Good Morning from Augusta,
The Legislature is starting to hit its stride as bills and work sessions are being scheduled continuously. I expect activity will continue at this pace for the next two to three months. In addition to public hearings and work sessions for every bill, committees are also putting their stamp on the FY ’24-25’ budget as it works its way through the process. While the Mills Administration has signaled their support for a two thirds budget that has support from both parties, it appears that the Democrats are lining up to pass a majority budget by the end of March that won’t require support from Republicans. This happened in 2021 and all signs show that it will likely happen again. So much for bi-partisanship.
On Tuesday of this past week, members of the Labor and Housing Committee were briefed by Senator Mattie Daughtry and Representative Kristen Cloutier on the work of the Commission to Develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefit Program. This commission was established by the Maine Legislature in 2021 to review options for creating a paid family and medical leave program. The work of this commission will likely be turned into a bill later in the session and could have a $400 million price tag.
The language for the bill has not yet been released, but the full presentation is available here, and an abbreviated two-pager is available here. Senator Daughtry and Representative Cloutier are still considering some final details such as the level of benefit to be received (80% or 90%, tied to 120% of the state average weekly wage) as well as the breakdown between employees and employers (25%/75% or 50%/50%). As of now, the two legislators have stated that such a program would only be mandated by employers with more than 25 employees. We will watch this closely and chime in when it is time to do so.
As you will see below, things are really beginning to heat up for the session with committees in full swing. I would like to bring your attention two bills that will have a public hearing in 10 days:
LD 993, An Act to Facilitate Stakeholder Input Regarding Forest Policy in Maine and LD 511, An Act to Clarify That Haulers Are Under the Jurisdiction of the Logging Dispute Resolution Board. The PLC strongly opposes both bills.
LD 993, sponsored by Rep. Maggie O’Neil (D-Saco) is a repeat from 2021 when it was vetoed by the Governor. It is essentially a bill that Senator Troy Jackson is attempting to use to have the Legislature in control of forest policy in the state.
LD 511 is an expansion of the legislated unionization bill that Senator Jackson pushed through last year and became law without the Governor’s signature. Governor Mills vowed not to allow the Resolution Board to move forward, but it appears that she has reneged on her word and nominations will be made soon to allow this Board to move forward. This new legislation would allow trucking contractors to bring their issues before the Board. The PLC stood strong last year and we will do it again this year that no one wants this Resolution Board nor its further attempt to legislate unionization of this industry.
Next weekend, we will send out talking points and instructions on how to submit testimony and/or attend the public hearing.
Other Activity
1190 of the expected 2,000 bills have now progressed on the path to legislation, transitioning from an LR# (Legislative Reference - bill request) to an LD# (Legislative Document - bill reviewed and approved by the Revisor's Office) and have been referred to committees of jurisdiction by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
I have updated our bill tracking spreadsheet so you can see the bills and the related language.
Last Week’s Legislative Activity March 6 – March 10, 2023
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Work Session, Transportation Committee, LD 522, An Act to Require That Motor Vehicles Be Clear of Snow When Operated on Public Ways This bill, sponsored by Rep. Bruce White (D-Waterville) attempted to prohibit a person from operating on a public way a vehicle with a load of unsecured snow or a vehicle that has naturally accumulated snow on top of the vehicle, except that, with regard to snow that has accumulated naturally, a driver may not be cited during a snowstorm and the 48-hour period after the snowstorm that took place in the area. This bill is similar to previous attempts to do the same thing. The PLC testified in opposition.
Fortunately, after listening to the trucking industry, Maine Motor Transport Association and the PLC, the sponsor decided to amend the bill and exempt all commercial vehicles 10,000 lbs. or more. The text of the amended bill can be found here. The committee voted 13-0 Ought to Pass in favor of the amended bill.
Next Week’s Legislative Activity March 13 – March 17, 2023
Monday, March 13, 2023
Work Session, Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, 10:30 am LD 180, An Act to Allow a Person to File a Paper Copy of a Timber Harvest Notification Two weeks ago, the ACF Committee reconsidered their actions on this bill as a result of the bill sponsor realizing that he had been duped by those testifying Neither For Nor Against (Maine Forest Service, Maine Woodland Owners, Maine Forest Products Council). As a reminder, the Committee voted unanimously ONTP on this bill and effectively killed it. However, after a discussion with the bill Sponsor, Russell Black to educate him on the issue and what the bill actually does, he realized that he had been duped and needed to right the wrong.
