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 19, 2019, 1:30 PM, Cross Building, Room 214
LD 1016 "Resolve, To Require the Construction of a New District Headquarters Building for the Bureau of Forestry in Fort Kent"
LD 1049 "An Act Regarding the Sale of Dogs with Health Problems"
LD 1103 "An Act To Increase the Number of Members of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine" 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 18th through March 21st 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 Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement & Business; Judiciary; Taxation; Marine Resources; Inland Fisheries & Wildlife; and Environment & Natural Resources. 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 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 third 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 18th 10:00 AM (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement & Business) Centers for Innovation; Development Foundation, Maine; Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education; Economic and Community Development, Department of: All programs in this except Office of Broadband Development; Language Parts: "PP", RR-2" (Note: RR-1 was heard in a separate hearing block); Finance Authority of Maine: Educational Opportunity Tax Credit Marketing Fund, FHM-Dental Education, FHM Health Education Centers, Small Enterprise Growth Fund, Student Financial Assistance Programs; Maine Rural Development Authority; Professional and Financial Regulation, Department of: Administrative Services, Engineers-State Board of Licensure, Licensing and Enforcement, Manufactured Housing Board; Language Part: "XXX" Note: Department and Agency testimony will be taken first - it could take most, if not all, of the morning.
Tuesday March 19th 1:00 PM: (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary) All programs in the following departments and agencies: Attorney General, Department of; Language Part: "LL"; Human Rights Commission, Maine; Indian Tribal-State Commission, Maine; Indigent Legal Services, Commission on; Judicial Department; Language Part: "NNN"; Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
Wednesday March 20th 10:00 AM: In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation) Administration, Tax Expenditures and Miscellaneous Programs Administrative and Financial Services, Department of: Bureau of Revenue Services Fund, Maine Board of Tax Appeals, Revenue Services-Bureau of, Unorganized Territory Education and Services Fund-Finance, County Tax Reimbursement, Language Parts: "I", "J", "K", "O" Revenue Sharing, Property Taxes & BETE Property Tax Review Board-State Board of, Administrative and Financial Services, Department of: Elderly Tax Deferral Program, Homestead Property Tax Exemption Reimbursement, Mandate-BETE-Reimburse Municipalities, Snow Grooming Property Tax Exemption Reimbursement, Tree Growth Tax Reimbursement, Veterans Tax Reimbursement, Veteran's Organizations Tax Reimbursement; Waste Facility Tax Reimbursement; Language Part: "G"; Treasurer of the State, Office of: Disproportionate Tax Burden Fund, State-Municipal Revenue Sharing; Passamaquoddy Sales Tax Fund; Language Part: "H" Note: Department and Agency testimony will be taken first - it could take most, if not all, of the morning.
Thursday March 21st 1:00 PM (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources) Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative; Marine Resources, Department of :All programs under this department.
Thursday March 21st 2:00 PM Start Time May Be Delayed (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Department of: All programs under this department.
Thursday March 21st 3:30 PM Start Time May Be Delayed (In conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources) Administrative and Financial Services, Department of : Solid Waste Management Fund; Environmental Protection, Department of: All programs under this department; Finance Authority of Maine: Waste Motor Oil Disposal Site Remediation Program; New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission; Saco River Corridor Commission; St. Croix International Waterway Commission.
