|
The latest edition of our Impact newsletter is now available!
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Weekly edition of IMPACT, a publication of the Maine State Chamber | March 18, 2022
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LD 2018 seeks to add environmental justice into regulatory decisions at Public Utilities Commission and Maine Department of Environmental Protection
This week, the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) committee had a public hearing and work session on LD 2018, An Act To Implement Recommendations Regarding the Incorporation of Equity Considerations in Regulatory Decision Making. This was a committee bill following a piece of legislation passed last year, which convened a stakeholder group to discuss this issue further. The Maine State Chamber did testify on this legislation stating our concerns regarding the impact this could have on the permitting process in Maine. We took a “neither for nor against” position as we intend to engage in the rulemaking process for this legislation to ensure our concerns can be addressed.
Taxation committee works provisions in the Governor’s Supplemental Budget
On Thursday, March 17, the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation held a work session on LD 1995, An Act to Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and to Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Sponsored by Rep. Teresa Pierce (D-Falmouth), LD 1995 is the Governor’s supplemental budget bill for fiscal years 2022-2023. Throughout the past several weeks, the Appropriations committee has held public hearings on the different provisions in the supplemental budget. This week and next, each committee is supposed to report back to the Appropriations committee with its recommendations. The Taxation committee held several votes on many of the provisions.
Public Hearings and Work Sessions of Interest
With the end of session (typically mid-April) quickly approaching, public hearings and work sessions are winding down. For the most part, committees appear to be almost done reviewing assigned legislation. Our focus will now shift to the floor debates in the House and Senate for the remainder of the legislative session.
Digest of New Legislation of Interest
Maine State Chamber staff has studied each of these recently printed bills to assess potential impact on business trends. If you have concerns regarding any bill, please communicate those concerns to our advocacy department by calling (207) 623-4568.
A total of 111 business-related bills have been tracked to date since the session began on January 5, 2022! View them here.
Concerning broadband legislation moves past energy committee
Last week, the Energy, Utilities and Technology (EUT) committee voted “ought to pass as amended” on LD 1894, Act To Support Municipal Broadband Infrastructure through Incentives and Competition. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce testified in opposition to the bill at its public hearing in early February. Last week during the work session, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Eloise Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc) released an amendment to LD 1894, which became the committee’s majority report with nine members supporting the amendment, and three opposing.
Taxation committee votes out estate tax bill
The Joint Standing Committee on Taxation voted along party lines – with Democrats supporting and Republicans opposing – the “ought to pass as amended” report on LD 1704, An Act to Change the Exclusion Amount Under the Estate Tax and Provide Additional Funding for the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund. Sponsored by Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland), LD 1704 is a carryover bill. The Maine State Chamber testified in opposition to the bill last session. Among other things, the bill as originally drafted would have lowered the exclusion amount under the estate tax from $5.7 million to $1 million, making more of Mainers’ estates taxable.
Environment committee makes improvements to problematic legislation
Earlier this week, the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) committee had a public hearing and work session on LD 259, An Act To Increase Waste Handling Fees Imposed on the Landfilling of Municipal Solid Waste and Construction and Demolition Debris. This bill was carried over as a concept draft, which was amended by Rep. Ralph Tucker (D-Brunswick) in advance of the public hearing. LD 259 proposes to increase the disposal fee at a landfill of municipal solid waste and municipal solid waste ash from $1 per ton to $5 per ton and to increase the landfill disposal fee imposed on construction and demolition debris (CDD) and residue from the processing of CDD from $2 per ton to $10 per ton.
“Dark Stores” bill passes House
Maine State Chamber opposes bill
The Maine House of Representatives voted 77 to 55 “ought-to-pass as amended” on LD 1129, An Act Relating to the Valuation of Improved Real Property, sponsored by Rep. Ann Matlack (D-St. George). The Maine State Chamber testified in opposition to LD 1129 at the public hearing. Please contact their legislators and ask them to vote no on LD 1129. We have prepared talking points for you here.
Maine State Chamber, Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance, and Science is US release policy guidelines to boost STEM education and workforce
This week, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance (MMSA), and Science is US released a set of policy recommendations to help bolster the state’s STEM education and workforce and to encourage policymakers to reprioritize science and engineering. The policies complement and support the Maine Economic Development Strategy and its focus on talent and innovation as a pathway to the state’s economic development and growth. The full policy guidelines can be found here.
High School Nursing Pathway Partnership established among Eastern Maine Community College, United Technologies Center, Hancock County Technical Center, and Bridge Academy Maine
Maine policymakers and business leaders release report detailing need to invest in child care teachers
A new research report from Council for a Strong America demonstrates the importance of supporting a highly qualified child care workforce for Maine’s economy
On March 10, Maine business leaders joined state policymakers to release an impactful new report from Council for a Strong America highlighting the need for investments in child care providers to stabilize Maine’s workforce and support economic development. The report, entitled “Child Care Providers: The Workforce Behind the Workforce in Maine,” lays out the dire need for expanded access to high-quality child care in Maine, and how lawmakers can help child care providers attract and retain highly qualified staff by increasing wages.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
