Here’s what’s happening in the legislature this week that’s of interest to Maine farmers:
MONDAY, MARCH 4TH
(Hearings today may be impacted by the weather)
State and Local Government
Cross Building, Room 214, 9:00 am
Public Hearing
LD 687, HP 508 An Act To Restore the Former State of Maine Flag – Cooper
OPPOSE
This bill would change the state flag to the flag used prior to 1909 (see below), removing the state seal. As this change would remove the farmer resting on his scythe, a strong symbol of the importance of agriculture and natural resources to the identity of Maine, MFB members voted to oppose.
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Cross Building, Room 206, 12:00 pm
Public Hearing
LD 891, SP 257 An Act To Preserve Maine’s Heritage by Expanding Maine Youth Hunting – Keim
SUPPORT
This bill would increase the number of days for youth hunting. MFB voted to support this important effort to protect and support the growth of Maine’s hunting heritage.
Labor and Housing
Cross Building, Room 202, 12:00 pm
Public Hearing
LD 312, HP 236 An Act To Reduce the Cost of Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Small Employers – Handy
MONITOR
This bill prohibits a workers’ compensation insurer from charging a minimum premium in connection with its issuance of a workers’ compensation policy. MFB will monitor to ensure that this bill will not have any additional cost to farmers.
Veterans and Legal Affairs
State House, Room 437, 12:30 pm
Public Hearing
LD 255, SP 67 Resolution, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Require That Signatures on a Direct Initiative of Legislation Come from Each Congressional District – Farrin
SUPPORT
MFB policy 142 supports legislation that requires signatures for referendum questions to come from each Congressional District.
LD 374, HP 283 RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Require That Signatures on a Direct Initiative of Legislation Come from Each State Senatorial District – Stewart
SUPPORT
MFB voted to support this resolution, as it would ensure better representation, especially for rural areas, on referendum questions.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 5TH
Agriculture Conservation and Forestry
Cross Building, Room 214, 1:00 pm
Public Hearing
LD 889, SP 255 An Act To Require the Labeling of Foods Made with Nanotechnology -Chipman
MONITOR
This bill requires that a label be placed on any food or food product offered for sale in the State made with the use of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the branch of technology concerned with the control of matter with dimensions of less than 100 nanometers, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. MFB will monitor the bill to better understand the intention of the bill and any repercussions for agricultural producers.
LD 908, HP 672 An Act To Require Schools To Submit Pest Management Activity Logs and Inspection Results to the Board of Pesticides Control for the Purpose of Providing Information to the Public – Larsen-Daughtry
OPPOSE
MFB voted to oppose this bill, as it presents many concerns. While we support the proper and safe use of pesticides on public and private property, members raised concerns that creating a public record that could easily be misinterpreted by non-professionals could quickly re-introduce the issues that arose during the era of excessive notification laws. Instead of neighbors and concerned residents having an open dialogue with school officials, a blanket public record invites criticism and dissention. We want all pesticide users to be in dialogue with anyone who raises concerns. Record keeping is already required of pesticide users, so there is no need for changes to the current law. Furthermore, the Board of Pesticides Control would make a rule, if they found it was necessary for the health and safety of the public.
WORK SESSION
LD 24, HP 25 Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 26: Producer Margins, a Major Substantive Rule of the Maine Milk Commission
SUPPORT
MFB staff and many members provided testimony at the public hearing. We are hopeful the Committee will vote to pass in favor of the proposed increase for the TIER program.
LD 292, HP 216 An Act To Feed Maine’s Residents by Allowing Dairy Dealers and Producers in the State To Donate Fresh Milk to Food Banks in the State – Millett
MONITOR
MFB monitored the testimony of this bill, which had a public hearing on February 12th. The good intentions of the bill were recognized, but concerns were raised that under current law, the donation of fresh milk would violate Maine’s minimum pricing laws, and changing the law might make the Maine Milk Commission’s minimum pricing laws illegal. The court challenges to the minimum pricing laws have never been successful, but if a “special class” for donations were to be created through this legislation, the entire minimum pricing law could be in jeopardy. Further concerns were raised that the “excess” milk processors wants to donate would then be taken out of the nutrient management cycle, as it would no longer be used in manure pits. Additional concerns were raised regarding the impact of milk on the dealer margin study, which would impact the price of milk set by the commission and the bills limitation of only fluid milk for donation.
Many alternatives to the proposed change in law were suggested, including the option for processors to make a donation to a food pantry designated specifically for the purchase of milk, the allocation of funds by the state government to food banks for the purchase of milk and the utilization of the Great American Milk Drive funds.
