Senate unanimously overrides veto of bill to improve Maine ferries

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate on Friday overrode Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill to remove unnecessary burden on island residents by allowing the transport of medical samples on Maine State Ferries.

The bill, LD 1468, “Resolve, to Improve the Safety of Ferries in the State,” was sponsored by Sen. Dave Miramant, D-Camden. It won the unanimous support of the Senate in an override vote.

LD 1468 would require the installation of lockboxes on state ferries to accommodate the transportation of medical samples and allowing medical personnel to access the lockbox. New marine safety protocols prohibit the informal system of shipping samples that had been in use for years. The bill’s provision will allow islanders to send diagnostic samples to mainland medical facilities without a time-consuming ride on the ferry, while meeting current safety requirements.

“I’m thankful that my Senate colleagues continued to support Maine’s island communities,” said Sen. Miramant. “This is a commonsense bill to make life a little easier for Maine citizens who live and make their livings on the sea. They told us that this bill was important to their health and quality of life, and I’m glad that we all listened, even if Gov. LePage did not.”

LD 1468 won the unanimous support of the Transportation Committee and the Senate, as well as strong, bipartisan support in the House of Representatives.

After the Senate vote, the House of Representatives also voted to override the veto, 113-32. The bill will now become law.

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