Legislative Affairs
The Maine Merchants Association Legislative Affairs Team is our member's full-time advocate in Augusta. Throughout the legislative session, we track dozens of bills relevant to Maine's merchant community.
We have developed a unique bill tracking service that enables our members to quickly find relevant bills, understand their impact, and the progress a bill has made. We also will feature particular bills that have garnered a lot of attention or stand to impact our industry in significant ways. We urge our membership to pay close attention to the Featured Bills.
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- An Act To Prohibit Surcharges on the Use of Debit Cards
- Last Update: April 02, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 1779Representative Sharon Treat, D-Hallowell, would prohibit surcharges on the use of debit cards.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Create the Children's Wireless Protection Act
- Last Update: April 02, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 1706Representative Boland of Sanford would require a warning to be placed in the packaging of all cellular phones sold for use in Maine, warning of the alleged danger of brain cancer.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Protect Minors from Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices
- Last Update: April 02, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 1677Senator Schneider of Penobscot is sponsoring the 2010 version of a controversial law enacted in 2009 to regulate the obtaining of information from teenagers. A federal judge and the Maine attorney general have indicated that the original law (LD 1183) was too broad and vague, and suggested that it be repealed and replaced by a measure more narrowly focused. Thus, LD 1677 would prohibit the collection of personal information on the Internet from teens for purposes of pharmaceutical marketing.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Clarify the Informed Growth Act (EMERGENCY)
- Last Update: March 26, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 1569Representative Beaudette of Biddeford would amend Maine’s controversial law that requires proposed large retail developments to pay for special impact studies. The amendment would stipulate that the act applies only to permits or approvals for new construction and that a simple change of use permit would not require the study.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- Resolve, To Encourage the Preservation of Dark Skies
- Last Update: January 29, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 11Representative Schatz of Blue Hill would direct state agencies to establish a uniform state standard for new commercial construction and the lighting of outside space to limit light pollution.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Change the Penalties for Writing Bad Checks
- Last Update: July 10, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 1588Representative Shaw of Standish of proposes to increase the classification of certain crimes involving negotiating a worthless instrument, provides a statute of limitations of 18 months for filing a civil action for issuing a dishonored check and increases the amount that may be recovered in a civil action for issuing a dishonored check.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Protect Consumers from Charges after a Free Trial Period
- Last Update: July 10, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 1541Representative Hunt of Buxton would prohibit a merchants from offering a consumer product or service for a free trial period if the consumer is required to contact the merchant to avoid receiving additional products or services and incurring a financial obligation.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Protect Confidential Consumer Records in Self-service Storage Facilities
- Last Update: July 10, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 1499Senator Bowman of York is a repeat of a much-debated measure designed to determine who is responsible for confidential papers and records left in self-service storage sheds.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Amend the Law Pertaining to Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors (EMERGENCY)
- Last Update: July 10, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 1497This bill makes the following clarifications to the law governing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Facilitate Lactation at the Workplace by New Mothers
- Last Update: April 02, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 373Representative Walsh Innes of Yarmouth would require businesses to provide a break time and sanitary space for nursing mothers.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Strengthen Maine Small Business by Establishing a Preference Percentage for State Contract
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 327Representative Butterfield of Bangor would establish a Maine small business preference for bids on state contracts.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Protect Residential Consumers of Home Heating Fuel
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Undetermined
LD 355Senator Bliss of Cumberland would require that prepaid contracts clearly outline the cancellation clause.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Undetermined | 2010
- An Act To Protect Nonprofit Organizations from Embezzlement
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 394Senator Hobbins of York would require two authorized signatures on checks.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Clarify the Amount of a Contract for Small Claim Purposes
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 375Representative Walsh Innes of Yarmouth would limit small claims recovery to the amount of the debt.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Allow Maine Residents To Purchase Health Insurance from Out-of-state Insurers
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 290Representative McKane of Newcastle would allow Maine residents to purchase health insurance from out-of-state insurers.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Require Businesses To Make Toilet Facilities Available to Individuals with Certain Medical
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 232Representative Richardson of Warren would require retail businesses to make a restroom available to persons with certain medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Increase Consumer Choice Regarding Service Contracts
