This week was a quieter one for MFPC at the State House, providing a bit of preemptive relief from what looks to be a busy second session. That being said, a quiet week still entailed monitoring at least 10 bills and the Environment and Natural Resource Committee’s Triennial Water Quality Review. On Monday, the MFPC signed on to a coalition letter to the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee opposing LD 1870, “An Act to Establish a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to Impose Penalties on Climate Polluters.” The Committee took up the bill on Wednesday and have scheduled another work session for Wednesday, January 21 at noon.
On Tuesday, the Judiciary Committee held a work session for LD 1761, “An Act to Prohibit Indemnification Agreements.” This bill was introduced last year in the HCIFS and went through the committee process before being reassigned to the Judiciary Committee. Our members took a variety of positions on this consequential legislation, so MFPC remained neutral. Our “Neither For Nor Against “testimony focused on scenarios for the committee to consider as they worked the bill. The Judiciary Committee unanimously voted “Ought Not to Pass”, but encouraged proponents to bring the bill back in the future with a narrowed scope. Also on Tuesday, some of our staff attended the Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry’s Commissioner’s Luncheon and Annual Agricultural Trades Show and were pleased to have the opportunity to chat with members, policymakers, and others about the importance of the forest products industry.
In regulatory news, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) presented the recommendations of the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) to the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee at the Legislature regarding the Triennial Review of Maine’s Water Quality Classification System and Related Standards. Upgrading either river prematurely would have significant and irreversible ramifications on all industrial and non-industrial dischargers. For more information, see last week’s newsletter that is linked here. The ENR Committee will meet on Wednesday January 21, at 10:00 to discuss a committee bill on the basis of the report.
PLEASE JOIN US IN STRONG SUPPORT OF LD 2044
As you will see listed below, on Tuesday the Tax Committee will consider LD 2044, “An Act To Allow For The Transferability Of The Biofuel Production And Renewable Chemicals Tax Credits.” MFPC strongly supports this bill, which would retool an existing tax incentive that has not yet been utilized in a way that would make it more beneficial for where we are at in establishing biofuel manufacturing today. Currently, there are three companies that have expressed interest in establishing a biorefinery in Maine (Castlerock in Millinocket, Biofine in Lincoln and DG Fuels in Limestone). These projects are currently in the capital raising phase, which makes this legislation timely and important. If successful, the proposed biofuel projects in Lincoln and Millinocket alone would provide additional diversity for our heritage industry, with demand equal to approximately 35 truckloads of wood per day in a region that has suffered from the loss of multiple mills. Our testimony is linked here for those who would like to learn more. We hope that you will consider joining us, or submitting testimony electronically, in strong support of LD 2044. Details are provided below, and as always, please reach out if you need assistance.
There are a number of worthy bond requests this session, including the CLT bond and the Ag and Forestry bond listed on the schedule below. Members are encouraged to consider submitting testimony for all related bond issues, if they are so inclined.
As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you all for lending your help and expertise so far this session.
Legislative Update: January 16, 2026
