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Good afternoon!
This week was largely consumed with work sessions as committees continue to work through nearly 2,000 bills ahead of pending deadlines. New bill drafts have continued to be printed, although the pace has slowed. Our team continues to monitor committees closely, working with key legislators and the administration on language to address concerns and achieve goals on bills in a number of committees.
The Council also weighed in on a number of bills at hearings this week including the following:
On Monday, the Housing and Economic Development Committee held a hearing on LD 1733, "An Act to Provide Reduced Interest Rates for Logging and Fishing Operations." Brought forward by Senator Bennett on behalf of PLC, this bill would establish the Improvements to Logging and Fishing Enterprises Loan program within FAME to provide low-interest loans to logging and fishing enterprises that may not exceed 2%. The Council happily provided testimony in support of this legislation, which received a unanimous OTP-AM report on Thursday.
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On Tuesday, the Council testified before the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee 'neither for nor against' LD 1953, "An Act to Ensure Public Access to Conservation Land by Providing Protections from Liability to Landowners." Sponsored by Senator Brenner on behalf of the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, this bill seeks to provide additional protection from liability for landowners who grant easements that include perpetual public access for recreation or harvesting activities. While the Council appreciates the intent of the bill, it remains to be proven that rights can be vested through statute. On Thursday, the ACF Committee voted unanimously in support of the bill, including a small amendment provided by the Council to provide clarity. We would like to thank Senator Brenner and ACF members for their attention to this landowner concern.
Also on Tuesday, the ACF Committee reconsidered LD 1529, "An Act to Enhance the Protection of High-value Natural Resources Statewide" and voted unanimously in support of an amendment that largely addressed landowner and Department concerns. We are grateful to Senator Bennett for working with stakeholders to achieve this outcome.
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On Thursday, the Council delivered testimony in support of the Sponsor's Amendment to LD 1792, "An Act Regarding the Energy Policy of the State." Sponsored by Senator Grohoski, this bill (as amended) would implement the widely supported stipulation from the PUC Docket No. 2024-001137. This stipulation emerged from negotiations among manufacturers, generators and the Office of the Public Advocate to address stranded costs associated with Net Energy Billing. This bill is critical for the forest products sector, which includes a number of mills included in the large rate class that have been hit disproportionately hard by the recent PUC order on stranded cost allocations. LD 1792 (as amended) reflects a balanced compromise that establishes a more equitable stranded cost rate structure, which is critical for maintaining the financial health of Maine's forest products industry.
The Council will continue to engage on this bill, and others, to address the stranded costs associated with the NEB program that are impacting our members in all rate classes across the state. We are hopeful that the EUT Committee will bring the program costs more in light with benefits to ratepayers, as well as explore other means to offset some of the policy-driven costs associated with this program.
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That's all for now. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
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