- Last Update: January 29, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 1621Representative Thibodeau of Winterport would allow consumers to purchase service contracts, warranties and maintenance agreements from parties other than the manufacturer.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Prevent Price Gouging in the Sale of Milk
- Last Update: January 29, 2010
Status: In committee
LD 1182Senator Mills of Somerset would prevent price gouging in the sale of milk.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Allow a Gasoline Retailer To Offer Discounts to Customers Who Pay by Cash or Similar Means
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 270Representative MacDonald of Boothbay would allow a retailer selling gasoline to offer discounts to customers who pay by cash, debit card, or check, rather than by credit card.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Supervise and Regulate Escrow Agents in Order To Protect Consumers
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 165Representative Pilon of Saco would regulate entities that operate as escrow agencies and require them to be licensed by the department of Professional and Financial Regulation. The bill defines an escrow agent as a person engaged in the business of accepting or receiving escrows for deposit or delivery on behalf of an escrow agency.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Require Telephone Directories To Include Cellular Telephone Numbers for Businesses
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 146Representative Richardson of Warren would require telephone directories to include cellular telephone numbers for businesses.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Protect Consumers from the Unlicensed Practice of a Trade or Profession
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 156Representative Connor of Kennnebunk increases the maximum fine for an unlicensed practice or trade from $2,000 to $5,000.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To License Commercial Painters
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 201Representative Giles of Belfast would require the licensing of commercial painters.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Allow a Cosmetologist, Barber, Manicurist or Aesthetician Licensee To Perform Services out
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 184Representative Nutting of Oakland would permit cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists or aestheticians to perform their services anywhere outside their primary locations.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Clarify the Definition of Hard Cider for the Purposes of the Returnable Container Law
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 50Representative Smith of Monmouth would clarify the definition of hard cider for the purpose of the state’s returnable bottle law.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Prohibit the Use of a Handheld Cellular Telephone While Operating a Motor Vehicle
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 41Representative Beaudoin of Biddeford would prohibit the use of handheld cellular phones and electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Prohibit Certain Uses of Cellular Telephones and Handheld Electronic Devices while Operati
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 40Representative Hogan of Old Orchard Beach would prohibit the use of hand-held cellular phones and electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Establish a Distracted Driver Law
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 6Senator Diamond of Cumberland would make driving while distracted a moving violation. Similar to LD 40 & LD 41 in this session.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Deter Road Rage
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 8Senator Rosen of Hancock would establish road rage as a Class E crime.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Liquor Licenses
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 5Senator Diamond of Cumberland would delete from current law the provision that limits the number of liquor stores that may be licensed in a municipality.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Modify the Informed Growth Act
- Last Update: January 14, 2010
Status: Passed
LD 448Representative Beaudette of Biddeford outlines how a municipality could exempt itself from Maine’s Informed Growth Act that imposes separate standards on large retail projects.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
- An Act To Protect Maine Citizens' Credit
- Last Update: January 08, 2010
Status: In committee
LD 1676Senator Bartlett of Cumberland would amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to ensure that certain persons continue to receive necessary medical treatment and information in particular debt situations.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Establish a Broadband Policy for Maine (EMERGENCY)
- Last Update: December 30, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1646Representative Flaherty of Scarborough would establish a broadband policy for Maine, using as a model the baseline used by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Require That a Utility Company Notify the Owner of Property prior to Disconnecting Service
- Last Update: December 30, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1644Representative Pilon of Saco would require a utility to notify a landlord when residential utility service of a tenant is to be terminated.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Encourage Extended Stays in Maine Waters
- Last Update: December 30, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1636Representative Cushing of Hampden would expand from 75 to 90 the number of days a watercraft may remain in Maine without being subjected to the excise tax.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Streamline Wine Registration Requirements
- Last Update: December 30, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1629Representative Berry of Bowdoinham would increase from $10 to $20 the fee for registering a wine.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Taste Testing of Alcoholic Beverages (EMERGENCY)
