At Work in Augusta

Rep. Jarrod Crockett Photo:

Rep. Jarrod Crockett

Rep. James Hamper Photo:

Rep. James Hamper

Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello Photo:

Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello

Sen. John Patrick Photo:

Sen. John Patrick

The following are bills that have been recently introduced to the state legislature by local senators and representatives (in parenthesis). 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.

Casino 100-mile

Four legislators have signed onto a bill from Senator Debra Plowman to clarify the method of calculation for allowable distances between casinos. If the bill passes, the distance between the Hollywood Slots Casino and the proposed Oxford Casino site would be measured in road miles, and would allow the casino development to move forward. If it fails, the state's Gambling Control Board would make a determination as to whether the proposed site is permissible. Representative Crockett of Bethel, Senator Patrick of Oxford, Representative Russell of Portland, and Representative Willett of Presque Isle have all signed onto the bill as co-sponsors.

Property tax

This bill, called “An Act To Clarify the Taxing of Property of Quasi-municipal Organizations,” would provide a property tax exemption for all property of public municipal or quasimunicipal corporations appropriated to public uses. (Rep. Crockett, Bethel)

Manufactured housing

This bill, called “An Act To Establish Continuing Education Requirements for Manufactured Housing Installers,”requires 10 hours of continuing education for manufactured housing installers licensed in Maine. The bill requires that courses approved by the state's board must be designed to maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills of licensees related to the installation of manufactured housing. (Rep. Hamper, Oxford)

 Self-insurers

This bill repeals the authorization of the Maine Self-Insurance Guarantee Association to serve as the statistical advisory organization for self-insurers. Self-insurers would no longer be required to collect and present data to the state superintendent. Insurers would still be required to collect and report data through a statistical advisory organization. The purpose of such data collection is so that the superintendent can analyze the insurance rates and claims practices of insurers. (Senator Snow-Mello, Androscoggin)

Recently-enacted bills:

Unemployment

On December 17, 2010, the United States Congress changed laws governing the federal-state unemployment extended benefits program. These changes continued the full federal funding of the extended benefits program through December 31, 2011 and additionally changed the formula for determining when the program "triggers on" to include a look back at the State's unemployment rate experience for the preceding 3 calendar years instead of the 2 years in current statute.

This bill temporarily changes Maine law to reflect the trigger calculation change. If this change is not made, Maine is projected to "trigger off" extended benefits in March 2011, and it is estimated that approximately 7,100 unemployed Maine workers will lose their benefits under this program.