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Bills That MOFGA Is Following In The 2024 Maine Legislative Session

Appropriations

Bill # Title Summaries MOFGA Position MOFGA Testimony Status
LD 2214 An Act to Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and to Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Governor Mills' proposal is here. This emergency legislation proposes to make supplemental appropriations and allocations and change certain laws for the proper operations of State Government. MOFGA is monitoring legislative activities that will appear as line items in the supplemental budget. To be posted. On Monday, March 4 beginning at 1:00, the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee will focus on the portion of the Supplemental Budget under the jurisdiction of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. MOFGA will testify in support of many programs that are essential for the viability of a healthy and fair food system.

Climate & Energy

Bill # Title Summary MOFGA Position MOFGA Testimony Status
LD 220 An Act to Support Maine's Potato Farmers and Processors This bill would provide $3 million for Maine’s Potato Marketing Improvement Fund to be used for grants to potato farmers for the development of sustainable irrigation water sources. MOFGA advocated for an amended version of this bill that would appropriate $6 million for a non-sector-specific fund to be managed by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. MOFGA testimony. The House and Senate supported an amended version of this bill which provides one-time funding of $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 for drought relief for farmers, with $3,000,000 available to potato farmers through the Potato Marketing Improvement Fund (PMIF) for the development of sustainable irrigation water sources, and $3,000,000 going to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Farmers Drought Relief Grant Program Fund to be used exclusively for farmers who are not eligible for PMIF grants. The bill was placed on the Appropriations Table and was carried over to the 2024 session of the Legislature.
LD 1227 An Act to Balance Renewable Energy Development with Natural and Working Lands Conservation This bill would help protect natural and working lands from industrial energy projects by directing the Governor's Energy Office to create and maintain a publicly accessible database of fully permitted or constructed energy facilities using renewable resources that may be used to identify land use trends. It also would require the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to work with other state offices and stakeholders to develop a plan to implement a dual-use energy pilot program. Support MOFGA testimony. The House and Senate voted in support of this bill. It was placed on the Appropriations Table and carried over to the 2024 session of the Legislature.
LD 2077 An Act Regarding Customer Costs and the Environmental and Health Effects of Natural Gas LD 2077 would direct the state to investigate the costs to gas customers of gas system expansion; impacts to health and indoor air quality of fossil fuel combustion; and opportunities to redeploy Maine’s existing gas infrastructure and workforce into geothermal heat districts. It would also protect gas customers by limiting natural gas expansion and cost. Support. This bill is on the Common Agenda of Maine's Environmental Priorities Coalition, of which MOFGA is a member. To be posted. This bill is under consideration by the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.

Farm Viability

Bill # Title Summary MOFGA Position MOFGA Testimony Status
LD 568 An Act to Provide Funding for the Fund to Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives This bill provides $600,000 to the Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Support. MOFGA Testimony. The House and Senate have voted in support of this bill. The bill was placed on the Appropriations Table and carried over to the 2024 legislative session.
LD 579 An Act to Support Farmland Conservation and Transition Planning for Farmers This bill would authorize Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) to manage an account for public-private partnership funding in support of the Maine Working Farmland Access and Protection Program. It also would provide permanent funding for a DACF staff position to manage this program. Support MOFGA testimony. The House and Senate have voted in support of this bill. The bill was placed on the Appropriations Table.
LD 1815. An Act to Protect Maine's Consumers by Establishing an Abuse of Dominance Right of Action and Requiring Notification of Mergers This bill establishes a right of action against a person with a dominant position in the conduct of any business, trade or commerce, in any labor market or in the furnishing of any service in this State that abuses that dominant position. This bill will encourage innovation and prevent large corporations from excluding or unfairly punishing rivals and raising consumer prices. It will help create more market opportunities for Maine farmers, and will address the problem of consolidation of the country’s food and agriculture system. Support MOFGA testimony. The Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee voted in support of this bill. The bill awaits votes in the House and Senate.
LD 1996 An Act to Regulate Synthetic Hemp-derived Cannabinoids This bill excludes from the definition of "hemp" consumer products, including beverages, that in their final form contain more than 0.5 milligrams of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per package, regardless of the number of servings per package, and any product intended for human consumption or inhalation containing synthetic hemp derived cannabinoids. Oppose MOFGA Testimony. The Senate rejected this bill on February 15.
LD 2066 An Act to Clarify Liability Under the Uncontrolled Hazardous Substance Site Law and to Waive a Fee Regarding Voluntary Response Action Plans This bill would provide a limited exemption from liability for contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) if the contamination were caused by Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)-licensed land application of sludge or sludge-derived products. The bill also would waive fees for farmers seeking assistance from DEP in developing an action plan to deal with the PFAS contamination. Support MOFGA Testimony. The House and Senate passed this bill. It awaits Governor Mills' signature.
LD 2093 An Act to Address Food Insecurity by Helping Maine Residents Access Locally Produced Food This bill would provide ongoing funding of $1.2 million annually for the Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives to be used to match contributions from private and public sources. Support MOFGA Testimony. The House and Senate passed this bill. It awaits a decision by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 2169 An Act to Support the Development of Workforce Housing to Promote Economic Development in Maine This bill would establish the Workforce Housing Development Loan Fund in the Department of Economic and Community Development to provide loans to support the development of affordable workforce housing. Community banks would be able to provide 0% interest loans to housing developers in order to build affordable housing for workers who earn 60% to 120% of the local median income. Support MOFGA Testimony. This bill is under consideration by the Housing Committee.
LD 2188 Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 26: Producer Margins, a Major Substantive Rule of the Maine Milk Commission This legislation would increase the support funding that dairy farmers receive when their pay price falls below the cost of milk production. Based on a new cost of production study conducted by the Maine Milk Commission, dairy farmers would be assured of increased break even payments -- ranging from $28.90 per hundred pounds of milk for small farms to $26.87 per hundred pounds for large farms. The total budget impact was estimated at $35M annually. Support MOFGA Testimony. Recognizing the significant fiscal impact on the state budget, the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee unanimously supported a compromise of 25% of the proposed increase. If the House and Senate pass the bill, its fate will rest in the hands of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 2212 An Act to Strengthen Maine's Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment This bill would provide $10 million in fiscal year 2024 - 2025 for the Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Investment Fund. Support To be posted. The Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee will host a public hearing on this bill on February 28 beginning at 1:15 p.m.