- Last Update: December 30, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1628Representative Fitts of Pittsfield will, no doubt, resume a favorite legislative debate over where and when taste-testing events may occur. This bill will address the presence of children at an event, i.e. a supermarket.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Establish an Office of Administrative Law Judges for Licensing Boards
- Last Update: December 30, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1608Representative Smith of Monmouth would establish the office of administrative law judge for licensing boards.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Amend the Animal Welfare Laws
- Last Update: December 30, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1587Representative Pieh of Bremen would allow the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture to market and sell general merchandise to generate funds for animal welfare programs. In the past, Maine Merchants Association has fought sales tax increases for the funding for that purpose.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act Regarding Liquor Licenses for Qualified Catering Services (EMERGENCY)
- Last Update: December 21, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1559Senator Bliss of Cumberland would stipulate that a qualified catering service could host up to 12 events a year at a facility owned by the catering service and serve alcoholic beverages to be consumed on the premises.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Stimulate Capital Investment for Innovative Businesses in Maine
- Last Update: December 21, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1Senator Mills of Somerset would establish a Maine “Fund of Funds” within the Small Enterprise Growth Board for the purpose of increasing the availability of venture capital to the Maine economy.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Ensure That Search and Rescue Dogs Are Afforded the Same Access to Public Accommodations a
- Last Update: December 21, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1519Senator Gerzofsky of Cumberland would allow state fish and wildlife personnel to be accompanied in places of public accommodation by search and rescue animals.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2010
- An Act To Increase the Jurisdictional Limit for Small Claims
- Last Update: June 04, 2009
Status: In Senate for vote
LD 443Representative Cleary of Houlton would increase the jurisdictional limit for small claims damages from $4,500 to $10,000 and increase the filing fee for small claims actions for damages over $4,500 to $120.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In Senate for vote | 2009
- An Act To Make Certain Changes to the Laws Regarding E-9-1-1 Surcharge Collection from Prepaid Wirel
- Last Update: May 08, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 789Representative Flaherty of Scarborough would attempt to clarify how the residences of prepaid wireless and cellular customers must be determined. A related bill is anticipated, and it would mandate retailers to collect prepaid wireless surcharges from cards sold at retail.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Repeal the Informed Growth Act
- Last Update: May 07, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 242Senator Hastings of Oxford would repeal Maine’s Informed Growth Act that was passed two years ago to regulate large retail developments at the state level.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2009
- An Act Regarding Trans Fat
- Last Update: May 07, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 916Representative Webster of Freeport would ban restaurant foods containing artificial trans-fats.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Amend the Informed Growth Act To Provide a Local Management Option
- Last Update: May 07, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 918Representative Berry of Bowdoinham is one of three bills that have been introduced to amend or repeal Maine’s Informed Growth Act that makes developers take extra steps in order to get approval of large retail developments.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Strengthen the Workplace Smoking Laws and Other Laws Governing Smoking
- Last Update: April 10, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1429Senator Mills of Somerset would strengthen Maine’s no-smoking laws by banning designated smoking areas indoors, and clarifies laws governing workplace and residential smoking.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Clarify the Use of Instant Redeemable Coupons with Alcoholic Beverages
- Last Update: April 03, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1309Representative Fitts of Pittsfield would allow manufacturers to insert redeemable coupons in products sold in Maine.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Prohibit Predispute Mandatory Binding Arbitration Clauses in Consumer Contracts
- Last Update: April 03, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1256Representative Flaherty of Scarborough would prohibit pre-dispute mandatory binding arbitration clauses in consumer contracts.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Reduce the Cost of Permitting of Business Development
- Last Update: April 03, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1251Representative Van Wie of New Gloucester would provide an income tax credit for certain studies, analysis, and inventories required as part of certain major state environmental permitting laws.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Prohibit the Delivery of Tobacco Products to Consumers To Prevent the Sale of Tobacco Prod
- Last Update: April 03, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1230Representative Perry of Calais would prohibit the delivery of tobacco products to anyone in Maine except licensed distributors and retailers.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Amend the Motor Vehicle Laws
- Last Update: March 26, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1190Senator Damon of Hancock is a catch-all bill to make almost 20 changes in the Motor Vehicle Laws.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Allow the Sale and Use of Consumer Fireworks
- Last Update: March 26, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1187Senator Gooley of Franklin would permit the sale and use of fireworks (currently prohibited) in Maine.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Improve Children's Safety in Public Swimming Pools
