A look at the latest bills Gov. Mills signed into law
Gov. Janet Mills signs the first bill of the legislative session, LD1, into law. The measure provides resources and relief for communities impacted by extreme weather. (Photo courtesy of Office of Gov. Mills)
Maine lawmakers have been busy voting on bills that will eventually make their way to the governor's desk.
Each week, the clerk of the House of Representatives publishes a report of the bills that Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law and those that she has allowed to become law without the endorsement of her signature.
Those reports have become more robust as work has picked up in the chambers with dozens of bills receiving passage and enactment votes each session in recent weeks.
On May 16, Mills signed 10 bills into law, according to the most recent report published Friday. The new statutes add reporting requirements for how the state spends opioid settlement funds and allow law enforcement to share information with school officials about a juvenile when there is credible evidence regarding the use of a firearm or dangerous weapon.
While most of the new laws won't take effect until 90 days after the Legislature adjourns for the session, one bill (LD 448) included specific language to take effect upon the governor's signature. That statute reinstates caps for dental provider licensing and permit fees.
The newly enacted laws include:
LD 448: An Act Regarding the Establishment of Fees and Fee Caps for Dental Provider Licensing and Permits
LD 379: An Act Regarding Confidential Information Gathered for Forest Fire Emergency Response and Planning
LD 386: An Act Regarding Information That May Be Shared by Law Enforcement Entities with a School Superintendent or a Principal
LD 404: An Act Regarding the Confidentiality of Certain Lottery Winner Identities
LD 650: An Act to Support Municipal Public Health
LD 1545: An Act to Clarify the Maximum Value That a Small Estate May Be Under the Maine Uniform Probate Code to Permit Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit
LD 224: An Act to Expand the Definition of 'Terrorism' in the Laws Governing the Maine Emergency Management Agency
LD 31: An Act Regarding School Enrollment for Military-connected Students
LD 110: An Act to Require Reporting on the Expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds by Certain Municipalities and County Governments
LD 141: An Act to Provide Limited Immunity to Maine Human Rights Commission Mediators
A few days later, LD 321, which made May Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Month, became law without Mills' signature.
The governor also chose not to endorse LD 472. That legislation directs multiple agencies to examine restoring passenger rail from Boston to Montreal.
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