129TH MAINE LEGISLATURE
LEGISLATIVE HEARING NOTICES
Hearings on LDs
Legislative committees will hold public hearings as listed. Please note that there may be additions or changes to this schedule and bills will not necessarily be heard in the order listed. For further information, contact the Legislative Information Office at 207-287-1692 or check schedules on the web at http://legislature.maine.gov/calendar/#Calendar. You may testify at the public hearing or submit written testimony. Written testimony should be sent to the appropriate committee at: 100 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333-0100. Persons with special needs who wish to attend a Legislative hearing and require accommodations should notify the Legislative Information Office as soon as possible: 207-287-1692, TTY 207-287-6826, FAX 207-287-1580, webmaster_lio@legislature.maine.gov.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
Sen. Jim Dill, Senate Chair, Rep. Craig Hickman, House Chair
Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 214
LD 515 "An Act To Require Ingredient Lists at Certain Retail Food Locations"
LD 920 "An Act To Establish the Fund To Support Local Fruits and Vegetables Purchasing"
LD 971 "An Act To Encourage the Purchase and Sale of Locally Grown and Raised Crops and Products"
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 214
LD 939 "An Act Regarding the Regulation of Rabbit Production for Local Consumption"
LD 992 "Resolve, To Extend the Down East Sunrise Trail from Ayers Junction to Calais" CONTACT: Dylan Sinclair, 287-1312
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Sen. Catherine Breen, Senate Chair and Rep. Drew Gattine, House Chair
Public Hearings: March 11th through March 15th 2019 in Room 228 State House. Portions of the Biennial Budget LD 1001 "An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds, and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021" under the jurisdiction of the Committees on Education and Cultural Affairs; Labor and Housing; Veterans and Legal Affairs; and Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The proposed budget initiatives may be viewed at https://legislature.maine.gov/ros/9635. 2020-2021 Part A - Governor's Biennial Budget contains baseline funding for all Departments and their associated programs (each in alphabetical order except for the Medical Use Marijuana Fund program under Administrative and Financial Services which is shown first in that department) with program initiatives changing baseline appropriations and allocations. 2020-2021 Part B - Governor's Biennial Budget (which is not part of the public hearings) contains approved reclassifications and range changes. 2020-2021 Language contains the proposed language. The following is the schedule of the second week of public hearings by policy committee, date and department or agency and, in some cases, program. Details can be found at: http://legislature.maine.gov/ofpr/129th-afa-committee-information/9599 (click on "Detailed Biennial Budget Hearing Schedules" under Schedules/Agendas).
Monday March 11th 10:00 AM (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs) Charter School Commission; Education, State Board of; Education, Department of: All programs in this department; Language Parts: "C", "SS", "TT", "UU", "VV" Note: Department and Agency testimony will be taken first - it could take most, if not all, of the morning.
Tuesday March 12th 1:00 PM: (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs) All programs in the following departments and agencies: Cultural Affairs Council; Arts Commission; Historic Preservation Commission; Historical Society, Maine; Humanities Council, Maine; Library, Maine State; Museum, Maine State; Public Broadcasting Corporation, Maine; Community College System Board of Trustees; Maritime Academy, Maine; University of Maine, Board of Trustees: Casco Bay Estuary Project, Debt Service-University of Maine System, Educational and General Activities-UMS, Maine Economic Improvement Fund, University of Maine Scholarship Fund.
Wednesday March 13th 10:00 AM: In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing) Housing Authority, Maine State: All programs under this agency; Language Part: "RR -1" (Note: RR-2 will be heard in a separate hearing block); Public Safety, Department of: Division of Building Codes and Standards; Language Part "OO"
Wednesday March 13th 1:00 PM (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing) Labor, Department of: All programs under this department; Language Parts: "OOO", "PPP", "RRR", "SSS", "TTT", "UUU", "VVV", "WWW; Retirement System, Maine Public Employees: Retirement System - Retirement Allowance Fund; University of Maine System, Board of Trustees of: New Ventures Maine; Workers' Compensation Board: All programs under this department.