- Last Update: March 26, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1165Representative Hunt of Buxton would require all public swimming pools and spas to meet federal safety standards.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Limit the Interest Charged under Rental-purchase Agreements
- Last Update: March 26, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1137Representative Eves of North Berwick would limit the interest charged under rental-purchase agreements.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Promote Personal Financial Responsibility by Allowing a Person To Make Good on Dishonored
- Last Update: March 26, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1107Representative Hayes of Buckfield would give the writer of a bad check an opportunity to make it good prior to initiation of criminal charges.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Discourage Theft from and Destruction of Vending Machines
- Last Update: March 20, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1035Representative Thibodeau of Winterport would increase fines for persons who steal from or vandalize vending machines.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Strengthen the Informed Growth Act
- Last Update: March 20, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 1019Senator Nutting of Androscoggin County would require economic impact studies under Maine’s Informed Growth Act to include the number of full and part-time employees that will be covered by health insurance.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Permit Brew Pubs To Sell Half-gallon Containers of Malt Liquor
- Last Update: March 05, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 904Representative Smith of Monmouth would allow a small brewery with an on-premise liquor license to sell malt liquor produced at the brewery in half-gallon containers.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Provide a Tax Credit to Certain Heating Fuel Contract Consumers
- Last Update: March 05, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 872Representative Stevens of Bangor would allow a person entering into a heating fuel contract at a locked-in price to obtain an income tax credit if the actual heating oil price decreases after signing the contract.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Increase Snowmobile Registration Fees
- Last Update: March 05, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 823Representative Clark of Millinocket would increase the snowmobile registration fee for a resident from $35 to $50.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Limit Smoking in Outdoor Dining Areas
- Last Update: March 05, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 820Representative Cohen of Portland would prohibit smoking in outdoor eating areas until 10 p.m.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Require Plain Language in Consumer Contracts
- Last Update: March 05, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 813Representative Eves of North Berwick would require written consumer contracts involving $100,000 or less to meet certain criteria in order to be clear and readable so as to adequately inform consumers of their rights and duties fixed by the contract.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Support District Attorney Check Diversion Programs
- Last Update: February 27, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 511This bill may threaten a popular check diversion program that gives District Attorneys the ability to write persons who have written bad checks.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Protect the Privacy of Consumer Financial Information
- Last Update: February 26, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 783Representative Legg of Kennebunk would place an opt-in requirement in state law so that financial services providers such as banks and credit unions would have to have specific customer permission to disclose personal information to non-affiliated third parties. Current Maine law says consumers must specifically opt-out.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support Small Businesses' Access to Capital
- Last Update: February 26, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 732Senate President Mitchell of Kennebec proposes a $30 million bond issue to provide loans for small business development.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Ensure Proper Oversight of Propane Facilities
- Last Update: February 26, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 717Representative Fitts of Pittsfield would shift oversight of propane facilities from the Public Utilities Commission to the Propane and Natural Gas Board.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Allow Limited Partnerships between Brewers and Wholesalers
- Last Update: February 26, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 694Senator Sullivan of York would permit limited partnerships between brewers and wholesalers.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Assist Small Businesses with Creating Jobs
- Last Update: February 20, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 612By Senator Diamond of Cumberland: This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill proposes to assist small businesses with the creation of jobs and increased employment.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Retain Business in the State By Amending the Law Governing State Contract Bids
- Last Update: February 20, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 586Representative Thomas of Ripley would give Maine businesses a 5% preference on state bids. Another measure introduced earlier would provide a 15% preference.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Protect College Students from Predatory Marketing and Lending Practices
- Last Update: February 20, 2009
Status: In committee
LD 571Representative Russell of Portland would require colleges and universities in Maine to adopt policies regulating the marketing of credit cards to students on their campuses.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | In committee | 2009
- An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding Public Rest Rooms
- Last Update: February 14, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 19Representative Beaudoin of Biddeford would require all places of public accommodation that provide rest room facilities to also provide disposable toilet seat covers.
- FILED UNDER: General Business | Defeated | 2009