, 90 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0090. Telephone: (207) 287-2015. Email: Henry.Fouts@Maine.gov.
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any)
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 26 MRS §968(3)
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):
MLRB WEBSITE: https://www.maine.gov/mlrb.


AGENCY: 12-180 - Department of Labor (DOL), Maine Labor Relations Board (MLRB)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 12, Prohibited Practice Complaints; Interpretive Rulings
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2019-P294
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Maine Labor Relations Board is proposing to amend ch. 12 of its rules in order to streamline the prohibited practice complaint process by requiring a respondent to file any motion regarding sufficiency within the same 20-day period required for providing an answer to a complaint. The proposed rule would also provide clarity regarding the inclusion of attachments with prohibited practice complaints and when a party has the right to file an amended complaint. It would eliminate the requirement to have a petition signed before a notary public and the Board’s obligation to post documents on a physical bulletin board. The proposed rule would also incorporate the electronic filing requirements proposed for ch. 10, allow an email for proof of service, make changes regarding the procurement of official transcripts, update certain statutory references and make miscellaneous non-substantive changes. Full text of the proposed rule changes are available on the MLRB website at: https://www.maine.gov/mlrb.
PUBLIC HEARING: January 29, 2020, 12:00 p.m., Room 334 (Legislative Council Chamber), State House, Augusta
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 12, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / RULEMAKING LIAISON: Henry D. Fouts, Board Counsel, Maine Labor Relations Board, 90 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0090. Telephone: (207) 287-2015. Email: Henry.Fouts@Maine.gov.
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any)
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 26 MRS §968(3)
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):
MLRB WEBSITE: https://www.maine.gov/mlrb.


AGENCY: 12-180 - Department of Labor (DOL), Maine Labor Relations Board (MLRB)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 13, Resolution of Contract Negotiations Disputes
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2019-P295
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Maine Labor Relations Board is proposing to amend ch. 13 of its rules in order to streamline the provision of mediation services by designating an amount for the parties’ estimated share of costs and directing a requesting party to provide this payment. The proposed rule would also eliminate restrictions on employees or subcontractors of public management associations or public employee associations serving as private fact finders in order to broaden the pool of available fact finders. It also would make changes to incorporate the electronic filing requirements proposed for ch. 10 and make miscellaneous non-substantive changes. Full text of the proposed rule changes are available on the MLRB website at: https://www.maine.gov/mlrb.
PUBLIC HEARING: January 29, 2020, 12:00 p.m., Room 334 (Legislative Council Chamber), State House, Augusta
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 12, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / RULEMAKING LIAISON: Henry D. Fouts, Board Counsel, Maine Labor Relations Board, 90 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0090. Telephone: (207) 287-2015. Email: Henry.Fouts@Maine.gov.
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any)
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 26 MRS §968(3)
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):
MLRB WEBSITE: https://www.maine.gov/mlrb.


AGENCY: 13-188 - Department of Marine Resources (DMR)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 32, Elver Quota System for the 2020 Season
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2020-P001
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking establishes the elver quota allocations for the 2020 season for individuals licensed under §§ 6505-A and 6302-A, and the method of calculating individual elver quota allocations for individuals licensed under §6505-A. 2020 allocations for individuals who held a license in 2019 will be the same as their 2019 allocations, plus any quota associated with licenses not renewed in 2019, or licenses suspended for the duration of the 2020 season, in excess of that which is allocated to new license holders, which will be distributed evenly to all existing license holders. Finally, the proposed rule establishes a $500 fee for the inspection of elver export events by Maine Marine Patrol.
PUBLIC HEARING: 4:00 p.m. January 29, 2020 Room 118 DMR Offices, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME (Snow date 1:30 p.m. January 31, 2020, Room 118 DMR Offices, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME). Hearing facilities: If you require accommodations due to disability, please contact Meredith Mendelson at (207) 624-6553.
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 10, 2020
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Amanda Ellis, DMR, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. Telephone: (207) 624-6573. Fax: (207) 624-6024. TTY: (207) 624-6500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). Email: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §§ 6505-A, 6865
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: Same
DMR RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/.
DMR WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/.
DMR RULEMAKING LIAISON: Deirdre.Gilbert@Maine.gov.


AGENCY: 28-248 - Office of the State Treasurer
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 104, Certain Payments Not Immediate
TYPE OF RULE: Major Substantive
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2020-P002
BRIEF SUMMARY: The purpose of this rule is to establish procedures for a department or agency to accept payments using automated procedures, electronic processes and computer driven technology that are not immediately deposited into the State Treasury. Pursuant to 5 MRS §131, as enacted by HP 1212 – LD 1697, the Treasurer of State and the State Controller shall adopt rules.
PUBLIC HEARING: 31 January 2020, 10:30 a.m., 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, Maine, Conference Room 300
COMMENT DEADLINE: 10 February, 2020.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / RULEMAKING LIAISON: Matthew Colpitts, 39 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Telephone: (207) 624-7477. Email: Matthew.Colpitts@Maine.gov.
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 5 MRS §131
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: None
AGENCY WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/treasurer/.


ADOPTIONS


AGENCY: 02-041 – Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR), Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 10, Establishment of License Fees
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2019-270
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation is responsible for financial management of state licensing boards and programs it administers. After reviewing the financial status of each program, determinations were made to decrease certain license fees, eliminate some application fees, delete fee categories where appropriate and to establish license fees for license categories added by the Legislature in the 1st Session of the 129th Legislature. This fee rule is the result of comprehensive review of each program and its financial health.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 25, 2019
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON / RULEMAKING LIAISON: Anne L. Head, Commissioner, DPFR - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Telephone: (207) 624-8511. Email: Anne.L.Head@Maine.gov.
OPOR WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/index.shtml.
DPFR WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/pfr/.