Public Hearing: Monday, March 18, 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 19, 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 20, 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 21, 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) 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: Friday, March 22, 2019, 9:00 AM, State House, Room 436
LD 637 "An Act Regarding Motor Vehicle Operation and Drug Use"
LD 974 "An Act To Amend the Penalties for Engaging in Prostitution"
LD 1014 "An Act To Attract and Retain Firefighters"
LD 1023 "An Act Regarding the Definition of "Serious Bodily Injury" in the Maine Criminal Code"
Public Hearing: Friday, March 22, 2019, 1:00 PM, State House, Room 436
LD 828 "An Act Concerning the Release of the Name of a Deceased Individual"
LD 871 "An Act To Establish the Crime of Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Transferring Illegal Drugs through Breast Milk" 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 20, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 208
LD 626 "An Act To Provide Funding for the Naval Museum and Gardens in Brunswick"
LD 711 "Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Study and Recommend a Minimum Age for Participation in Tackle Football" (EMERGENCY)
LD 736 "An Act To Protect Students during Elections Held at Their Schools"
LD 858 "Resolve, Directing the Department of Education To Study and Make Recommendations for the Establishment of a Maine School Safety Center"
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 21, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 208
LD 345 "An Act To Help New Teachers Succeed"
LD 664 "An Act To Organize Biannual County Meetings for Local School Boards"
LD 727 "An Act Concerning Funding of Alternative Organizational Structures"
LD 729 "An Act Regarding the Probationary Period for Teachers"
LD 979 "An Act To Provide Consistent Data Regarding Education Funding" 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: Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 1:30 PM, Cross Building, Room 211
LD 614 "An Act To Provide Purchase Rebates for Battery Electric Vehicles"
LD 1027 "An Act To Eliminate the 100-megawatt Limit on Hydroelectric Generators under the Renewable Resources Laws"
LD 1048 "An Act To Encourage Conservation in Determining Natural Gas Rates"
LD 1060 "An Act To Authorize Consumers Located Adjacent to Electric Power Generators To Obtain Power Directly" 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 20, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 216
LD 274 "An Act To Allow the Sale of Ethanol-free Gasoline Statewide"
LD 822 "An Act To Prohibit the Sale of Motor Fuel Containing More than 10% Ethanol"
LD 1080 "Resolve, Regarding Biofuel in Number 2 Heating Oil" (EMERGENCY) CONTACT: Caleb Roebuck, 287-4149
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Sen. Geoff Gratwick, Senate Chair, Rep. Patty Hymanson, House Chair
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 209
LD 493 "An Act To Provide Lung Cancer Counseling and Screening for MaineCare Recipients"
LD 500 "An Act To Extend the Limitation on Prescribing Opioids for Certain Individuals with Chronic Pain"
LD 511 "An Act To Create an Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Coordinator Position within the Department of Health and Human Services"
LD 692 "Resolve, To Address Reimbursement Rates for Licensed Clinical Social Workers under MaineCare"
LD 935 "An Act To Increase the Viability of Assisted Living Facilities by Increasing the Rate of Reimbursement"
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 1:30 PM, Cross Building, Room 209
LD 115 "An Act To Appropriate Funds for Home Visiting Services To Provide Child Development Education and Skills Development for New Parents"
LD 646 "An Act To Improve Trust with Regard to Home Visitation by the Department of Health and Human Services by Requiring That Certain Visits Be Videotaped"
LD 761 "An Act To Clarify and Affirm Medicaid Eligibility for Incarcerated Individuals"
LD 915 "An Act To Provide Adequate Reimbursement under MaineCare for Ambulance and Neonatal Transport Services"
LD 982 "Resolve, To Expand the Use of the Women, Infants and Children Special Supplemental Food Program at Farmers' Markets" CONTACT: Rowland Robinson, 287-1317
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Sen. Heather Sanborn, Senate Chair, Rep. Denise Tepler, House Chair
Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 220
LD 1047 "An Act To Prohibit Consideration of Naloxone Purchases in Life Insurance Underwriting"
LD 1089 "An Act To Ban Discretionary Clauses in Life and Health Insurance Policies"
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 21, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 220
LD 849 "An Act To Allow Chiropractic Internships"
LD 884 "An Act To Repeal the Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice"
LD 943 "An Act To Allow Laser Spine Surgery in the State"
LD 1072 "An Act To Promote Workforce Education on Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia"
LD 1082 "An Act To Provide for Alternative Pain Treatment before Treatment with Opioids"
