This Week in Committee

The Marine Resources Committee has had a busy week! 

A school of alewives.

Cred: GEOFFREY GILMOUR-TAYLOR FLICKR/CREATIVE COMMONS

HTTP://NEWS.MPBN.NET/POST/CANADIANS-OPPOSE-CLOSURE-ST-CROIX-RIVER-BASIN-ALEWIVES

On Monday morning 4/27 we listened to public hearings on L.D. 1262 An Act To Authorize Tribal-state Memoranda in the Eel and Elver Fisheries and L.D. 800 An Act To Prevent Passage of Alewives through the Grand Falls Dam on the St. Croix River.

On Wednesday afternoon 4/29 public hearings were held for L.D. 1227 An Act To Provide for Improved Reporting of Marine Resources Landings and L.D. 1233 An Act To Improve Enforcement of Maine's Marine Resources Laws. 

Then we had a work session for L.D. 800 An Act To Prevent Passage of Alewives through the Grand Falls Dam on the St. Croix River, L.D. 896  An Act To Improve Lobster Licensing

and L.D. 1262  An Act To Authorize Tribal-state Memoranda in the Eel and Elver Fisheries. 

Results: L.D. 800 was voted ought not to pass, L.D. 896 was tabled and L.D. 1263 was also tabled. 

Here is some background and the results on L.D. 800, which brought lots of legislative debate:

Battle revived over alewives in St. Croix River - Central Maine

Maine lawmakers reject bill to bar alewives from upper St. Croix River - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Public Hearing testimony items for L.D. 896:

LD 896, HP 615, Text and Status, 127th Legislature, First Regular Session

Summary of "An Act To Authorize Tribal-state Memoranda in the Eel and Elver Fisheries":

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0862&item=1&snum=127

And don't forget that bill searches and public hearing schedules and testimonies are always available at: legislature.maine.gov

Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is child abuse prevention month. There is a new state-local partnership between Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Maine Children’s Trust and the statewide network of community-based Child Abuse Prevention Councils. Safe and healthy homes and these community-based supports reduce the risk of abuse and neglect and promote optimal outcomes for Maine's youth.  

For prevention programs, events and ways to donate visit: 
~.:: Maine Children's Trust ::.

Free Courses on Employment Laws Available

The Maine Department of Labor will be offering sessions at no-charge for its course that educates employers about regulations governing the workplace. Classes will be held in Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, Portland, Presque Isle, Rockland, Skowhegan, Springvale, and Wilton.

This helpful course covers "wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, leave requirements (family medical leave and domestic violence), and break requirements. It addresses commonly asked employment-related questions and offers participants an opportunity to ask questions."

Governor LePage said:

“We are pleased to be offering these popular courses at no charge to employers all over the state to make it more convenient for small business owners and HR staff to attend. Understanding the law prevents businesses from making costly mistakes. This course helps Maine’s business managers save time, money and aggravation when complying with state regulations.”

For more information and registration see:

Maine Department of Labor: News & Events

Getting to Know More Locals

Over the past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure of meeting multiple district locals! On March 31, I meet Cary Huggins, from Westport Island, of the Bicycle coalition of Maine. They are working hard for better bicycling in Maine. On April 4, at the American Legion I met David Patch,  Boothbay Harbor's rep at the Mid-Coast Veterans Council and a rep of the Maine Veteran Coordinating Committee, and learned about the great work he is doing for veteran services. On the same Saturday, I also met Assistant Chief Neil Kimball of Bristol Fire and Rescue who filled me in on all that they do to keep the community safe. On April 7, I met Nancy Adams, of the Natural Resource Council of Maine (NRCM) a non-profit membership organization working to protect and conserve Maine natural resources, to discuss her environmental concerns. It was so nice to meet you all! We will be in touch! 

More information on all of their hard work:   
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine | Making Maine a Better Place to Bicycle, since 1992

"Mainebvs.org: index"

Bristol, Maine Fire and Rescue

The Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine's leading organization working to protect Maine's environment

The Latest Press

BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register

Here are a few recent articles:  

Rep. Hawke’s days filled with hearings, phone calls and emails | Boothbay Register

Report from Augusta | Boothbay Register

It has begun | Boothbay Register

Last Night at Bigelow Labs

We received a great tour of Bigelow Laboratories in East Boothbay last night! A bus brought legislators from Augusta. We met the scientists and learned about what they're up to. Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice reception. 

Local Teens Visit State House for Taylor's Law

Local teens from Boothbay Region Elementary School and Boothbay Region High School visited the State House Tuesday and watched the legislative process for Taylor's Law (LD 737). It was great to see them taking interest and getting involved in Maine's law making process. Taylor's Law creates new restrictions on new and inexperienced teen drivers, which would prohibit non-family member passengers until the driver is 18 years old unless accompanied by a driver over 20 years old who has held a drivers license for over two years. The law would mandate that "Taylor Tags" (decals pictured above) be placed on new driver's vehicles to indicate to police officers and others that they are new drivers and should not have passengers in the vehicle and for overall general awareness. Taylor's Law was created after the Bucksport teen Taylor Darveau, 15, who was killed as a passenger in a car being driven by a 16 year old friend on October 3, 2013. Her parents Corey and Christina Darveau came up with this idea to help prevent other similar tragedies from happening in the future. They created the T.A.Y.L.O.R (acronym for thinking about your life on the road) Foundation promoting the awareness of teen driving safety and to educate the community on the issue. For more information and resources see the links below.

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0267&item=1&snum=127

Taylor Foundation