Here is a list of highlights sponsored by tri-county lawmakers in bills 526 through 650.
* Rep. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls, wants veterans and their survivors to receive a $500 property tax credit. Knight’s bill would force the state to reimburse municipalities for the credit.
A public hearing for LD 550 has not been scheduled.
* Sen. Thomas Saviello, R-Wilton, wants to study ways to increase accessibility requirements to public buildings, restaurants, colleges and hospitals for people with disabilities. Saviello is proposing a working group to report to the Legislature later this year.
A public hearing for LD 560 has not been scheduled.
* Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland, has a bill that would exempt pharmacies from reporting to the Maine Health Data Organization. The MHDO is responsible for creating and maintaining a comprehensive health information database that is used to improve the health of Maine citizens.
A public hearing for LD 572 has not been scheduled.
* Snowe-Mello also tried to extend the period drivers can use a temporary license plate from 14 days to 30 days. The transportation committee voted unanimously not to pass LD 574.
* Saviello is sponsoring a bill that would limit taxes on hospitals to $81,386,215 annually. A public hearing for LD 577 has not been scheduled.
* Saviello also wants to start random drug testing for MaineCare recipients. LD 605 would prohibit a person who tests positive for use of illegal drugs from receiving benefits until the person tests negative.
A public hearing has not been scheduled.
* Saviello has a bill that would require governors to get elected by at least 50 percent of voters casting ballots. Currently, the candidate who receives the largest number of votes is elected. Under Saviello’s LD 607, a runoff election would commence between the two candidates who received the largest number of votes if neither initially receives more than 50 percent of the total vote. The person who receives the larger number of votes in the runoff election is declared governor.
The legal affairs committee produced a divided report last week on LD 607. A Senate vote is next.
* LD 614 is another Saviello bill. It’s designed to speed up the approval process for projects falling under the purview of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission. The environmental committee voted not to pass the bill.
* Saviello has another proposal that would reduce the liability of landowners for environmental violations that are caused by recreational or harvesting activities.
There’s already been a public hearing for LD 616. A work session hasn’t been scheduled.
* Rep. Dale Crafts, R-Lisbon, has a bill that would require an applicant for a handicap plate or placard at a municipality to show proof of their disability in person.
The transportation committee voted unanimously not to pass LD 630.
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