The Maine Polis

UPDATE: Designed to replace Maine’s Archery Only Deer Season with a combined Archery & Crossbow Deer Season, LD 27 easily passed the legislature, but not without adding a 3 year sunset rule & name change reflecting the inclusion of turkey season.…

UPDATE #2 Move to Elect President With National Popular Vote Fails in Maine House

Even though a majority of the Veterans and Legal Affairs committee voted against LD 816, it’s future was still unclear with both Committee Chairs, Sen. Louis Luchini (D-Hancock) & Rep. John Schneck (D-Bangor) supporting the minority opinion and the Senate voting to approve on May 14^th.  But, after 14 days on the House Floor, , Rep. Schnieck (D-Bangor) called for a vote and the measure failed 76-66. A total of 9 votes were not cast, 6 abstained, 2 were excused and 1 is vacant…

Despite a third work session held May 22nd, the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology was still unable to agree on an emergency bill requiring CMP’s New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) receive voter approval from each municipality it intends to cross.…

UPDATE 2: After receiving significant negative feedback to changing the current state flag, the Committee on State & Local Government voted 8 to 4 in favor of supporting a heavily amended LD 687. The amendment does away with re-instating Maine’s original state flag and instead tasks the Secretary of State’s office to develop a commemorative bicentennial flag for 2020.

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The Committee on State and Local Government recently heard testimony on LD 1209, which requires public hearings for any citizen-initiated legislation (referendums) going to ballot. Current rules allow for legislative public hearings, but only if the legislature chooses to hold such hearings.…

Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) established, among other things, a 10 year timetable for having 10% of Maine’s electricity coming from new renewable sources by 2017. LD 1494, An Act to Reform Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, looks to establish a new timetable for reaching 50% by 2030 as well changing several other RPS guidelines.…

The Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs has scheduled public hearings this Wednesday for 6 different Rank-Choice Voting (RCV) bills…

UPDATE: At least 100 people submitted testimony in early March to the Committee On Veterans And Legal Affair’s hearing for LD 816.  Sen. Peter Jackson (D-Aroostook), whom sponsored the bill (co-sponsors), argued that because so many people feel left out of the political process, it’s important that every American’s vote should count equally.…

Rep. Jeff Hanley (R- Pittston) sponsored LD 1027 (co-sponsors) and testified before The Energy Utilities and Technology Committee that the rules were set up to promote growth of renewables and that growth has been achieved. Therefore, and because it’s a renewable energy, we should now allow large-scale hydro-electric facilities to qualify for the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.…

JUNE 10th, 2019 UPDATE HERE

Two of the bills assigned to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, LD 27, An Act To Allow the Use of Crossbows during the Archery Season on Deer and LD 996 An Act To Establish a Special Handgun Hunting Season That Coincides with the Muzzle-loading Open Season could result in significant changes in how Maine’s deer population is managed.…

The Committee on State & Local Government held a public hearing Monday (3/11) for LD 144 – An Act To Opt Out of Federal Daylight Saving Time and To Ask the United States Secretary of Transportation To Place Maine in the Atlantic Time Zone.

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UPDATE: Despite initial support for LD 687, the Committee on State & Local Government voted 7-3 during the schedule work session yesterday opposing the flag change and a divided report is expected for the legislature.

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The Committee on Transportation has voted ought not to pass LD 656, An Act to Increase the Penalty for Passing a School Bus With Red Lights Flashing. The committee has yet to issue an official decision regarding LD 546, An act that increases the penalty for passing a stopped emergency vehicles with emergency lights on.…

There are disagreements between members of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee regarding LD 514 and a Divided Report is expected for the legislature.…

Both LD 418 & LD 816 were near identical bills.  The Veterans & Legal Affairs Committee voted to not pass LD 418.  But they disagreed on LD 816 and a divided report is expected for the legislature.

–TMP…