Join Us in Augusta: On Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at 8 a.m., RLDAM will host a table in the Hall of Flags at the State House for its annual Lobby Day in conjunction with the Associated General Contractors. Register to attend and help shape the future of our industry!
The First Regular Session of the 132nd Maine State Legislature convened on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at 10 a.m.
The Legislature’s Joint Rules Committee voted to advance a proposal requiring the sponsor of a concept draft to submit actual bill language at least three days before a public hearing. An updated version must be posted publicly at least two days before a public hearing. If these new requirements are not met, the committee will kill the bill.
Governor Mills released her budget proposal on Jan. 24. It includes a tax on paint beginning July 1, 2026, to support the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund. Part RR of the budget proposal states that the fee must be imposed at the manufacturer or wholesaler level at 75 cents per gallon of paint estimated to have been sold in the state during the prior year, as determined by rule adopted by the department.
The budget also proposes an amendment to the law governing the Workers’ Compensation Board Administrative Fund. Part YYY removes current statutory language that places a specific dollar cap on the maximum value of assessments levied from insured employers and replaces it with language stating that assessments may not produce more revenue than is necessary for the Workers’ Compensation Board to fund legislative expenditures and maintain a reserve of up to one-quarter of the board’s annual budget. This part retains language from current law requiring that any funds collected above the maximum assessment that exceed a 10% margin be used to reduce the assessments paid by insured employers.
The Appropriations Committee will begin its public hearings on the budget on Feb. 3.