Thursday March 14th 1:00 PM (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs) Administrative and Financial Services, Department of: Alcoholic Beverages-General Operations, Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety Fund, Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund, Lottery Operations; Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Department of: Administration-Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Loring Rebuild Facility, Maine National Guard postsecondary Fund, Military Educational Benefits, Military Training & Operations, Veterans Services, Veterans Temporary Assistance Fund; Ethics and Election Practices, Commission on Governmental; Public Safety, Department of: Gambling Control Board; Secretary of State, Department of: Elections and Commissions; Language Part: "ZZZ"
Friday March 15th 10:00 AM (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry) Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Department of: All programs under this department; Language Parts: "T", "U", "V", "Y", "Z", "AA", "BB", "CC", "DD", "EE", "FF", "GG", "HH". "II", "JJ", "KK"; Baxter State Park Authority; Blueberry Commission; Finance Authority of Maine: Dairy Improvement Fund; Harness Racing Promotional Board; Potato Board, Maine; University of Maine System, Board of Trustees: UM Cooperative Extension-Pesticide Education, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Note: Department and Agency testimony will be taken first - it could take most, if not all, of the morning
Sen. Cathy Breen, Senate Chair, Rep. Drew Gattine, House Chair
Public Hearing: Monday, March 11, 2019, 10:00 AM, State House, Room 228
LD 1001 "An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds, and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021" (EMERGENCY)
Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 1:00 PM, State House, Room 228
LD 1001 "An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds, and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021" (EMERGENCY)
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 10:00 AM, State House, Room 228
LD 1001 "An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds, and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021" (EMERGENCY)
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 1:00 PM, State House, Room 228
LD 1001 "An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds, and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021" (EMERGENCY)
Public Hearing: Friday, March 15, 2019, 10:00 AM, State House, Room 228
LD 1001 "An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds, and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021" (EMERGENCY) CONTACT: Marianne MacMaster, 287-1635
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Sen. Susan Deschambault, Senate Chair, Rep. Charlotte Warren, House Chair
Public Hearing: Monday, March 11, 2019, 10:00 AM, State House, Room 436
LD 485 "An Act To Require an Owner of a Dangerous Dog To Remain at the Scene of an Assault by the Dog"
LD 677 "An Act Regarding the Use of Seizure and Forfeitures by Law Enforcement"
LD 762 "An Act To Bring Maine's Laws Concerning Implied Consent in Operating a Motor Vehicle into Compliance with Recent Opinions of the United States Supreme Court"
Public Hearing: Monday, March 11, 2019, 1:00 PM, State House, Room 436
LD 829 "Resolve, To Reestablish the Commission To Improve the Sentencing, Supervision, Management and Incarceration of Prisoners" (EMERGENCY)
LD 913 "An Act To Protect the Public from Clergy Sexual Abuse"
LD 925 "An Act Requiring the Department of Corrections To Fully Fund County Jails for Individuals Sentenced to County Jails for More Than 6 Months and Individuals Held for Probation or Parole Violations"
LD 926 "An Act To Protect Hospital Employees from Assault" CONTACT: Cynthia Fortier, 287-1122
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Sen. Rebecca Millett, Senate Chair, Rep. Victoria Kornfield, House Chair
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 208
LD 798 "An Act To Protect Maine Children and Students from Preventable Diseases by Repealing Certain Exemptions from the Laws Governing Immunization Requirements"
LD 987 "An Act To Provide Autonomy for Health Care Providers To Practice Patient-centered Care by Amending the Laws Governing Medical Exemptions to Immunization Requirements" CONTACT: Jayne Deneen, 287-3125
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENERGY UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
Sen. Mark Lawrence, Senate Chair, Rep. Seth Berry, House Chair
