Legislative Council accepts Sen. Libby bills for consideration in 2020
The Legislative Council on Wednesday approved legislation from Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, for consideration in the 2020 session of the Maine Legislature.
“Senate Democrats led the way in the Legislature accomplishing a lot of positive things for Mainers in 2019, but there is more work to be done,” said Sen. Libby. “I’m ready to get to work on my bills to lower health care costs; relieve vital workers’ student debt burden; combat the climate crisis; increase access to health care; and help vulnerable young people continue their education, as well as to dig into the policies proposed by my colleagues.”
The bills include:
LR 2624, “An Act To Prohibit Insurance Carriers from Retroactively Reducing Payment on Clean Claims Submitted by Pharmacies,” which would prohibit a health insurance carrier from retroactively reducing payment on a properly submitted claim by a pharmacist. Protecting Mainers and pharmacies from unforeseen costs on something that had already been paid for. The issue was brought to Sen. Libby’s attention by a local, independently owned pharmacy.
LR 2803, “An Act to Provide Student Debt Forgiveness To Support Attraction and Retention of First Responders, Health Care Workers, and Teachers,” which would provide direct student debt relief, up to $10,000 per individual, to certain professionals who live and work in Maine for at least five years. Qualifying occupations will include teachers, first responders (EMTs, law enforcement officers, and including professional or volunteer firefighters with 300 hours of volunteer service annually), and home health care providers.
Two of the biggest financial challenges holding back Maine’s economy today are the growing workforce shortage and the student debt crisis. This bill will help Maine attract and retain workers who often must amass student debt as they pursue the education necessary to their careers and who are vital to Mainers’ health, safety, and future.
LR 2804, “An Act To Require the Installation of Solar Panels on or Adjacent to State-owned Buildings,” will increase the proportion of the energy use by the state that comes from solar by requiring that solar arrays be installed on or adjacent to as many state-owned buildings as possible over the next 10 years, helping Maine meet its clean energy goals as part of combating the climate crisis. Preference for installing the arrays would be given to Maine-based solar businesses.
LR 2862, “An Act To Increase High School Graduation Rates for Students Experiencing Homelessness or in Foster Care,” which would reduce barriers to graduation for homeless youth and youth in foster care who have experienced significant disruptions in their educations as a result. Currently, homeless students are 87 percent more likely to drop out of school, and only half of foster youth complete high school by age 18.
LR 2934, “An Act To Rename the University of Southern Maine the University of Maine at Portland and To Codify the Establishment of Lewiston-Auburn College,” which would update USM’s name to the University of Maine at Portland, to line up with the rest of the University of Maine System, and define in law that its Lewiston-Auburn campus is a branch of the institution.
USM recently confirmed plans to relocate the Lewiston-Auburn College to downtown Lewiston within the next few years, making it more accessible to area residents, employers, health care facilities, and organizations.
Bills submitted for consideration during the Second Regular Session, which begins Jan. 8, must be approved by a majority of the 10-member Legislative Council as emergency measures. The Council consists of the 10 elected members of legislative leadership, including Sen. Libby, who serves as Senate Majority Leader.