After voting to reconsider the bill, Republicans on the Committee spoke up and were adamant that a paper copy must be provided for anyone who requests it and wanted a letter from the Committee mandating MFS to do this. A copy of the letter will be provided before disposing of the bill.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Public Hearing, Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, 1 pm LD 43, An Act to Reduce the Cost of Electricity by Removing the 100-megawatt Limit on Renewable Resources of Energy and LD 622, An Act to Create Equal Opportunity Access to Clean Energy by Removing the 100-megawatt Limit on Clean Energy Sources; Both of these bills remove the 100-megawatt maximum capacity limit for a source of electrical generation to qualify as a renewable resource for purposes of meeting the State's renewable resource portfolio requirement. These two bills are similar to numerous attempts over the last decade to provide opportunities for large hydro dams to be built in the state of Maine. These attempts will harm biomass energy and the PLC will testify in opposition.
Public Hearing, Labor and Housing Committee, 1 pm, LD 827, An Act to Allow Employees to Request Flexible Work Schedules, This bill, sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder (D-Bangor), provides that an employee of a public or private employer may request a flexible work schedule for up to 6 months at a time and that the employer may not discipline an employee who requests a flexible work schedule. The bill provides that the flexible work schedule continues in 6-month increments unless the employer provides written notice to the employee.
Public Hearing, Transportation Committee, 1 pm, LD 607, Resolve, To Direct The Department Of Transportation To Examine The Feasibility Of Extending Interstate 95 To The St. John Valley. Sponsored by Representative Robert Albert, LD 607 would direct the Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of extending Interstate 95 to the St. John Valley and make a report of its findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no later than December 6, 2023. The PLC will testify in support of this legislation.
Public Hearing, Transportation Committee, 1 pm LD 652, An Act To Allow The Reinstatement Of Certain Commercial Driver's Licenses. Sponsored by Senator Troy Jackson, LD 652 would allow that a person whose commercial driver's license (CDL) has been permanently suspended due to a 2nd or subsequent failure to submit to a drug or alcohol test may after 10 years petition the Secretary of State for a review and reinstatement of that license for good cause shown. The PLC will testify in support of this bill to help with the driver shortage issue.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Work Session, Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, 2 pm LD 570, Resolve, to Provide Information to Maine's School Administrators and Maine Communities About the Financial Advantages of Modern Wood Heating This resolve, sponsored by Senator Trey Stewart (R-Presque Isle), directs the Commissioner of Education to notify school administrators, school boards and communities in the State of the Efficiency Maine Trust's Thermal Energy Investment Program and the opportunity to stabilize and reduce annual school heating costs when replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system or planning the heating system for a new school building. Senator Stewart had similar legislation passed in 2019 which directed schools to consider wood heat. This resolved ensures information on financing is made available. The PLC testified in support.
Work Session, Transportation Committee, 10 am, LD 607, Resolve, To Direct The Department Of Transportation To Examine The Feasibility Of Extending Interstate 95 To The St. John Valley.
Work Session, Transportation Committee, 10 am LD 652, An Act To Allow The Reinstatement Of Certain Commercial Driver's Licenses.
Contact Your Representative or Senator
Don’t know who your Representative or Senator is? A complete roster, sortable by town, is available here: House Members Senators
In your message, clearly state the bill(s) you support and why each one is important to Loggers in Maine.
Introduce yourself and/or company.
- Identify the town you live in or where your business is located. If you work in multiple towns, please identify those towns (we need to show that harvesting occurs across the state);
- # employees (gross pay roll figure would be good);
- # of subcontractors your business supports (e.g. how much you spend for repairs, fuel, how many logging crews you keep busy, etc.),
- Volume of wood you move annually;
Conclude your message by thanking the Representatives for their service to the state and asking them to support these bills.
Have a great weekend and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Best,
Dana