LD 1105 "An Act To Allow Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists To Administer an Auricular Acupuncture Treatment for Addiction" 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 18, 2019, 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 206
LD 1109 "An Act Regarding the Size and Weight of All-terrain Vehicles, the Operation of Motor Vehicles on Designated All-terrain Vehicle Trails and the Operation of All-terrain Vehicles on Trails Posted with Size or Weight Limits" 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 19, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 202
LD 897 "An Act To Restore Funding for the Capital Riverfront Improvement District"
LD 909 "Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development To Establish a Blockchain Technology Working Group" CONTACT: Tim Grose, 287-4880
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Sen. Michael Carpenter, Senate Chair, Rep. Donna Bailey, House Chair
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 21, 2019, 2:00 PM, State House, Room 438
LD 574 "An Act To Clarify That Petitions for Certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States Are Included within the Definition of Indigent Legal Services"
LD 848 "An Act Concerning Disclosure Requirements for Transfers of Properties Accessed by Means Other Than a Public Way"
LD 894 "An Act To Expressly Allow Nonprofit Corporations To Conduct Electronic Voting"
LD 1100 "An Act To Allow Discovery in the Event of a Lawsuit against a State Agency" CONTACT: Susan Pinette, 287-1327
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND HOUSING
Sen. Shenna Bellows, Senate Chair, Rep. Mike Sylvester, House Chair
Public Hearing: Monday, March 18, 2019, 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 202
LD 425 "An Act To Strengthen Small Businesses in Rural Maine by Changing the Minimum Wage"
LD 612 "An Act To Promote Youth Employment"
LD 670 "An Act To Increase the Minimum Wage for Large Employers"
LD 739 "An Act To Help Small Businesses by Establishing an Alternate Minimum Wage"
LD 808 "An Act To Create a Youth Wage"
LD 830 "An Act To Balance Maine's Minimum Wage for Small and Large Employers"
LD 1098 "An Act To Help Small Employers by Making the Minimum Wage Increase More Gradual in Nonurban Areas" 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 18, 2019, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 214
LD 453 "An Act To Ensure the Integrity and Accountability of Persons Who Are Elected to Public Office"
LD 806 "An Act To Clarify the Definition of "Ancient Burying Ground""
LD 1054 "An Act To Clarify the Use of Burying Grounds and Family Burying Grounds"
LD 1065 "An Act To Expand Health Insurance Coverage To Certain State Employees"
LD 1066 "An Act To Address Municipal Conflicts of Interest"
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 214
LD 1086 "An Act To Promote the Goals of the Low-emission Vehicle Program by Requiring That New Vehicle Purchases for the State Fleet Be Composed of a Minimum Percentage of Zero-emission Vehicles"
LD 1102 "An Act To Remove a Reference to Constables in the Law Governing Execution of Process" CONTACT: Dylan Sinclair, 287-1330
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON TAXATION
Sen. Ben Chipman, Senate Chair, Rep. Ryan Tipping, House Chair
Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 1:00 PM, State House, Room 127
LD 118 "An Act To Direct Vehicle Excise Tax Revenue for Local Transportation Infrastructure"
LD 119 "An Act To Base the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax on the Sale Price"
LD 863 "An Act To Exempt Diapering Products from Sales Tax"
LD 1031 "An Act To Base the Vehicle and Mobile Home Excise Tax on Actual Value"
LD 1074 "An Act To Establish a Tax on Water Extracted for Bottling in Order To Secure the Economic Future of Rural Maine" CONTACT: Dianne Dubord, 287-1552
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Sen. Bill Diamond, Senate Chair, Rep. Andrew McLean, House Chair
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 21, 2019, 1:00 PM, State House, Room 126
LD 478 "An Act To Allow All-terrain Vehicles To Be Used on a Public Way"
LD 826 "An Act Regarding Motor Vehicle Registration Plate Numbers"
LD 917 "An Act Increasing Municipal Agent Fees for Motor Vehicle, All-terrain Vehicle, Snowmobile and Watercraft Registrations"
LD 1044 "An Act To Advance Children's Cancer Research in Maine"
LD 1084 "An Act Regarding the Operation of Pedal-powered Tour Vehicles" 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 18, 2019, 10:00 AM, State House, Room 437
LD 1020 "An Act to Modify the Number of Retail Liquor Licenses Allowed in Certain Municipalities"
LD 1068 "An Act To Increase the Number of Agency Liquor Stores Permitted in Municipalities with 10,000 to 20,000 Residents"
LD 1078 "An Act Regarding the Number of Agency Liquor Store Licenses Permitted in a Municipality"
Public Hearing: Monday, March 18, 2019, 10:30 AM, State House, Room 437
LD 631 "An Act To Fund the Operations of the Tick Identification Laboratory in the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory"
LD 1026 "An Act To Require Election Transparency"
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 9:00 AM, State House, Room 437
LD 1083 "An Act To Implement Ranked-choice Voting for Presidential Primary and General Elections in Maine" CONTACT: Karen Montell, 287-1310