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Good morning from Augusta,
This week, Chuck Ames, PLC President, Andy Irish, PLC Treasurer, Ben Grant, Deputy ED, and myself were in Washington, DC along with five other PLC members from Vermont for the annual American Loggers Council Fly-In. We had productive meetings advocating for our priority federal legislative issues with members of the Maine Congressional delegation.
In addition to our priority issues, tariffs were the other hot topic of conversation. In response, we reiterated our message of, “we need to wait and see what happens,” on wood production, but did let the delegation know that the price increases on equipment/parts are very concerning. Wood and lumber were part of the USMCA trade agreement from 2017 and are exempt from the new tariffs, but softwood lumber from Canada is still subject to the 14.5% softwood lumber duties. I understand this is an important topic to you all and I will keep you updated on this issue as we know about the impact on the industry.
Turning our attention back to Maine, our priority for this upcoming week is concentrated on our truck sales tax exemption bill. LD 1313, An Act to Promote Equity in the Forest Products Industry by Allowing Commercial Wood Haulers to Be Eligible for Certain Sales Tax Exemptions and Refunds, which has been scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, April 9th at 1:00 PM in the Taxation Committee. LD 1313, will provide a permanent sales tax exemption on log trucks, trailers, service trucks, and pick-up trucks used primarily in commercial wood harvesting. This bill would provide a tremendous benefit to logging and trucking companies that are in desperate need of financial relief but also so you can reinvest in your businesses.
We need PLC members to testify in favor of this bill, either in person or via Zoom, to convince members of the Taxation Committee that this legislation is vital to keep this industry operating.
The link to register to testify via zoom or to submit written testimony is HERE and you can find talking point to assist with your testimony HERE. If you do plan to testify, please let Ben Grant know via email at ben@plcloggers.org. You are also encouraged to tell your story about how this sales tax exemption would be beneficial to your business as members of the committee prefer to hear how the legislation will have an impact on the industry directly from business owners.
In addition to LD 1313, we will be supporting LD 1212, Resolve, to Study Opportunities for the Efficiency Maine Trust to Support the Promotion and Use of Modern Wood Heating. This bill sponsored by Senator Matt Harrington (R-York) would require the Efficiency Maine Trust, in collaboration with the Department of Economic and Community Development, to work with representatives of the modern wood heating system industry to study and make recommendations relating to programs and incentives encouraging the promotion and use of modern wood heating systems in the State.
Modern wood heating systems and wood energy play a pivotal role in Maine’s pathway to reduce its reliance upon fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality, and establishing new markets. The use of wood over heating oil provides a significant carbon offset as it is carbon neutral and does not introduce new GHG’s in the atmosphere. Logging contractors are struggling to find markets for their low-grade wood and this is one way we can show our support for a technology aimed at opening up new markets for low-grade wood.
You can also follow along this session with our most recent bill tracker that can be found here.
If there are issues affecting your businesses, big or small, we want to hear about them.
Hope you have a great weekend,
Dana
If you are interested in testifying on any piece of legislation no matter the subject, please reach out to Ben Grant and he would be happy to assist you. He can be reached on his cell at 207-598-6223 or his email at ben@plcloggers.org. Senators and Representatives like to hear from the people in their districts as it helps provide knowledge to shape policy decisions.
Last Week’s Legislative Activity – March 31 – April 4, 2025
Tuesday, April 1
LD 1252, An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board, Rep. Allison Hepler (D-Woolwich), Public Hearing – Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee (Support)
This bill modifies provisions of the law governing the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board and disbursements from the Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Investment Fund, which the advisory board oversees.
The PLC supported a similar bill last year sponsored by the Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross (now Senator Talbot Ross); however, it was not acted upon before the session ended and died.
The PLC testified in support of LD 1252. Our testimony can be found here.
Wednesday, April 2
LD 588, An Act to Enact the Agricultural Employees Concerted Activity Protection Act, Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Cumberland), Public Hearing – Labor Committee (Oppose)
This bill enacts the Agricultural Employees Concerted Activity Protection Act, which gives agricultural employees of agricultural employers the right to engage in certain concerted activity.
Forestry employees are included in the language, but we have reached out to the sponsor, and we believe it is not her intent to have us included. We have asked her to amend the bill. If the bill is not amended, we will be in opposition.
Next Week’s Legislative Activity – April 7 – April 11, 2025
Monday, April 7
LD 1210, An Act to Regarding Renewable Electricity Generation by Hydropower Projects, Sen. Brad Farrin (R-Somerset) Public Hearing – Environment and Natural Resources Committee (Support)
This bill amends the laws regulating the Department of Environmental Protection's process for approving or disapproving a permit for a hydropower project and for issuing or denying a water quality certification for a hydropower project as required under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It requires the department, in determining whether to approve or deny a permit, or issue or deny a water quality certification, to consider the effect of that approval, disapproval, issuance or denial on the State's renewable energy, decarbonization and economic development policies and goals; the environmental and economic benefits to the State of the hydroelectric generation provided by the project; and, taking those factors into consideration, whether approval of the permit or issuance of the certification for the project is permissible notwithstanding the project's effect on wildlife habitat and aquatic life within the waters affected by the project, including affected waters downstream of the project.
Wednesday, April 9
LD 1212, Resolve, to Study Opportunities for the Efficiency Maine Trust to Support the Promotion and Use of Modern Wood Heating, Sen. Matt Harrington (R-York) Public Hearing – Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee (Support)
This bill sponsored by Senator Matt Harrington (R-York) would require the Efficiency Maine Trust, in collaboration with the Department of Economic and Community Development, to work with representatives of the modern wood heating system industry to study and make recommendations relating to programs and incentives encouraging the promotion and use of modern wood heating systems in the State.
LD 1275, An Act to Promote the Production of Natural Resources Bioproducts by Amending the Renewable Chemicals Tax Credit, Rep. Dan Sayre (D-Kennebunk) Public Hearing – Taxation Committee (Support)
This bill amends the law governing the renewable chemicals tax credit to remove the requirement that the taxpayer must demonstrate to the Department of Economic and Community Development that at least 75% of the employees of the contractors hired or retained to harvest renewable biomass used in the production of renewable chemicals meet the eligibility conditions specified in the Employment Security Law.
LD 1313, An Act to Promote Equity in the Forest Products Industry by Allowing Commercial Wood Haulers to Be Eligible for Certain Sales Tax Exemptions and Refunds, Sen. Brad Farrin (R-Somerset) Public Hearing – Taxation Committee (Support)
More information on this bill can be found above.
LD 556, “An Act to Preserve Heating and Energy Choice by Prohibiting a Municipality from Prohibiting a Particular Energy System or Energy Distributor”, Sen. Matt Harrington (R-York) Work Session – State and Local Government Committee (Support)
This bill prohibits municipalities from prohibiting an individual or entity from using a heating or energy system for that individual's or entity's own heating or energy needs, including the heating or energy needs of a motor vehicle, or engaging the services of a person or energy distributor of that individual's or entity's choice unless the prohibition is otherwise authorized by statute. The PLC testified in support of LD 556.
Thursday, April 10
LD 261, “An Act Regarding the Authority of Municipalities to Regulate Timber Harvesting”, Rep. Stephen Bunker (D-Farmington) Work Session – ACF Committee (Support)
This bill clarifies that the definition of "timber harvesting activities" under the forest practices laws does not include activities that result, within 5 years of the completion of such activities, in a change of land use.
The bill provides that a municipal timber harvesting ordinance must adopt definitions for forestry terms that are consistent with definitions in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 8868 and with forestry terms adopted by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry pursuant to Title 12, chapter 805, subchapter 3-A.
The bill provides that municipal ordinances subject to review by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Forestry are limited to ordinances that regulate timber harvesting activities. The bill provides that a timber harvesting ordinance adopted on or after September 1, 1990 and prior to January 1, 2026 must meet the requirements of Title 12, section 8869, subsection 8 by June 30, 2029.
The bill provides that a municipal timber harvesting ordinance may be adopted only after certification by the bureau that the municipality adopted the timber harvesting ordinance in accordance with Title 12, section 8869, subsection 8. The bill also requires a municipal timber harvesting ordinance to be pursuant to and consistent with a comprehensive plan adopted by the municipal legislative body.
The bill clarifies that the centralized listing of municipal ordinances maintained by the bureau applies to ordinances that specifically apply to timber harvesting activities and updates certain requirements of the clerk of a municipality to report timber harvesting ordinances to the bureau.
The PLC testified in Support of LD 261. Our testimony can be found here.
LD 402, ”An Act to Move the Natural Areas Program from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and to Amend the Law Governing Administration of the Bureau of Resource Management Within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife”, Rep. Jim Dill (D-Old Town) Work Session – ACF Committee (Support)
This bill would move the Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP), which is currently administered by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW). The PLC provided testimony in support of LD 402. Our testimony can be found here.
This bill was tabled in committee because landowners do not want the commissioner to adopt rules to regulate plants and natural areas and place them on a database which could include property owner information.
LD 1252, “An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board”, Rep. Allison Hepler (D-Woolwich), Work Session – Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee (Support)
More information on this bill can be found above.
Friday, April 11
LD 1305, An Act to Improve Access to Transportation to Work for Forestry Workers and Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers, Sen. Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) Public Hearing – Transportation Committee (Oppose)
This bill allows a forestry worker or migrant and seasonal farm worker who meets federal driver qualifications and possesses a valid or recently expired driver's license in the worker's home country to operate a motor vehicle in this State for the purpose of driving workers between the workers' lodgings and work sites each day. If a worker provides documentary evidence that the worker meets the driver qualifications under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 26, section 643, subsection 1, paragraph B and possess a valid or recently expired driver's license from the operator's home country, the Secretary of State is required to issue the worker a temporary driver's license. The license issued to a forestry worker or migrant and seasonal farm worker is considered a Class B license and is valid only for driving workers between the workers' lodgings and work sites each day.
This bill was submitted to help support a farmer in Aroostook County and should not apply to forestry workers. The PLC will oppose this bill unless it is amended to remove forestry workers.