AUGUSTA, Maine — Several bills are still up for grabs as Maine lawmakers continue to deliberate even as the legislative session heads to a close on Wednesday.
Gun safety bills coming to a head by lawmakers
On the table are a number of public safety and gun bills that aim to reduce both suicides and gun violence in Maine. A bill proposed by Gov. Janet Mills, "An Act to Strengthen Public Safety by Improving Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System," would strengthen the state's current yellow flag laws in place, if passed.
The bill has been enacted by both the House and the Senate and was placed on the Special Appropriations Table by Sen. Jill Duson.
Another bill, which would create a 72-hour waiting period for gun sales, was accepted in the Senate on Friday, and later in the House on Tuesday by one vote. Some lawmakers are concerned the bill won't have enough bipartisan support to be enacted by both chambers, considering many Maine Republicans have explained a waiting period would potentially step on the toes of Mainers' Second Amendment rights.
"When I go to the dealer, fill out the paperwork, pass the instant background check—literally a thirty-second phone call—why would I wait three days at that point?" Rep. Donald Ardell said. "What it comes down to is harassment of Mainers' and it's a delay of their right."
Another gun safety bill known as "Donna's Law" in other states has also gained support and is on its way to the governor's desk for signage. Sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, if passed it would spark a study to create a voluntary waiver of firearm rights for people dealing with a mental health crisis.
Coastal funding for damaged waterfront communities
After severe storms tore through working waterfronts, many Mainers have been on the edge of their seats to see "An Act to Provide Funding to Rebuild Infrastructure Affected by Extreme Inland and Coastal Weather Events" pass.
Proposed by the governor as a separate portion of the supplemental budget, the bill aims to send millions of money to inland towns hit by severe storms Maine saw earlier this year, as well as to the hundreds of coastal towns that were also left with massive damage.
"I mean, I don't have to tell anybody—I don't think—the importance of the working waterfront on our economy. Not just for the fishermen but also for the communities," Rep. Allison Hepler said. "DOT has been working with DMR, the governor's Office on Policy and Innovation for the Future has also been working on that, and they're ready to get stuff moving."
The Senate amended the bill on Friday, which included additional funding towards mental health resources as well as to fund portions of the Department of Health and Human Services. The governor has since urged lawmakers to rework the bill to focus on coastal aid.
Offshore wind projects may jumpstart with pending bill
With climate change knocking at Maine's door, lawmakers and other organizations in Maine are getting anxious about jumpstarting clean energy creation through wind power.
Also proposed by the governor, "An Act Regarding Offshore Wind Terminals Located in Coastal Sand Dune Systems" would allow the Department of Environmental Protection to grant a permit to create an offshore wind terminal off of the coast of Sears Island if passed.
The bill has already been approved 21-13 in the Senate and now heads to the House.
"We are facing really difficult decisions as a society and here in Maine, specifically about how we're going to build the clean energy infrastructure at the scale that we need, to address the climate crisis," Executive Director of the Maine Labor Climate Council Francis Eanes said. "I think this question about permitting, about sand dunes, about laws and regulations is exactly part of that conversation and this bill takes a sensible, middle-ground approach."
The expected last day of the 131st Legislative Session is on Wednesday, April 17.