Human Health & Environment

Bill # Title Summary MOFGA Position MOFGA Testimony Status
LD 295 An Act Regarding Plastic Pollution This bill requires that any plastic container or plastic packaging with the "chasing arrows" label used in the Maine is actually recyclable in Maine. The DEP will conduct a study to determine what meets the definitions of recyclable, and what does not. This bill is of particular significance to MOFGA farmers who want to ensure their packaging is actually able to be recycled. Support MOFGA Testimony. This bill is under consideration by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
LD 928 Resolution, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Establish a Right to a Healthy Environment [The Pine Tree Amendment] This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to grant the people of the State a right to a clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, cultural and healthful qualities of the environment. Support. MOFGA Testimony. The Environment & Natural Resources Committee had a divided report on this legislation. The majority of members voted to support it. As it would amend the state's constitution, this bill needs 2/3 support in the House and Senate to pass.
LD 993 An Act to Facilitate Stakeholder Input Regarding Forest Policy in Maine This bill creates the Maine Forest Advisory Board to advise Maine's Bureau of Forestry on a variety of forestry issues and to provide input on the state forest action plan required under the federal Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Support. This bill is on the Common Agenda of Maine's Environmental Priorities Coalition. MOFGA Testimony. The House and Senate voted in support of this bill. It is now under consideration by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 1006 An Act to Ensure Access to Safe Drinking Water from Household Wells in Rural Areas by Expanding Testing This bill would add PFAS contaminants to the Department of Health and Human Services' uniform testing recommendation for private wells. It would provide educational outreach and free testing for PFAS in household well water of low-income residents. Support. MOFGA supports this legislation but did not submit official testimony. The House and Senate voted in support of this bill. It is now under consideration by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 1009 An Act Regarding the Reduction and Recycling of Food Waste This bill establishes a decision tree for managing food scraps – first, minimizing waste at the point of generation, then directing edible food scraps to establishments that can use them for human consumption, then diverting scraps for agricultural use including for consumption by animals, then using food scraps for composting or anaerobic digestion for soil amendments, and finally subjecting the food scraps to anaerobic digestion not followed by soil application. Support. MOFGA Testimony. The majority of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted in support of this bill. It awaits votes in the House and Senate.
LD 1215 An Act to End the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products This bill would prohibit the sale and distribution of flavored tobacco products, including flavored cigars and electronic smoking devices. Support. This bill is on the Common Agenda of Maine's Environmental Priorities Coalition, of which MOFGA is a member. MOFGA did not submit official testimony. The Senate passed this bill in the 2023 legislative session. It awaits a vote in the House this year.
LD 1285 An Act to Extend Funding for the Land for Maine's Future Program This bill provides ongoing funding ($10 million a year in fiscal years 23-24 and 24-25 for Maine's Land for Maine's Future program. Support. MOFGA testimony. The House and Senate voted in support of this bill. It is now under consideration by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 1537 An Act to Amend the Laws Relating to the Prevention of PFAS Pollution and to Provide Additional Funding This bill amends current law to ban the use of PFAS in several product categories before the 2030 deadline to ease the administrative burden and exempts those product categories from reporting requirements. Support. This bill is on the Common Agenda of Maine's Environmental Priorities Coalition. MOFGA testimony. This bill is under consideration by the Environment & Natural Resources Committee. An amended version of the bill is expected soon.
LD 2189 Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 41: Special Restrictions on Pesticide Use, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Board of Pesticides Control This bill would weaken current regulations for planting seeds that have been genetically modified to be resistant to pests and herbicides. It would broaden the range of approved crops and genetically engineered traits, it would reduce the training requirements for licensure to plant, and it would allow people to plant in quantities small enough for a homestead or home garden. Oppose. MOFGA Testimony The majority of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee voted in support of an amended version of this bill, which would prevent weakening of the current rules on planting seeds that are genetically engineerd to be pesticides. The bill awaits votes in the House and Senate.

