131ST MAINE LEGISLATURE
LEGISLATIVE NOTICES
Hearings on Governor and County Nominations
Legislative committees will hold public hearings as listed. 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 at http://legislature.maine.gov/calendar/#Calendar. Testimony may be emailed to lio@legislature.maine.gov, in person the day of the hearing or mailed to the committee's attention at: 100 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333-0100. To testify via the electronic platform or via a toll-free phone number, register online at https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/. Please register no later than 30 minutes prior to the posted start time of the meeting; registrations received after that time will be accepted at the discretion of the committee chairs. Committee meeting will be livestreamed at https://legislature.maine.gov/Audio/. Persons in need of accommodations should contact the Legislative Information Office as soon as possible at (207) 287-1692 or lio@legislature.maine.gov.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
Senator Henry Ingwersen, Senate Chair, Representative Bill Pluecker, House Chair
Public Hearing: Monday, September 9, 2024, 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 214
Nominees: Curtis Bohlen of Pownal; Justin Gray of Gray; Phillip D. Fanning of Bangor; Robert S. Carlton of Freeman Township to the Board of Pesticides Control
For the purpose of assuring to the public the benefits to be derived from the safe, scientific and proper use of chemical pesticides while safeguarding the public health, safety and welfare, and for the further purpose of protecting natural resources of the State, it is declared to be the policy of the State of Maine to regulate the sale and application of chemical insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and other chemical pesticides. The Board of Pesticides Control is established by Title 5, section 12004-D, subsection 3, within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The board consists of 7 members who serve 4-year terms. A more detailed description of the Board can be found at https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22ch258-Asec0.html
Nominees: Millard Billings of Franklin; Perry A. Ellsworth of Strong to the Maine Land Use Planning Commission
The commission, established by 5 MRSA § 12004-D, consists of 9 appointed public members. The commission has responsibility for preserving public health, safety and general welfare and extending the principles of sound planning, zoning and development to unorganized and deorganized townships of the State. Commission members must be familiar with the needs and issues affecting the commission's jurisdiction. Members serve 4-year terms and may not be state employees. A more detailed description of the commission can be found at http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/12/title12sec683.html
Nominees: Harry B. Center, II of Freeport; Patricia A. Varnum of Greene to the State Harness Racing Commission
The State Harness Racing Commission (8 MRSA §261-A) is comprised of 5 members who serve 3-year terms. The members must be appointed in such a manner as to provide broad geographic representation. The Commission is responsible for contracting for the services of qualified persons to serve as presiding and associate track judges as necessary to provide adequate policing and enforcement; for adopting rules for the holding, conducting and operating of all harness horse races or meets for public exhibition held in Maine, and for the operation of racetracks on which any such race or meet is held; and for contracting with or employing persons it deems necessary to carry out these responsibilities. A more detailed description of the Commission can be found at http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/8/title8sec261-A.html
CONTACT: Legislative Information Office, 287-1692
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Senator Joseph M. Baldacci, Senate Chair, Representative Michele Meyer, House Chair
Public Hearing: Monday, September 16, 2024, 10:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 209
Nominee: Sara Gagne-Holmes of Readfield as the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services
The Commissioner is responsible for the overall direction and supervision of the Department, which has broad statutory authority for the general supervision of the interests of health and life of all Maine citizens. The Department's specific duties include carrying out programs in health care maintenance, protective services for children and adults, assistance programs for the economically indigent, rehabilitation of the physically handicapped, and services for the elderly. A more detailed description can be found at http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/22-A/title22-Ach1sec0.html
CONTACT: Legislative Information Office, 287-1692