LD 351, HP 277 An Act To Ensure Accuracy in the Labeling of Maine Meat and Poultry – Pluecker
MFB provided testimony in support of this effort to ensure that meat that is labeled as “Maine” is from livestock or poultry born and raised in Maine.
Some opposition to the bill included concerns regarding lack of access to livestock born in Maine by processors and lack of processing available to producers.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6TH
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Cross Building, Room 206, 9:00 am
Work Session
LD 617, HP 445 An Act To Increase to 3 the Number of Youth Deer Hunting Days – Hutchins
Veterans and Legal Affairs
State House, Room 437, 9:15 am
Public Hearing
LD 715, HP 520 An Act To Change the Allocation Formula for Revenue from Slot Machines
OPPOSE
This bill would eliminate the funding provided to Maine harness racing through taxes on slot machines, which was a critical component in the establishment of the initial law.
Taxation
State House, Room 127, 10:00 am
Work Session
LD 824, HP 598 An Act To Allow a Municipality To Opt Out of Collecting Personal Property and Business Equipment Taxes – Theriault
SUPPORT
MFB provided testimony in support of this bill, which would provide a necessary fix to the law to allow municipalities to choose not to collect personal property tax, which many municipalities already do not collect.
Taxation
State House, Room 127, 1:00 pm
Public Hearing
LD 420, HP 329 An Act To Amend the Maine Exclusion Amount in the Estate Tax – Collings
OPPOSE
This bill returns the exclusion amount, below which the Maine estate tax does not apply, to $2,000,000 from $5,600,000 for estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2020 and removes the annual adjustment for inflation of that exclusion amount.
MFB is concerned that the proposed changes in this bill would be prohibitive for generational transition of farms.
LD 518, HP 375 An Act To Change the Exclusion Amount under the Estate Tax – Brooks
OPPOSE
This bill reduces the exclusion amount, below which the Maine estate tax does not apply, to $1,000,000 from $5,600,000 for estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2020 and removes the annual adjustment for inflation of that exclusion amount.
MFB is concerned that the proposed changes in this bill would be prohibitive for generational transition of farms.
LD 854, HP 628 An Act To Improve Tax Incentives for Broadband Service – Ackley
MONITOR
MFB will monitor to see if this proposed legislation will support broadband expansion in Maine.
Labor and Housing
Cross Building, Room 202, 1:00 pm
Work Session
LD 369, SP 110 An Act To Support Healthy Workplaces and Healthy Families by Providing Earned Paid Sick Leave to Certain Employees – Millett
OPPOSE
MFB staff and members testified in opposition to this bill. While MFB supports the rights of employers to provide benefits they deem best for their employees, this bill is cost prohibitive for small businesses with seasonal employees. This type of costly requirement could put many farms out of business.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 7TH
Agriculture Conservation and Forestry
Cross Building, Room 214 for about 4 hours, 1:00 pm
Public Hearing
LD 495, SP 160 Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry To Conduct a Feasibility Study on Locating a Grain Processing Facility in Aroostook County – Jackson
SUPPORT
MFB passed a policy to support the development of a grain processing facility in Aroostook County to help lower the cost of livestock grain and create a market for rotational crops for potato producers. Senator Jackson sponsored the bill on behalf of MFB.
LD 497, SP 162 An Act Regarding the Providing of Human Food Waste to Swine Producers – Guerin
OPPOSE
MFB members raised concerns regarding the language that amends the statute to “allow theCommissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may enter to investigate conditions relating to the treating or feeding of garbage to swine.” This is an unnecessary amendment that infringes upon property owner rights.
LD 568, HP 412 An Act To Change the Composition of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission – Dunphy
OPPOSE
MFB members believe there is no need to change the composition of the Commission.
Taxation
State House, Room 127, 1:00 pm
Work Session
LD 241, HP 204 An Act To Adjust the Personal Property Tax Exemption for Farm Machinery – O’Neil
SUPPORT
MFB staff and members provided testimony in support of this bill. We are optimistic this important exemption for farm machinery will be successful.
LD 424, HP 333 An Act To Provide a Sales Tax Exemption for Baling Twine, Net and Wrapping for Hay – O’Neil
SUPPORT
MFB staff and members provided testimony in support of this bill. We are optimistic this important sales tax exemption.
Energy Utilities and Technology
Cross Building, Room 211, 1:00 pm
Work Session
LD 434, HP 343 An Act To Price Carbon Pollution in Maine – Rykerson
OPPOSE
MFB staff and members testified in opposition to this bill, as did many other organizations. An amendment has been proposed to change the bill to a study. We are optimistic the Committee will vote Ought Not To Pass.