Action Item 209 PLUS an announcement
EXTRA ANNOUNCEMENT
UPDATE ON PROTEST, MONDAY, FEB. 9
12:00–3:00, Sagadahoc Bridge, Bath
to protest the presence of Pete Hegseth at Bath Iron Works
He will probably be discussing the “Trump Class” warships. Parking will be extremely difficult. “We will be gathering to peacefully protest, NOT against BIW, but against Hegseth and the administration's focus on spending our tax dollars on warfare instead of healthcare, lowering the cost of living, and supporting equal rights and the rule of law.” Sponsored by three nearby Indivisible groups and allied organizations.
(Now, on with Action 209)
Action 209: Maine Legislation 2/9-2/13. Many work sessions this week, fewer hearings.
(Only hearings are listed in these weekly updates.)
Lots of bills on policing being heard on Monday. LD 2157 criminalizes the flying of drones over prisons, and implies that drones have been used to deliver contraband. However, there is no exception for newsgathering. Should there be? LD 2073 adds 2 detectives to the Executive Protection Unit, which protects the Governor and family. If Maine stays blue after November, and the Trump thuggery continues, this could be important protection for the new Governor.
On Tuesday: three bills to improve housing (LD 2124, 2164 and 2173); two bills to improve access to vaccines (LD 2071 and 2146 – possibly their provisions could be combined?), a bill explicitly protecting habeas corpus rights (LD 2176), and Senator Grohoski’s bill to overhaul the tax appeal process (LD 2178).
Wednesday’s offerings include LD 2131, Senator Grohoski’s bill to improve access to nursing facilities in Maine, basically by providing additional funding for existing facilities. We need more nursing homes in Hancock County! Bipartisan cosponsors. Also some other health care bills including LD 2177 (to improve the Maine Care reimbursement system). Then there’s a pretty obvious environmental bill, LD 2070, to prohibit landfill expansion into wetlands. Duh. However, Maine’s solid waste situation is reaching a critical point. See for example https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/01/09/news/top-stories/judge-rejects-juniper-ridge-expansion-plan/ but https://www.pressherald.com/2024/10/02/maine-state-needs-to-expand-its-biggest-landfill/
On Thursday, a hearing on LD 2013 which would give the Commissioner of Marine Resources better tools to protect marine mammals in emergency situations. Also 5 bills to name certain bridges (not listed on the table below), 4 of them sponsored by Republican Senator Libby. One has to wonder, why does the Legislature have to spend time on this when there are major issues facing the state and nation, largely created by Senator Libby’s party?
§ Check complete bill listing here: https://legislature.maine.gov/Calendar/#PHWS. Set the date range in the upper left corner. This listing also shows work sessions if you want to weigh in on any of those.
§ Find the text of any bill here: https://legislature.maine.gov Or click through on the calendar, on the bill number, which is a link. Then read the pdf or the word version (link in upper left area). Form your own opinions!
§ Instructions for testifying are here: https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/
