Laws championed by Sen. Dill take effect

AUGUSTA — A series of non-emergency laws sponsored and championed by Sen. Jim Dill, D-Old Town, that support Maine children, seniors, families and small businesses went into effect on Monday, August 8. Highlights include measures to combat high-energy prices, improve access to health care and prescription drugs, promote economic opportunity and support working families, seniors and veterans.

“This session, my colleagues and I worked hard to pass laws that would benefit as many Mainers as possible,” said Sen. Dill. “I am privileged to work with such driven individuals, and to have the opportunity to fight for Mainers against unfair practices, while providing the stepping stones to take Maine into the future as a state that is stronger than ever.”

As Chair of the Legislature’s Committees on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Sen. Dill championed new laws to help aid farmers who have been negatively affected by PFAS, otherwise known “forever chemicals.” He voted to establish a PFAS trust fund to support mitigation and remediation efforts, protect Maine landfills from out-of-state waste dumping and provide drought relief for Maine farmers.

This year, Sen. Dill also prioritized tax breaks for working families and older Mainers, which included permanently expanding the Property Tax Fairness Credit and increasing the income tax exemption for retirees. Building off of the historic investments in education from the previous year, Maine lawmakers established the Education Rainy Day Fund to ensure the state continues to fund K-12 public education at the 55 percent threshold mandated by voters at the ballot box in 2004.

All non-emergency laws take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die unless otherwise specified. Emergency measures, including provisions adopted as a part of the supplemental budget, take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.

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