Laws championed by Sen. Craig Hickman take effect
AUGUSTA — A series of non-emergency laws sponsored and championed by Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, took effect today, Oct. 18. These bills support Maine workers, farmers and small businesses. Additionally, they aim to protect the right to vote and ensure that all Mainers have equal protection under the law. Highlights include new laws to improve consistency in terminology in the Maine Human Rights Act, expand unemployment compensation, and implement an online voter registration system.
“I am incredibly proud of the work we did this legislative session, and I’m excited to see these new laws go into effect,” said Sen. Hickman. “I have always fought to strengthen our communities and make life better for people. The laws taking effect today accomplish just that. From improving access to the ballot box to initiating studies to ensure that dangerous chemicals are not negatively impacting our land and water, these bills work to make Maine an even better home for all who live here.”
As Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Labor and Housing, Sen. Hickman spent much of this session working to pass new laws that help working Mainers. These laws created a working group to study public pension options and improved the unemployment insurance system by increasing the amount of wages a person may receive while still being considered partially unemployed.
Other laws championed by Sen. Hickman this year included proposals to establish an eviction mediation program that would help prevent homelessness, reform payments to Legislators from PACs to prevent Legislators from using PACs as personal slush funds and make permanent improvements to our election laws.
This year, lawmakers also made good on longstanding commitments to Maine people and municipalities. Lawmakers funded K-12 education at 55 percent for the first time since Maine voters mandated at the ballot box in 2004 and signed off on a plan to fully restore revenue sharing by 2023. Maine lawmakers also voted to send $300 as a “hazard bonus” to eligible Maine workers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All non-emergency laws take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die unless otherwise specified.
