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 families, farmers and small businesses, took effect on Monday, Oct. 18. Highlights include new laws to provide access to life-saving insulin, offer property tax relief, expand access to quality child care and ban corporate contributions to political candidates.

“This legislative session posed unique challenges, but we were still able to accomplish so much. I am excited to see these news laws go into effect,” said Sen. Dill. “We worked hard to ensure that all the bills passed this session will improve the lives of Mainers.”

As chair of the Legislature’s Committees on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Sen. Dill spent much of this session working to pass new laws that help ensure the health of our soil for generations to come and that a member of Wabanaki Tribes is permanently represented on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council.

Other laws championed by Sen. Dill this year include a bill to eliminate online burn permit fees for all areas of the state. The online burn permit system is made possible by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service. Burn permits are available at maineburnpermit.com, required by law, and valid for 24 hours. Handwritten burn permits may also be obtained through local fire departments and town offices.

This year, lawmakers made good on long-standing commitments to Maine people and municipalities. Lawmakers funded K-12 education at 55 percent for the first time since Maine voters mandated it 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.