MSBA Legislative Update 02-06-09

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SCHEDULES HEARING

The proposed biennial budget (LD 353) has been formally introduced, and public hearings have been scheduled. The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee has scheduled a series of hearings starting on February 9th and going through March 6, 2009. A full listing of the hearing and the schedule may be found at http://www.maine.gov/legis/ofpr/appropriations_committee/schedule_agendas/biennial_ph_schedule-0209-030609.htm.

Of interest to MSBA will be the public hearing scheduled for February 10th at 1:00 p.m. relating to the proposed budgets for the Department of Attorney General, the Maine Human Rights Commission, the Judicial Department, and Pine Tree Legal.

For a full listing of hearings which will be of interest to all of the Sections, please check the website.

TAX REFORM BRIEFING PLANNED

The Taxation Committee will undertake a briefing relating to tax reform activity, including unsuccessful efforts by previous legislatures, and whether any efforts during the 2009 Session may be successful. The briefing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10th at 1:00 p.m. The Committee will also hold a briefing on the tax provisions contained in the current biennial budget. That briefing will be held on Wednesday, February 11th at 10:00 a.m. Both sessions are scheduled to be held in Room 127 of the State House.

LEGISLATIVE DATABASE

A link to an updated legislative database is below for your information. It contains any newly introduced bills that we have identified of interest to the MSBA, along with updated status listings of previously introduced bills.

Click here for your Legislative Database.

Click here for a text document of this report.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions:
Pattie Aho at 207-622-6311 or paho@pierceatwood.com