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.
You're viewing: Defeated | Show All
- An Act To Index the State Minimum Wage to Inflation
- Last Update: April 02, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 192Representative Tuttle of Sanford would require the state’s minimum wage to be adjusted annually for inflation.
- FILED UNDER: Wage and Labor Related | Defeated | 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 Prevent the Spread of H1N1 (EMERGENCY)
- Last Update: April 02, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 1665Senate President Mitchell would require “large” businesses in Maine to provide up to 52 hours paid family sick leave a year, and half that amount for smaller firms. The bill’s expressed purpose is to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu virus, but the leave could be taken for numerous health and domestic violence-related purposes. Maine would become the first state to mandate paid family medical leave.
- FILED UNDER: Wage and Labor Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Support Collection and Proper Disposal of Unwanted Drugs
- Last Update: April 02, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 821Representative Perry of Calais would establish a state system to collect and safely dispose of unwanted drugs from households and other residential sources.
- FILED UNDER: Pharmaceutical | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Establish a Local Option Sales Tax
- Last Update: February 11, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 1253Representative Crockett of Augusta would allow a municipality to impose a local option sales tax of up to 3%, with 50% going to the municipality, 25% to the county, and 25% to the state general fund.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Bolster Maine's Social Safety Net through Voluntary Sales Tax Contributions (EMERGENCY)
- Last Update: April 02, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 1785This bill directs the State Tax Assessor to create a process for voluntary payments of a sales tax surcharge for persons who make purchases that are subject to the sales and use tax. A person choosing to make voluntary payments may do so through electronic payments from that person's financial institution to the Voluntary Sales Tax Safety Net Fund, which is established in this bill, or by other means that may be established by the State Tax Assessor, who administers payments to the fund. Payments to the fund are not subject to transfers to the Local Government Fund for state-municipal revenue sharing. Revenues in the fund are distributed proportionately to various safety net programs to alleviate the burden of future budget reductions required as a result of a decline in General Fund revenue.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To License Home Building and Improvement Contractors
- Last Update: April 02, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 272Representative MacDonald of Boothbay would license home building and improvement contractors. This measure has sparked considerable debate for several years in Maine.
- FILED UNDER: Wage and Labor Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Protect Family Caregivers
- Last Update: February 22, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 962This bill would add Family Caregivers to the ranks of protected classes of people under the Maine Human Rights Act.
- FILED UNDER: Wage and Labor Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Reimburse Pharmacies under the MaineCare Program Based on Wholesale Acquisition Costs (EM
- Last Update: February 18, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 1615Representative Lewin of Eliot would require the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse pharmacies for dispensing covered drugs under the MaineCare program based on a formula that includes calculated wholesale acquisition cost plus 6.7 % and a dispensing fee of $3.35.
- FILED UNDER: Pharmaceutical | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Increase the Minimum Wage
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 403Representative Tuttle of Sanford would increase the Maine Minimum wage to $8.90 an hour in two steps by October 1, 2011. Presently, the wage is scheduled to increase from $7.25 to $7.50 an hour on October 1, 2009. Under the new proposal, it would increase to $8.20 an hour in 2010 and to $8.90 in 2011. At that point it would be placed on “automatic pilot” to be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
- FILED UNDER: Wage and Labor Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Encourage Alternative Energy and Promote Maine Businesses (EMERGENCY)
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 471Senator Sullivan of York would provide a sales tax exemption on wood pellet stoves purchased in Maine.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Clarify the Term of a Retail Tobacco License
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 408Senator Plowman of Penobscot would clarify that a retail tobacco license is valid for one year after issuance rather than from a specific date.
- FILED UNDER: Miscellaneous | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Returnable Beverage Containers
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 544This bill requires that the refund value of all returnable beverage containers is 5¢.
- FILED UNDER: Environmental | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Allow a Retailer To Offer To Pay Sales Tax on Items and Services Sold by That Retailer
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 406Senator Courtney of York would allow a retailer to offer to pay sales tax on items and services sold by that retailer.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- Resolve, Regarding the Use of MaineCare for Catastrophic Illness
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 320Representative Tuttle of Sanford would have the state request a federal waiver to allow the use of Medicaid monies to cover catastrophic illnesses.
- FILED UNDER: Health Care | Defeated | 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 Reduce Regulatory Costs for Maine Businesses
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 347Senator Smith of Piscataquis would create a council on private sector regulatory costs.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Reduce Minimum Participation to 60% for Group Health Insurance
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 392Senator Plowman of Penobscot would reduce from 70 to 60% the minimum participation for group health insurance.
- FILED UNDER: Health Care | Defeated | 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 Exempt Annuities from Taxation
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 342Senator Nass of York would exempt annuity considerations from the tax imposed on insurance premiums.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | 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 Base the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax on the Documented Actual Sale Price Rather than on the M
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 381Representative MacDonald of Boothbay would base the motor vehicle excise tax on the actual sale price rather than the manufacturer’s list price.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Authorize the Administration of Epinephrine Autoinjectors and Asthma Inhalers in Emergenci
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 372Representative Valentino of Saco would authorize the administration of Epinephrine Auto-injectors and asthma inhalers in emergency situations.
