Good morning from Augusta,
We have reached the point in the legislative session where everyone is going 100 mph, but very little is being accomplished. There are more than 300 bills left to be dispensed with before the April 17th statutory adjournment and only 11 legislative dates on the calendar for the two bodies to meet. Each day, the calendars (agendas) for the legislative bodies are getting longer, along with the sessions. This week, the House of Representatives worked through bills until 3pm in the afternoon. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them start to implement double sessions in the next week as nearly all Committees have finished meeting.
Wednesday of this week, the PLC testified in qualified support of LD 2279, An Act to Promote Equity in the Forest Products Industry by Allowing Commercial Wood Haulers to Be Eligible for Certain Sales Tax Exemptions and Refunds. This bill, sponsored by Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook), aims to include commercial wood hauler’s trucks, tractors, trailers, and semi-trailers in the sales tax exemption list. However, Senator Jackson wanted to tie the qualification of the tax benefit to unemployment benefits. This would not be beneficial to our members who are sole proprietors.
During the hearing there was a lot of confusion amongst the committee members. The Committee went into work session immediately following the hearing and they have directed the stakeholders to come up with a solution that is a bit easier to understand. We have reached out to Senator Jackson to work on a compromise that can be palatable for our members and that the committee can move forward with. It is also important to note, that there is a fine line to follow, and we don’t want to do anything to jeopardize what is already in place for sales tax exemptions for our membership. The work session for this bill is scheduled for Monday, April 1st.
LD 1985, An Act to Authorize Removal of Requirements of Forest Certification Systems from the State's Forest Management Plans was supposed to have a public hearing on Monday, but it has been held by the presiding officers for scheduling. We believe it will be moved to sometime this upcoming week but are at the mercy of the presiding officers in regard to scheduling. The PLC plans to testify in support of LD 1985.
This bill, sponsored by Senate President, Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook), would:
- Require the Attorney General’s office to investigate complaints or allegations of nonpayment of wood harvested and placed roadside within 30 days or the person’s fulfillment of the contract.
- Ensures records of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Forestry obtained during an investigation into a complaint or suspected violation are confidential and records become public upon conclusion of an investigation.
- Prohibits the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry from obtaining or maintaining certification from a voluntary, nonprofit and nonstock corporation organized under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act, including, but not limited to, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc.
The PLC is still closely monitoring bills that have passed out of committee but have yet to receive language reviews. You can find more information on legislation from our bill tracking spreadsheet here.
Last Week’s Legislative Activity March 25– March 29, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
LD 2279, An Act to Promote Equity in the Forest Products Industry by Allowing Commercial Wood Haulers to Be Eligible for Certain Sales Tax Exemptions and Refunds, Public Hearing – Taxation Committee
More information on the bill can be found above.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
LD 2279, An Act to Promote Equity in the Forest Products Industry by Allowing Commercial Wood Haulers to Be Eligible for Certain Sales Tax Exemptions and Refunds, Work Session– Taxation Committee
More information on the bill can be found above.
Next Week’s Legislative Activity April 1 – April 5, 2024
Monday, April 1, 2024
LD 2279, An Act to Promote Equity in the Forest Products Industry by Allowing Commercial Wood Haulers to Be Eligible for Certain Sales Tax Exemptions and Refunds, Work Session, 1pm– Taxation Committee
More information on the bill can be found above.
TBD
LD 1985, An Act to Authorize Removal of Requirements of Forest Certification Systems from the State's Forest Management Plans, (Support) Public Hearing – TBD – Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Committee
More information on the bill can be found above.
Bills the PLC is Following on the House and Senate Floor
LD 2212, An Act to Strengthen Maine's Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment, LD 2212 is sponsored by Speaker of the House, Rachel Talbot-Ross (D-Portland) and is one the initiatives that we are very supportive of this session. LD 2212 provides a $10 million appropriation to the Maine Agriculture, Food, and Forest Products Investment Fund and makes changes to who appoints members of the advisory board. The PLC recently testified in support of the bill as it could provide new opportunities for our members to get grants and low interest loans for their businesses for equipment and reinvestment. The bill passed the House on a 1st and 2nd vote unanimously under the hammer and is now moving to the Senate.
The PLC testified Neither for Nor Against this bill in 2023 and is monitoring it. The membership feels strongly that information must be provided by the OEM’s, but it should not be provided for free. The committee passed a majority report along party lines concentrating on home appliances and personal devices such as cell phones, tablets, computers, etc. The Republican members of the committee wanted the bill more simplified and opted to vote for a different amendment to only incorporate personal hand-held devices. Both reports have exempted off-road and heavy equipment from the bill. The bill has been tabled in the Senate and placed on the unfinished business calendar.
Rule-making and Regulatory Issues
Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) Authority
The PFML authority met for the first time about a week and a half ago and elected their committee chairs. Maria Fox is the Chair and Sam Hight is the Vice Chair of the Authority. The PFML Authority will meet next on May 7th. To get more information on Paid Family Medical Leave, follow the link below to the Authority’s website.
Authority Members:
- Benjamin K. Grant- Member with expertise in issues affecting labor and independent contractors. Organization: Maine Education Association
- David Barber-Employer with more than 50 employees. Organization: Barber Foods
- Samuel J. Hight-Member who is self-employed. Organization: Owns and operates multiple organizations including Hight Ford, Inc., Hight Chevrolet Farmington, and Hight Properties, LLC.
- Christopher J. Washburn-Expertise in issues related to paid family leave benefits and paid medical leave benefits. Organization: Delhaize America
- Michelle Corry-An employer in the hospitality industry. Organization: Five fifty-five
- Jay Naliboff, MD-Expertise in treating issues affecting maternity and postpartum care. Organization: Retired.
- Jenni Tilton-Flood-Expertise in agriculture, a seasonal workforce or a heritage industry. Organization: Flood Brothers Farm.
- Sarah Conroy-Expertise in issues affecting elder care. Organization: Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice.
- Ranae L’Italian-Expertise in childcare and early childhood development. Organization: Kennebec Valley YMCA.
- Maria Fox- Expertise in employment law representing employee interests. Organization: Murray, Plumb and Murray
The Authority’s next meetings are scheduled for:
Tuesday, May 7 from 9-11 a.m.
Tuesday, June 11 from 9-11 a.m.
The most up-to-date information on Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/labor/pfml/
Have a great weekend, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Best,
Dana