Maine Legislative Update
February 2023
State News: The 131st Maine Legislature is continuing at a slow pace, primarily due to new leadership and a number of snowstorms last month. Of the 2,123 legislative requests that were submitted by the December 30th cloture date, 856 have been printed as legislative documents. Earlier this month, the final report from the Commission to […]
Maine Energy Efficiency Law Clarification
As of January 1, 2023, Maine’s law regarding appliances and product efficiency standards was changed. As of January 1, any products in certain categories offered for sale in Maine that were manufactured after January 1, 2023, have to meet increased efficiency standards as set forth in the law. There has been some confusion over how this law impacts […]
Maine Legislative Update
January 2023
State News: The 131st Maine Legislature is off to a slow start largely due to new leadership on the House side, and a series of snow storms which have cancelled legislative session and committee meetings. Of the four caucuses, only one has the same leadership team as last session. Senate President Troy Jackson (Aroostook), Senate […]
Maine Legislative Update
May 2022
In February 2021, during the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature, Representative Ann Matlack (D-St. George) introduced LD 1129, An Act Relating to the Valuation of Retail Sales Facilities. As originally drafted, the bill, nicknamed “the dark stores bill,” provided that in establishing the just value of retail sales facilities, consideration must be given […]
Maine Legislative Update
April 2022
On Tuesday, April 19th, the 130th Maine Legislature enacted a supplemental budget. The governor signed the supplemental budget into law the next day. The Supplemental Budget will: • Return more than half of the surplus—a total of $729 million—to around 858,000 Maine taxpayers in the form of $850 checks—a total of $729 million in direct […]
Maine Legislative Update
March 2022
In 2021, during the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature, Representative Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) sponsored LD 607, An Act To Restore Overtime Protections for Maine Workers. As originally drafted, the bill would have annually raised the minimum salary that an employee who works in an executive, administrative, or professional capacity must earn in […]
Maine Legislative Update
February 2022
On February 10th, Governor Janet Mills addressed a joint session of the Legislature in the first in-person State of the State address since 2020. In her address, the governor laid out several of the following priorities and investments that are in her supplemental budget proposal. On February 15th, the supplemental budget proposal was released. Largely […]
Maine Legislative Update
January 2022
In February 2021, during the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature, Representative Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) introduced LD 607, An Act To Restore Overtime Protections for Maine Workers. As originally drafted, the bill would annually raise the minimum salary that an employee who works in an executive, administrative, or professional capacity must earn in […]
Maine Legislative Update
August 2021
On August 12th, the U.S. Census Bureau released the redistricting data that Maine and other states will need to redraw congressional and legislative districts. Under the Maine Constitution, the Apportionment Commission must finalize proposed district boundaries by June 1st based on the latest estimates from the federal government. The Legislature must then adopt the Commission’s […]
Maine Legislative Update
June 2021
On Monday, May 17th, Senate President Jackson’s bill, LD 1711, An Act to Enhance Enforcement of Employment Laws, was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Labor and Housing. LD 1711 provides the right of a whistleblower alleging a violation of certain labor laws to bring a private enforcement action on behalf […]