- FILED UNDER: Health Care | 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 Provide a Sales Tax Exemption to Certain Organizations That Provide Assistance to Members
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 265Senator Goodall of Sagadahoc would provide a sales tax exemption to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to members of the military and their families.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Protect the Safety of Maine Children by Requiring the Express Consent of a Legal Guardian
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 251Representative Cebra of Naples would require the express consent of a legal guardian to dispense prescription medications to a minor.
- FILED UNDER: Pharmaceutical | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Impose an Excise Tax on the Extraction of Water for Bottling
- Last Update: February 01, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 237Representative Hinck of Portland would create an excise tax of one cent per gallon on the extraction of ground water or surface water from springs by a bottled water operator who extracts more than a million gallons in a previous calendar year.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 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 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 Require the Secretary of State To Notify Vehicle Owners of Impending Registration Expirati
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 145Representative Richardson of Warren would require the secretary of state to notify motor vehicle owners that the registration is about to expire and increase the registration fee from $35 to $36.
- FILED UNDER: Auto Service Related | Defeated | 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 Require Health Care Practitioners To Distribute Free Samples of Medications in Certain Cir
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 163Representative Beaudoin of Biddeford would require health care practitioners to distribute free samples – based on availability – in order to test the reaction of a patient to the medication and its effectiveness.
- FILED UNDER: Pharmaceutical | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Recouple Maine Estate Tax with the Federal Estate Tax
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 198Representative Knight of Livermore Falls, would re-couple the Maine estate tax with its federal counterpart.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Provide Tax Relief to Workers Who Lose Their Jobs Due to Business Closure
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 197Representative Knight of Livermore Falls would exempt from the Maine income tax the severance pay of employees laid-off from commercial or industrial establishments having 100 or more employees.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Provide a Sales Tax Exemption for Used Goods Sold To Benefit Food Pantries
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 167Representative Schatz of Blue Hill would provide a sales tax exemption for sales of used goods by a nonprofit when the profits from those sales benefit a feed pantry.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Prohibit the Use of Handheld Cellular Telephones while Driving
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 112Representative Crockett of Augusta is one of several proposed bills to limit or prohibit the use of cellular telephones by persons operating motor vehicles.
- FILED UNDER: Miscellaneous | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Modify the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 175Senator Rector of Knox would modify the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program administered by the Finance Authority of Maine by changing the requirements for increased credits from businesses located in high unemployment areas to those located in pine tree development zones.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 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 Exempt Residential Electricity from Sales Tax
- Last Update: January 27, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 109Representative Davis of Sangerville would exempt all residential electricity from the sales tax. Current law only exempts the first 750 kilowatt hours.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Ban Smoking on Public Beaches and in Public Parks
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 155Representative Knight of Livermore Falls would extend Maine’s public smoking ban to public beaches and parks.
- FILED UNDER: Miscellaneous | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Construction Contracts
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 93Representative Crockett of Augusta would require that any action by a home contractor or subcontractor to recover payment must be brought in the county were the construction is located.
- FILED UNDER: Wage and Labor Related | Defeated | 2010
- Resolve, To Delay the Sustainability of the Highway Fund
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 48Representative Mazurek of Rockland would suspend for two years Maine’s annual indexing of the gasoline excise tax, a procedure that placed the levy on so-called “automatic pilot.”
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Reduce Registration Fees for Certain Generators of Biomedical Waste
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 63Representative Pinkham of Lexington Township would direct the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt a one-time $50 registration fee for generators of less than 10 pounds of biomedical waste per month, in lieu of current rules that require an annual fee.
- FILED UNDER: Environmental | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Prohibit the Commercial Sale of Water by a Water District
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 55Representative Martin of Eagle Lake would prohibit a water district from selling water for profit outside its territory, or for commercial purposes.
- FILED UNDER: Environmental | Defeated | 2010
- An Act Regarding the Tax on Fuel Used for Commercial Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 72Representative Edgecomb of Caribou would allow a person who purchases and uses internal combustion fuel for commercial fishing, forestry or agriculture to apply for a refund of the excise tax paid.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act Regarding the Composition of the Board of Pesticides Control
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 68Senator Nutting of Androscoggin would add an organic farmer to the state’s Board of Pesticides Control.
- FILED UNDER: Environmental | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Promote the Integrity of Citizens\' Initiatives
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 28Representative Bryant of Windham would require that persons collecting citizen initiative signatures be a Maine registered voter. In 2008, sufficient signatures were gathered to place a tax repeal question on the November ballot. The tax package was repealed.
- FILED UNDER: Miscellaneous | Defeated | 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 the Force-feeding of Birds
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 9Representative Casavant of Biddeford would prohibit the force-feeding of birds in order to produce the food product known as foie gras.