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 211
LD 334 "An Act To Change the Definition of "Renewable Capacity Resource""
LD 754 "An Act To Ensure the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Trust Fund Continues To Promote Energy Efficiency and Benefit Maine Ratepayers"
LD 918 "An Act Regarding Utility Line Extensions"
LD 950 "An Act To Develop a State Energy Plan To Provide a Pathway to an Energy Portfolio Free of Fossil Fuels"
LD 980 "An Act To Amend Provisions of the Maine Energy Cost Reduction Act Regarding Assessments on Ratepayers"
LD 1003 "An Act To Ensure Accurate Explanations of Electric Bills" CONTACT: Abben Maguire, 287-4143
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Sen. Brownie Carson, Senate Chair, Rep. Ralph Tucker, House Chair
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 10:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 216
LD 797 "An Act To Limit Greenhouse Gas Pollution and Effectively Use Maine's Natural Resources"
LD 818 "An Act To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions" (EMERGENCY)
LD 893 "An Act To Create an Updated Unified Maine Climate Action Plan"
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 216
LD 817 "An Act To Advance the Restoration of the Penobscot River"
LD 959 "An Act To Increase Funding for the Maine Lakes Society "LakeSmart" Program and the Lake Stewards of Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program"
LD 983 "An Act To Exempt from Permit Requirements the Repair of Low-head Dams"
Public Hearing: Friday, March 15, 2019, 10:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 216
LD 640 "Resolve, To Require a Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions from the Proposed Central Maine Power Company Transmission Corridor" (EMERGENCY) CONTACT: Caleb Roebuck, 287-4149
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Sen. Heather Sanborn, Senate Chair, Rep. Denise Tepler, House Chair
Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 220
LD 842 "An Act Relating to Insurance Companies and Totaled Motor Vehicles"
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 220
LD 249 "An Act To Ensure Protection of Patients in Medical Reviews by Health Insurance Carriers"
LD 705 "An Act Regarding the Process for Obtaining Prior Authorization for Health Insurance Purposes"
LD 942 "An Act To Require Reimbursement for Medical Marijuana"
LD 1009 "An Act To Provide Protections for Maine Patients Facing Step Therapy" CONTACT: Veronica Snow, 287-1314
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE
Sen. Jim Dill, Senate Chair, Rep. Catherine Nadeau, House Chair
Public Hearing: Monday, March 11, 2019, 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 206
LD 924 "An Act To Remove the Background Check Requirement for Maine Guides Who Are at Least 70 Years of Age and Hold a Lifetime Hunting or Fishing License"
LD 927 "An Act To Minimize the Propagation of Invasive Aquatic Plants" (EMERGENCY)
LD 932 "An Act Regarding Moose Permit Subpermittees"
LD 967 "An Act To Reduce the Spread of Invasive Aquatic Plants by Prohibiting Seine Fishing in Great Ponds"
LD 996 "An Act To Establish a Special Handgun Hunting Season That Coincides with the Muzzle-loading Open Season on Deer" CONTACT: Linda Lacroix, 287-1338
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON INNOVATION, DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT AND BUSINESS
Sen. Erin Herbig, Senate Chair, Rep. Matthea Larsen-Daughtry, House Chair
Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 202
LD 742 "Resolve, To Examine How To Retain Reservation Booking Commissions in the State"
LD 771 "An Act Regarding the Cancellation of Subscription Services"
LD 862 "An Act To Limit the Amount of Money That May Be Retained on Construction Contracts" CONTACT: Tim Grose, 287-4880
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND HOUSING
Sen. Shenna Bellows, Senate Chair, Rep. Mike Sylvester, House Chair
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 6, 2019, 10:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 202
LD 947 "An Act To Extend the Notice of Injury Period in the Maine Workers' Compensation Act of 1992"
Public Hearing: Monday, March 11, 2019, 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 202
LD 402 "An Act To Restore Overtime Protections for Maine Workers"
LD 857 "An Act To Increase Accountability for Wage Violations"
LD 886 "An Act To Protect Volunteer Search and Rescuers Certified by the Maine Association for Search and Rescue from Adverse Employment Actions"