AGENCY: 65-407 – Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 312 (New), Distributed Generation Procurement
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2019-271
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Public Utilities Commission adopts a new rule, ch. 312: Distributed Generation Procurement, that contains provisions governing the periodic procurement of distributed renewable resources. The Commission adopts this rulemaking as a result of recently enacted legislation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 29, 2019
MPUC CONTACT PERSON / RULEMAKING LIAISON: Jamie Waterbury, Public Utilities Commission, 18 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Telephone: (207) 287-1360. Email: Jamie.A.Waterbury@Maine.gov.
MPUC WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/.


AGENCY: 03-201 - Maine Department of Corrections (DOC)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 11, Policy and Procedures Manual – Adult and Juvenile: Subsection 2.12, Prisoner and Resident Accounts
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2020-001
CONCISE SUMMARY: This rule makes changes to the procedure governing prisoner savings accounts, lessening the percentage and limiting the source of prisoner funds taken to pay back monies disbursed from his or her savings account, and expanding the ability of a prisoner to opt out of the savings plan requirement based on age at time of earliest possible release.
Changes were made to other procedures for clarification purposes and to reflect current terminology and practices.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 7, 2020
DOC CONTACT PERSON / RULEMAKING LIAISON: Mary Lucia, Maine Department of Corrections, 111 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Telephone: (207) 287-4681. Email: Mary.A.Lucia@Maine.gov.
DOC WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/corrections/.


AGENCY: 02-297 - Board of Chiropractic Licensure
CHAPTER NUMBERS AND TITLES:
Ch. 3, Licensure Requirements for Chiropractic Doctors (Repeal)
Ch. 3-A, Licensure Requirements for Chiropractic Doctors and Temporary Chiropractic Interns (New)
Ch. 9, Fees (Repeal)
ADOPTED RULE NUMBERS: 2020-002, 003, 004
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Board of Chiropractic Licensure proposes to repeal ch. 3 and proposes a new ch. 3-A for licensing chiropractic doctors and temporary chiropractic interns. Sections 1 and 2 propose a new streamlined method for licensing chiropractic doctors and accepts fully the NBCE examination that an applicant by endorsement took at time of original licensure in the State of jurisdiction. Section 3 proposes requirements to implement the licensing of temporary chiropractic interns pursuant to 2019 Public Law ch. 37 that took effect on September 19, 2019.
Ch. 9, Fees, is an obsolete rule and is repealed as fees are set by the Director of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 7, 2020
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Geraldine L. Betts, Administrator, Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board of Chiropractic Licensure, 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Telephone: (207) 624-8625. Email: Geraldine.L.Betts@Maine.gov.
BOARD WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/chiropractors/index.html.


AGENCY: 65-407 – Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 440, Gas Utility Meter Performance, Accuracy, Testing, and Related Standards
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2020-005
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Public Utilities Commission adopts Ch. 440, Gas Utility Meter Performance, Accuracy, Testing and Related Standards. This rule establishes meter performance, accuracy and testing standards for gas utilities and establishes protocols for converting metered usage to Therms for the purpose of billing customers.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 11, 2020
MPUC CONTACT PERSON / RULEMAKING LIAISON: Jamie Waterbury, Maine Public Utilities Commission, 18 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Telephone: (207) 287-1360. Email: Jamie.A.Waterbury@Maine.gov.
MPUC WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/.


AGENCY: 94-457 - Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 619 (New), Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Revolving Loan Program
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2020-006
CONCISE SUMMARY: The rule implements the Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Revolving Loan Program enacted by the Legislature during the First Session of the 129th Maine Legislature as PL 2019 ch. 447. The program will provide interest-free loans up to $700 to eligible foreign-educated or foreign-trained, experienced immigrants who need assistance while awaiting federal employment authorization to pay the costs of certain actions and activities that will improve their work-readiness once they receive their work permits.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 12, 2020
FAME CONTACT PERSON: William Norbert, Esq., Finance Authority of Maine, 5 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04332. Telephone: (207) 623-3263. Email: WNorbert@FameMaine.com.
FAME WEBSITE: https://www.FameMaine.com/.
FAME RULEMAKING LIAISON: CRoney@FameMaine.com.


AGENCY: 13-188 - Department of Marine Resources (DMR)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 11, Scallops: 11.08, Targeted Scallop Conservation Closures: (9) Upper Narraguagus Bay
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2020-007 (Emergency)
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Commissioner adopts this emergency rulemaking to establish a scallop conservation closure in upper Narraguagus Bay in Zone 2. The Department is concerned that continued harvesting for the remainder of the 2019-2020 fishing season in these areas will reduce scallop broodstock further, as well as jeopardize sublegal scallop abundance that was observed in the 2019 Spring Scallop survey that is essential to the ongoing recruitment, regrowth and recovery of the scallop resource. An immediate conservation closure is necessary to reduce the risk of unusual damage and imminent depletion of the scallop resource in the upper Narraguagus Bay area.
For these reasons, the Commissioner hereby adopts an emergency closure of Maine’s scallop fishery in these areas as authorized by 12 MRS §6171(3)(A).
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 5, 2020
DMR CONTACT PERSON: Melissa Smith, Department of Marine Resources, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. Telephone: (207) 624-6558. Fax:(207) 624-6024. TTY: (888) 577-6690 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). Email: Melissa.Smith@Maine.gov.
DMR RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/.
DMR WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/.
DMR RULEMAKING LIAISON: Deirdre.Gilbert@Maine.gov.