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Weekly edition of IMPACT, a publication of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce | February 3, 2022

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ADVOCACY ALERT!   Encourage your legislators to oppose LD 607’s majority report on the higher overtime payment salary threshold   On Wednesday, January 19, the Joint Standing Committee on Labor & Housing voted 8-5, along party lines, to report out LD 607, An Act To Restore Overtime Protections for Maine Workers, with an amendment that significantly increases the overtime payment salary threshold from the current level of 3,000 times the minimum wage to the new rate of 4,500 times the minimum wage (3,500 times in 2023; 4,000 times in 2024; 4,500 times in 2025). We have prepared these talking points to help you discuss LD 607 with your legislators...

State and Local Government committee unanimously votes “ought not to pass” on LD 383   On Monday, January 31, the State and Local Government committee voted unanimously “ought not to pass” on LD 383, An Act Concerning Small Wireless Facilities in Maine. The Maine State Chamber testified in opposition to this legislation, as it would have undone several changes to laws around small wireless facilities that passed in 2019. The changes that passed in 2019 were unanimously approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Janet Mills. The changes created a more streamlined and consistent permitting process, which has resulted in millions of dollars of investment into Maine and has created thousands of jobs. This change has allowed Mainers to have better connectivity as 5G wireless has been more accessible. Read more...

Public Hearings of Interest   New Legislation of Interest Public hearings are open to everyone, despite the Statehouse’s continued “restricted access” status. Currently, Maine State Chamber members should plan to watch and listen to legislative committees by using one of the Legislature’s YouTube channels. The Legislature also released these guides for participation in public hearings and work sessions, and you will need to register to submit testimony if you plan to testify on a particular bill. Also, this public hearing schedule is subject to changes and updates; we advise that you check the committee’s calendar or contact the committee clerk. Each committee name listed below is linked to the corresponding committee page.   Each week, Maine Chamber staff studies each of the recently printed bills to assess potential impact on business trends. We are sharing those bills of concern with you here.   If you have concerns regarding any bill, please communicate those concerns to a member of our advocacy team by calling (207) 623-4568.     A total of 104 business-related bills have been tracked to date since the session began on January 5, 2022! View the list of Public Hearings for February 7 through February 18...   View the updated list of legislation we are watching for you...

IDEA committee holds public hearing to establish the Maine Space Corporation   This week, the Legislature’s Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement, and Business (IDEA) committee held a public hearing on LD 1923, An Act To Establish the Maine Space Corporation. This bill was introduced by Sen. Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland) and had a list of bipartisan cosponsors. This bill establishes the Maine Space Corporation to leverage the state's geographic, rocketry, manufacturing, and higher education assets and capabilities to establish the state as a national and international industry destination and an authority in launching small launch vehicles and small satellites into polar orbit. Read more...

Environment and Natural Resources committee moves LD 1429 forward   On Monday, the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) committee moved forward with LD 1429, An Act To Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2045. The ENR committee voted 10-3 “ought to pass as amended,” sending it forward to the full Legislature. LD 1429 was carried over from the first session; however, the original draft of LD 1429 was completely different in language and in title – “An Act To Implement the Most Time-Sensitive Recommendations of the Maine Climate Council.” Read more...

Join us for our next episode at noon on Tuesday, February 8, 2022      Tune in for our next episode at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 10, 2022                   Watch The Maine Take streaming online every Tuesday at noon while the Maine State Legislature is in session. On our next episode - Tuesday, February 8 - host Dana Connors welcomes back Mainebiz Editor Peter Van Allen, and the Chamber’s Advocacy Team for an update on bills they are tracking as the current legislative session is underway. For more information about The Maine Take, including sponsorship opportunities, please click "Learn more" below, or email Jen Webber at jwebber@mainechamber.org.   The Bottom Line podcast airs on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. To listen live or to the archived recordings, please visit The Bottom Line page on the Maine State Chamber’s website or on iTunes, iHeart Radio, Soundcloud, Stitcher Radio, Spotify and radio.com.   For more information about The Bottom Line, please contact Melanie Baillargeon by emailing melanieb@mainechamber.org. Learn more...      Learn more...

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