4/16/02-The Maine Legislature passed a bill April 9 that would link fuel tax increases to inflation. LD202 squeaked by the House (71-67) and the Senate (17-15). The bill would subject fuel tax increases to periodic review by the legislature with no tax increases this year. The bill awaits approval from Gov. Angus King.

2/15/02 - Higher fines for overweight trucks took effect Jan. 31, despite a protest by the logging industry. According to the organizers of the protest, the higher fines threaten the livelihoods of small-trucking businesses and the future of the state's wood products industry.
State officials say the higher fines approved last year are needed to protect Maine roads. Current law allows gross weights to 100,000 pounds on six axles on state highways.
While fines start at amounts above 100,000 pounds, the big increases kick in when a truck is overweight by 21 percent or more. For overweights of 21 to 30 percent, the fine is $1,530 for each percent over 20 percent plus $135. For overweights of 31 to 40 percent, the fine is $2,880 for each percent over 30 percent plus $150. For overweights of 41 percent or more, the fine is $4,380 for each percent over 40 percent plus $175.
A Maine Department of Transportation spokesman said the fines were increased to provide a deterrent to being excessively overweight.

8-2-01 -- The session ended June 22, 2001. The next session begins Jan. 2, 2002, for emergency bills only. For bill status information, call (207) 287-1400.

7/01/01 - Now that the legislature has passed LD1411, Maine truckers will have a new schedule for fines on overweight violations, and the state must conduct a one-year study on holding shippers and brokers responsible for overweight vehicles.
Lawmakers also passed LD1335, which will exempt owner-operators from Maine's unemployment compensation laws.
However, the cigarette recycling bill was snuffed out immediately. LD258 would have required a nickel deposit for each cigarette sold in Maine. The legislative session ended June 20.

5/14/2001 - A bill (LD1411) that would set new rules for truck weight was amended and approved by the Senate Transportation Committee on April 23 and now goes to the Senate floor with committee blessings. The amended bill proposes a new schedule of fines for overweight trucks and a one-year study on holding shippers and brokers responsible for overweight vehicles. Under the new fine schedule, penalties will be based on percentages in excess of permitted weights. The new schedule also increases minimum overweight fines.
Additionally, the bill would repeal an 80,000 gross vehicle weight limit for trucks hauling 53-foot trailers. The amendment reduces certain axle-weight fines for trucks hauling special commodities, specifically building materials that absorb moisture, removes certain repeat violator provisions from the original bill, and requires the Department of Transportation to study how to hold shippers and brokers responsible for overweight vehicles.
The legislative information office number is (207) 287-1692. The legislative session ends no later than June 20, 2001.

4/24/01 - Several bills addressing an increase in fines for exceeding weight limits were still alive at press time. The bills were opposed by truckers during the Transportation Committee's public hearing April 2. LD1411 proposes a new schedule of fines for overloading, with figures based on percentages in excess of permitted weights. Minimum fines separate from the percentage overweight would also be increased. Since the public hearing, the committee held working sessions April 3 and April 23, when a vote was expected. The legislative information office number is (207) 287-1692. The session ends tentatively June 20, 2001.

4/13/01 - State Representative Russell P. Treadwell (R-Carmel, ME) has proposed a bill that would exempt owner-operators from Maine's unemployment compensation laws.LD1335 will amend the current statute by adding to the list of exemptions: "Services provided by an owner-operator of a truck or truck tractor while leased to a motor carrier.
The bill was sent March 5 to the Committee on Labor. The office of legislative information's phone number is (207) 287-1692.

4/13/01 - If LD258 passes, cigarettes sold in Maine could cost you another $1 per package. State Representative Joseph E. Brooks (D-Winterport, ME) has proposed a bill requiring at least a nickel deposit per cigarette sold in Maine.
The bill establishes a system of deposit and redemption for used and discarded cigarette butts, referred to in the bill as "returnable tobacco products," and creates the Returnable Tobacco Produces Fund, a dedicated fund for use in the payment of deposits and redemptions and to hold funds not required for either purpose.
LD258 specifies that the manufacture will determine the deposit and refund value, which may not be less than a nickel per cigarette.
What's to keep people from turning in cigarette butts from other states for a refund? The bill also requires each cigarette to be sold in the state to be labeled. The refund value and the word "Maine" or the abbreviation "ME" will be embossed, stamped or labeled on each cigarette.
Cigarette butts will be returned to local redemption centers established and operated by individuals, cities, agencies or regional associations.
The bill was sent Jan. 30 to the Committee on Business and Economic Development. The office of legislative information's phone number is (207) 287-1692.