Social Justice & Equity

Bill # Title Summary MOFGA Position MOFGA Testimony Status
LD 25 An Act to Provide Indigenous Peoples Free Access to State Parks This bill provides that a member of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or band is not required to pay a fee for admission to or use of any state-owned park or historic site managed by the State. Support. MOFGA Testimony. The House and Senate passed this bill. It awaits approval from the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 294 An Act to Include a Tribal Member in the Baxter State Park Authority This bill adds one member of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or band in this State to the Baxter State Park Authority, which has full power in the control and management of Baxter State Park. Support. To be posted. The majority of the Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Committee voted in support of this bill. The bill awaits votes in the House and Senate.
LD 525 An Act to Protect Farm Workers by Allowing Them to Organize for the Purposes of Collective Bargaining This bill gives employees of agricultural employers the right to bargain collectively; specifies the parties' mutual obligation to bargain; creates procedures for determining bargaining units and bargaining agents, including procedures for appeal of such determinations; and prohibits specified acts of agricultural employers, agricultural employees and agricultural labor organizations and provides for enforcement of those prohibitions by the Maine Labor Relations Board and subsequently through civil action in Superior Court. Support. MOFGA testimony. This bill is under consideration by the Labor and Housing Committee.
LD 536 An Act to Provide Natural Organic Reduction Facilities for Maine Residents for the Conversion of Human Remains to Soil This bill provides for the treatment of human remains by natural organic reduction as an alternative to burial in a casket or cremation. Natural organic reduction is the contained accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Support. MOFGA Testimony. The House and Senate supported this bill. It is now under consideration by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 1274 An Act to Increase Land Access for Historically Disinvested Populations This bill establishes the Black Farmer Restoration Program within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to support Black farmers and to encourage the growth of Black farmers in the field of agriculture through agricultural land grants. The bill also establishes the Farm Conservation Corps within the department to provide residents between the ages of 18 and 29 from socially disadvantaged groups the academic, vocational and social skills necessary to pursue long-term and productive careers in agriculture through apprenticeships. Support. MOFGA Testimony. This bill is under consideration by the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.
LD 1483 An Act to Protect the Rights of Agricultural Workers This bill would provides that an agricultural employer may not interfere with reasonable access to a key service provider by agricultural employees during work time, and specifies that only the agricultural employee may prohibit or bar individuals from the employee's residence. Support. MOFGA testimony. This bill is under consideration by the Labor & Housing Committee.
LD 1488 An Act to Expand Testing for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Private Drinking Water Wells This bill adds PFAS to the list of contaminants in the Department of Health and Human Services uniform testing recommendations for private drinking water wells. It also requires PFAS testing and disclosure by a landlord of a residential building supplied by a private drinking water well. Support. MOFGA supports this legislation but has not posted official testimony. The House and Senate supported this bill. It is under consideration by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 1621 An Act Regarding Environmental Justice This bill creates a legal framework that requires state agencies to meaningfully engage environmental justice populations, incorporate equity and environmental justice considerations into decision making and ensure the equitable distribution of environmental, energy and transportation benefits and burdens. Support. This bill is on the Common Agenda of Maine's Environmental Priorities Coalition. MOFGA testimony. The House and Senate voted in support of this bill. It is now under consideration by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 1682 An Act to Create the Maine Experiential Education Program This bill would establish the Maine Experiential Education Program within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to provide public schools with outdoor, hands-on, experiential learning opportunities related to gardens, food and agriculture to improve healthy academic, physical and emotional development for students. Support. MOFGA testimony. The House and Senate voted in support of this bill. It is now under consideration by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 1817 An Act to Support Outdoor Education by Establishing the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program This bill establishes the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program to provide immersive outdoor education to serve students enrolled in grade 4 to grade 8 in the State. It pledges to provide equitable access to the program to all students. Support. MOFGA testimony. The House and Senate voted in support of this bill. It is now under consideration by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 1823 An Act to Respect and Protect the Right to Food This is an omnibus bill that protects Maine people’s constitutional right to food and clarifies terms of the Maine Food Sovereignty Act, encouraging food self-sufficiency through education and land access, and limiting State involvement and/or interference with local food ordinances. Support. MOFGA testimony. This bill is under consideration by the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.
LD 2007 An Act to Advance Self-determination for Wabanaki Nations This bill restores the Wabanaki Nations’ inherent rights to self govern, including restoring their jurisdiction over their lands and waters. This will enable them to better advance environmental protections and climate solutions in the Wabanaki homelands that are now called Maine. Support. This is a top priority of the Wabanaki Alliance. It also is on the Common Agenda of Maine's Environmental Priorities Coalition. To be posted. The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on this bill on Monday, February 25
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