Each legislative session, Maine Audubon closely follows bills related to our mission of protecting Maine wildlife and habitat. Below is a list of Maine Audubon’s 2023 Legislative Priorities, including both state and federal bills, with updates, important dates, and other information.
As always, we need the help of our members and supports to pass legislation. Reaching out to your state or federal representatives to let them know that their constituents support these bills is essential to gaining support and votes. Emails, phone calls, letters to the editor, oral testimony, and member meetings are all ways to get involved and make your voice heard. Stay up to date with the latest news by subscribing to our Action Alert system here, and learn some tips for effective citizen advocacy here. We’re so glad to have you involved.
| Bill Description | Summary | State or Federal | Maine Audubon Position | Latest Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Thoughtful Renewable Energy Siting Policies – LD 1227 | Funds dual-use agriculture/solar pilot projects. | State | Support | Public hearing 4/19/2023 – Maine Audubon Testimony. |
| Maine Trail Bond – LD 1156 | Would provide a boost in funding, up to $30M over four years, for non-motorized, motorized, and diverse-use trails utilized for recreation and/or active transportation across the state. | State | Support | |
| Supporting Tribal Sovereignty | Restores self-determination and self-governance for the Wabanaki Nations. | State | Support | The Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on Feb. 15 – watch here. Read a statement from the Wabanaki Nations here. |
| Blue Hill Falls Waterfowl SanctuaryLD 1919 | Would increase protections for waterfowl south of Blue Hill Falls. | State | Support | |
| Forest Advisory Board – LD 993 | Establishes stakeholder process to review the state of our forests, develop public policies, and provide input the State Forest Action Plan. | State | Support | Public hearing on March 20, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Funding LMF – LD 1285 | Extends funding for the popular Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program | State | Support | Public hearing on April 10, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Bill Description | Summary | State or Federal | Maine Audubon Position | Latest Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “The Offshore Wind Bill” – LD 1895 | Sets procurement schedule and other commitments to ensure safe and responsible wind development. | State | Support | Reported favorably out of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee on 6/7 |
| “Bringing Nature Home” Bill – LD 649 | An Act to Promote Water Conservation and Water Quality and Create Habitat for Wildlife, Including Pollinator Species, by Protecting Low-impact Landscaping | State | Support | Public hearing 5/8/2023 – Maine Audubon Testimony. |
| “Renewable Energy Mitigation Bill” – LD 1881 | The bill would create a compensation program to account for impacts to high value natural resources from renewable energy infrastructure | State | Support | Public hearing 5/10/23 before the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. – Maine Audubon Testimony. |
| Protecting Loons from Lead Poisoning – LD 958 | Phases out the sale of small-sized painted lead tackle. | State | Support | Public Hearing before the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee on 5/4. Read our op-ed in the Press Herald, and coverage in the Bangor Daily News. |
| Expanding Endangered & Threatened Species Habitat Conservation – LD 1246 | Expands the circumstances in which state agencies consult on strategies to avoid and minimize impacts to endangered and threatened species habitat. | State | Support | Passed on 6/6! – Read more here. |
| Developing Thoughtful Renewable Energy Siting Policies – LD 1227 | Funds dual-use agriculture/solar pilot projects. | State | Support | Public hearing 4/19/2023 – Maine Audubon Testimony. |
| Updating Maine’s Endangered Species Act – LD 57 | Proposes to add 8 species to be listed under Maine’s Endangered Species Act: Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Bicknell’s Thrush, Blackpoll Warbler, Saltmarsh Sparrow, Tricolored Bat, Ashton’s Cuckoo Bumble Bee, and Marginated Tiger Beetle. | State | Support | Signed into law on May 8! |
| Maine Trail Bond – LD 1156 | Would provide a boost in funding, up to $30M over four years, for non-motorized, motorized, and diverse-use trails utilized for recreation and/or active transportation across the state. | State | Support | |
| Supporting Tribal Sovereignty | Restores self-determination and self-governance for the Wabanaki Nations. | State | Support | The Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on Feb. 15 – watch here. Read a statement from the Wabanaki Nations here. |
| Blue Hill Falls Waterfowl SanctuaryLD 1919 | Would increase protections for waterfowl south of Blue Hill Falls. | State | Support | |
| BirdSafe Bill – LD 670 | Would require the state to develop guidelines to reduce bird collisions on state buildings. | State | Support | Passed on 6/6! – Read more here. |
| Northern Maine Transmission Infrastructure – LD 924 | Re: a badly-needed new transmission line in northern Maine that utilizes existing right-of-ways. | State | Support | Public hearing on March 21, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Plastic Bag Ban Repeal – LD 425 and LD 572 | Propose weaken or repeal Maine’s nation-leading, strong plastic bag policy. | State | Oppose | Public hearing on March 1, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony. The Committee voted to not move this bill forward. Victory! |
| Pine Tree Amendment – LD 928 | Proposes an amendment to the Maine Constitution to establish a right to a clean and healthy environment | State | Support | Public hearing on March 22, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Bottle Redemption Bill – LD 972 | Would develop recommendations to improve Maine’s popular 40-year-old bottle redemption bill. | State | Support | Public hearing on March 29, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Forest Advisory Board – LD 993 | Establishes stakeholder process to review the state of our forests, develop public policies, and provide input the State Forest Action Plan. | State | Support | Public hearing on March 20, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Siting Renewables on Contaminated Land – LD 1591 | Encourages the siting of renewable energy projects on contaminated land, including brownfields and areas contaminated by PFAS. | State | Support | Public hearing on April 20, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| State Butterfly Bill – LD 239 | Bill would establish the Pink-edged Sulfur as the Maine State Butterfly. | State | Support | Signed into law in May 2023! Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Funding LMF – LD 1285 | Extends funding for the popular Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program | State | Support | Public hearing on April 10, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Studying Wake Boat Impacts – LD 379 | Directs the state to study the impacts of wake boats on shoreline property (and not on wildlife impacts) | State | Oppose | Public hearing on March 22, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Protecting Wildlife from Wake Boat Impacts – LD 693 | Bill would expand the existing no-wake zone to 500 feet for boats designed to create large wakes. | State | Support | Public hearing on March 22, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |