At work in Augusta

The following are bills that have been recently introduced to the state legislature by local senators and representatives. None have yet been voted into law; most have been assigned to committees for consideration and the scheduling of public hearings. To learn more about these bills, or to express an opinion, citizens are encouraged to contact their elected representatives or the state legislature.

Environmental laws

This bill establishes a five-year statute of limitations for violations of environmental laws, which would impact enforcement by the Department of Environmental Protection or the Attorney General.  (Senator Snowe-Mello, Androscoggin.)

Privatizing services

This would identify the types of state services that could be provided more effectively by privately contracted services. It would explore the best practices of other states and the actions that would be necessary to achieve similar benefits in Maine. (Representative Winsor, Norway.)

Reduced pesticide notification

This would change the notification criteria regarding the application of pesticides by aircraft from 1,320 feet to 100 feet. It also changes the distance requiring notification when pesticides are sprayed into the crowns of fruit trees or Christmas trees from 500 feet to 50 feet. (Representative Timberlake, Turner.)

Senior hunting bill

This bill allows hunters over 70 years of age to receive a special antlerless deer permit.  (Representative Timberlake, Turner.)

Reduced shoreland buffer

This bill reduces the width of land that is subject to shoreland zoning and land use controls from 250 feet to 75 feet. Municipal ordinances in effect on January 1 2011 would not be impacted.  ( Senator Snowe-Mello, Androscoggin.)

Milfoil emergency to close Songo River lock

This bill directs the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to close the lock on the Songo River in Naples to prevent the upstream spread of aquatic invasive plant species.  (Representative Waterhouse, Bridgton.)

Red Iron Bridge repair

This resolve directs the Department of Transportation to repair and maintain the Red Iron Bridge, which crosses the Saco River in Fryeburg.  ( Senator Hastings, Oxford.)

Insurance companies

This bill repeals requirements that insurers must provide annual notice to indemnitors of the existence of an indemnity agreement.  (Senator Snowe-Mello, Androscoggin.)

Union laws

This bill amends labor laws to ensure that each public sector union represents only those public employees who voluntarily are members of that union.  (Representative Winsor, Norway.)

Tenant rights

Senator Hastings (R-Oxford) has introduced two bills that support the rights of those engaging in joint tenancy.

State armories get priority

This bill requires state departments and agencies that hold meetings outside of their normal locations to give priority to state armories as meeting space. (Representative Crockett, Bethel.)