- FILED UNDER: Miscellaneous | 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 Prohibit Air Bag Fraud
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 14Representative Hinck of Portland would create the crime of air bag fraud, i.e., knowingly making an air bag inoperable for fraudulent purposes.
- FILED UNDER: Auto Service Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Increase the Time Period for Motor Vehicle Inspections to 2 Years
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 42Representative Wheeler of Kittery would change the annual inspection requirement for motor vehicles – except for commercial vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers – to a biennial rather than annual inspection requirement.
- FILED UNDER: Auto Service Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Ensure Access to MaineCare Services
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 18Representative Beaudoin of Biddeford would require rulemaking to establish incentives for health care professionals to serve Medicaid members.
- FILED UNDER: Pharmaceutical | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Encourage the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 21Representative Bryant of Windham would require insurance policies to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
- FILED UNDER: Pharmaceutical | Defeated | 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 Amend the Definition of Employment for Purposes of Unemployment Compensation
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 27Representative Flood of Winthrop would require individuals to work at least 16 hours to meet the requirements of the “ABC Test” for collecting unemployment benefits.
- FILED UNDER: Wage and Labor Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Allow the Use of Only 2 Studded Tires on Front-wheel-drive Vehicles
- Last Update: January 19, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 38Representative Pinkham of Lexington Township would allow a front-wheel-drive vehicle to have studded snow tires on its front wheels only.
- FILED UNDER: Auto Service Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Designate Sales Tax Holiday Weekends
- Last Update: January 14, 2010
Status: Defeated
LD 1148Rep. Strang Burgess of Falmouth would designate Columbus Day 2009 as a Sales Tax Holiday and ask the legislature to designate two additional dates in 2010.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2010
- An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding Overnight Parking of Recreational Vehicles
- Last Update: May 15, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 114Representative Perry of Calais would address the issue of overnight parking of recreational vehicles in shopping center parking lots, including waste disposal.
- FILED UNDER: Environmental | Defeated | 2009
- An Act To Reform and Lower Maine Taxes
- Last Update: May 08, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 1314Representative Crockett of Augusta is another tax reform proposal designed to lower the income tax by increasing the lodging tax and by removing sales tax exemptions to expand the base.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2009
- An Act To Broaden and Increase the Sales Tax, Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit and Amend the Ap
- Last Update: May 08, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 1368Representative Watson of Bath is yet another bill to increase the sales tax in Maine – this one designed to use extra revenue to reduce the income tax and improve the Circuitbreaker Program. This version would increase the general sales tax from 5 to 6% and the levy on meals and lodging from 7 to 8%.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2009
- An Act To Allow Municipalities To Impose a Local Option Lodging or Meals Tax
- Last Update: May 08, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 1426Representative Flemings of Bar Harbor would allow a municipality to impose a local option lodging tax or a local option meals tax – or both – of 4 % by local referendum. Representative Flemings has also submitted LD 1381 which would allow a county to impose a local option tax.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2009
- An Act To Allow Counties To Provide Property Tax Relief by Enacting a County Option Meals and Lodgin
- Last Update: May 08, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 1381Representative Flemming of Bar Harbor would like counties in Maine to levy a local option tax of up to 2% on meals & lodging. A previously-printed bill would allow municipalities to impose a local levy of up to 3%.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 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 To Require Cause for Employment Termination
- Last Update: May 01, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 1185Senator Craven of Androscoggin would require private employers to show “just cause” for employee terminations.
- FILED UNDER: Wage and Labor Related | Defeated | 2009
- An Act To Promote the Accessibility and Use of Reusable Bags
- Last Update: March 20, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 622Representative Knapp of Gorham would require retailers in excess of 30,000 square feet to provide shoppers a free cloth or canvass bag, upon request at least twice a year.
- FILED UNDER: Environmental | Defeated | 2009
- An Act Regarding Insurance Copayments for Short-term Prescriptions
- Last Update: February 17, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 191This is a complex bill that would require health insurers and HMOs that provide coverage for prescription drugs to offer a special co-payment for short-term prescriptions.
- FILED UNDER: Pharmaceutical | Defeated | 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
- An Act To Amend the Laws Concerning Genetically Engineered Plants and Seeds
- Last Update: February 14, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 183Representative Schatz of Blue Hill makes several changes in the state law, including a requirement that manufacturers report annually to commissioner of agriculture.
- FILED UNDER: Environmental | Defeated | 2009
- An Act To Exempt the United States Flag from Sales Tax
- Last Update: February 14, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 218This bill exempts the sale of the United States flag from sales tax.
- FILED UNDER: Tax Related | Defeated | 2009
- An Act To Prohibit the Sale of Energy Drinks to Minors
- Last Update: February 14, 2009
Status: Defeated
LD 17Representative Pendleton of Scarborough would prohibit the sale of energy drinks to minors. Similar legislation was defeated in the previous legislative session.
- FILED UNDER: Miscellaneous | Defeated | 2009