ABC Maine Blog

The Maine Legislature is heading into the final month of the legislative session. Most committee work is now concluding, which means more time will be spent in the House and Senate chambers for debate and floor votes on pending legislation.

At the same time, the Governor’s supplemental budget proposal is continuing to move through the Appropriations Committee process and is expected to reach the House and Senate floors later this month. Budget negotiations will likely dominate the final weeks of the session.

As the legislative calendar winds down, attention will quickly begin shifting toward the upcoming campaign season. Many legislators will soon turn their focus to elections, making the remaining weeks of the session an important window for final legislative action.

Below is an update on ABC Maine’s priority legislation this session:

• LD 1457 – Resolve, to Allow the Maine Turnpike Authority to Conduct a Pilot Program to Implement Automated Speed Control Systems in Highway Work Zones
  Voted Ought to Pass as Amended (11–1) in committee. This legislation would allow the Maine Turnpike Authority to conduct a pilot program using automated speed enforcement in highway work zones to improve safety for construction workers and motorists.
• LD 838 – An Act to Explore Public Financing and Ownership of Electric Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure
  The bill has been converted into a study, removing the original language that raised concerns related to potential PLA/PHA requirements. There has been discussion about including labor standards as part of the study scope, which ABC Maine will continue to monitor closely.
• LD 2070 – An Act to Prohibit Landfill Expansion into Wetlands
  This bill has been converted into a DEP study, which removed ABC Maine’s concerns with the original bill language.
• LD 2049 – An Act to Clarify Indemnification When Seeking Remedy for Labor Law Violations
  This bill was defeated. The original proposal included concerning “joint and several liability” language that could have significantly expanded liability exposure for contractors and construction businesses.

ABC Maine will continue monitoring legislative activity through the final weeks of session and will keep members informed of any developments that impact the construction industry.

Thank you!