Action 91 – MAINE Legislation 4/14 - 4/18
Background: Another busy week in Augusta – see table attached. It contains bills catering to the gun lobby, (LD’s 208, 1062, 1230); voting related bills (LD’s 1356, 1422, 1431, 1527); some environmental bills (LD’s 920, 1065, 1232, 1323, 1528, 1529); some energy and resource conservation bills (LD’s 826, 1014, 1167); as well as bills to curb predation on vulnerable people, and assist them in other ways (LD’s 507, 740, 1022, 1139, 1205, 1339, 1418, 1445, 1489, 1598). A new hazard for the unwary, “virtual currency kiosks”, obviously need regulation and oversight in Maine, as in other states! (LD’s 1205, 1339). And there is the usual spate of unnecessary bills that would fiddle with how the government works (1331, 1372, 1524).
There are three bills with nice-sounding titles that purport to protect senior homeowners, but they need further scrutiny. Seniors already get a tax break through the existing Property Tax Fairness Credit which can be filed with state income tax returns. One of these new bills (LD 1541) should clearly be opposed, as it provides 100% property tax relief with no means test. (Can you say “Billy Bob’s Bar Harbor Bonanza Bill”?) Remember, the State reimburses towns for some of the property taxes they don’t collect. According to our legislative analyst, “All the [proposed] changes do is bankrupt the state rather than the municipality and shift the burden” [to other taxpayers]. “Originally, it was an impossible program, completely fiscally irresponsible. With these changes it is still fiscally irresponsible just a little less so. Given the program was and is unnecessary, the issue is why pass any of these?” You can write your testimony to: Senator Nicole Grohoski, Representative Kristin Cloutier, and Members, Taxation Committee. Email to: TAX@legislature.maine.gov The three bills are:
Ø LD 1144 An Act to Reinstate Property Tax Stabilization – has already had a hearing, is in a work session but your comments are still welcome, as they are for all (or most) work sessions.
Ø LD 1481 An Act to Amend the Law Governing the Stabilization of Property Taxes on Homesteads of Individuals 65 or Older – has an income test and 20 year permanent resident requirement.
Ø LD 1541 An Act to Provide Property Tax Relief to Senior Residents – 100% tax exemption and no means test!
If you are so inclined, you can also dig into two other bills that have already had hearings:
Ø LD 1262 An Act to Improve Government Transparency and Accountability by Establishing a Process to Allow a Person to Require the State to Enforce Certain Laws and Rules. This bill would allow Maine citizens to petition the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt and enforce basic standards to protect our air and water, and to replace (if necessary) the protections that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided for Maine up to the current regime. It also provides that citizens can ask courts to act if the DEP does not, and gives DEP the ability to cover the cost of enforcement. The work session for this bill has not been scheduled yet. Follow it in the Judiciary Committee.
Ø LD 657 An Act to Modify the Law Governing Municipal General Assistance by Designating Broadband Internet Access Service and Wireless Access Point Technology as Basic Necessities. Who among us does not think decent internet is a basic necessity like telephone service? For example, telehealth is the future, whether we like it or not. Follow this bill in the Committee on Health and Human Services.
Remember, to submit testimony:
1. Look up the bill by number at https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/search_ps.asp.
2. Read the submittal instructions on the webpage https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/
Extra Credit:
Ø https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getTestimonyDoc.asp?id=10042429
Ø https://www.pressherald.com/2025/04/07/lawmakers-propose-competing-reforms-to-general-assistance/ (may have a paywall)
Ø https://www.lincolninst.edu/app/uploads/legacy-files/me_january_2022