LD 888 "An Act To Provide Workplace Support to Individuals with Hearing Loss"
LD 919 "An Act To Establish a Minimum Mileage Reimbursement Rate for Traveling Sales Representatives"
LD 1008 "An Act To Include State Employee Stipends as Earnable Compensation"
Public Hearing: Monday, March 11, 2019, 2:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 202
LD 1013 "An Act To Clarify the Disqualification from Unemployment Benefits of a Person Who Is Terminated from Employment for Being Under the Influence of Marijuana" CONTACT: Safiya Khalid, 287-1331
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Sen. Ned Claxton, Senate Chair, Rep. Danny Martin, House Chair
Public Hearing: Monday, March 11, 2019, 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 214
LD 144 "An Act To Opt Out of Federal Daylight Saving Time and To Ask the United States Secretary of Transportation To Place the State in the Atlantic Time Zone"
LD 885 "An Act Regarding Daylight Saving Time in Maine"
LD 928 "An Act To Create a Process To Preempt the Implementation of Powers Delegated by the Legislature"
LD 940 "An Act To Increase the Number of Franklin County Commissioners"
LD 948 "An Act To Restrict Ordinances That Affect the Posting of Property for Municipal and Private Land"
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 214
LD 730 "An Act To Create the Substance Use Disorders Cabinet"
LD 953 "An Act To Enact a Vehicle Use Ordinance for Monhegan Plantation"
LD 970 "An Act To Encourage Policies Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units under Local Comprehensive Plans and Zoning Requirements"
LD 1004 "An Act To Reduce Costs and Emissions by Increasing Telecommuting at State Agencies"
LD 1011 "An Act To Clarify Filing Requirements for Proposed Rules" CONTACT: Dylan Sinclair, 287-1330
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON TAXATION
Sen. Ben Chipman, Senate Chair, Rep. Ryan Tipping, House Chair
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 1:00 PM, State House, Room 127
LD 107 "An Act To Lower the Maine Individual Income Tax Incrementally to Zero"
LD 725 "An Act To Provide an Income Tax Credit To Encourage Small Business Hiring"
LD 903 "An Act To Improve Corporate Tax Fairness by Amending the Rates Imposed on Corporate Income"
LD 905 "An Act To Exempt Long-term Capital Gains from Income Tax for Certain Income Levels"
LD 963 "An Act To Exempt Overtime Pay from Individual Income Tax"
LD 977 "An Act To Restore the Super Credit for Substantially Increased Research and Development" CONTACT: Dianne Dubord, 287-1552
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Sen. Bill Diamond, Senate Chair, Rep. Andrew McLean, House Chair
Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 1:00 PM, State House, Room 126
LD 198 "An Act To Require That Nonmotorized Carriages Be Equipped with Reflectors and Lights"
LD 436 "Resolve, Directing the Secretary of State To Review Standards for Vision Tests"
LD 491 "An Act To Regulate the Brightness of Headlights"
LD 526 "An Act To Require Horse-drawn Carriages and Wagons To Be Equipped with Reflectors"
LD 704 "An Act To Clarify the Laws Regarding Driver's License Suspensions"
LD 823 "An Act To Exempt Vehicles That Are More Than 15 Years Old from Titling Requirements"
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 1:00 PM, State House, Room 126
LD 487 "Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Study the Corner of Smithwheel Road and Ocean Park Road and the Intersection of Saco Avenue, Temple Street and Old Orchard Road in Old Orchard Beach"
LD 668 "Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Convene a Work Group To Study Improving Traffic Safety for Color-blind Drivers"
LD 707 "An Act To Require the Clearing of Vegetation along Roads"
LD 740 "An Act To Include Bucksport and the Penobscot River Basin in the Department of Transportation's Cargo Port Strategy"
LD 783 "Resolve, To Require an Independent Analysis of the Department of Transportation's I-395/Route 9 Connector Project" (EMERGENCY)
LD 850 "Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Erect Signs on Interstate 95 in Island Falls" CONTACT: Darlene Simoneau, 287-4148
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS
Sen. Louis Luchini, Senate Chair, Rep. John Schneck, House Chair
Public Hearing: Monday, March 11, 2019, 10:00 AM, State House, Room 437
LD 186 "RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Specify the Qualifications of Electors"
LD 929 "An Act Regarding the Use of Maine Clean Election Act Funds for Salaries"
LD 1015 "An Act To Support Maine Craft Distillers" CONTACT: Karen Montell, 287-1310