Table of Contents *Please note that all supplements may not be taken up. Those items not considered today will generally reappear on the printed calendar of the next legislative day.
House Calendar COMMUNICATIONS ORDERS SPECIAL SENTIMENT CALENDAR Recognizing: In Memory of: ORDERS OF THE DAY UNFINISHED BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 SENATE PAPERS SUPPLEMENT NO. 2 SENATE PAPERS SUPPLEMENT NO. 3 SENATE PAPERS Maine House of Representatives 2 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0002 Tel. (207) 287-1400

Maine State Seal

The House Calendar

The Advance Journal and Calendar of the House of Representatives

5th Legislative Day

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Calling of the House to Order by the Speaker.

Prayer by Pastor Glenn Peterson, Hope Baptist Church, Manchester.

National Anthem by Sharon Hood, Pittsfield.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Medical Provider of the Day, Lisa Letourneau, MD, MPH, Portland.

Reading of the Journal of Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

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COMMUNICATIONS

(2-1) The Following Communication: (H.C. 358)

STATE OF MAINE

CLERK'S OFFICE

2 STATE HOUSE STATION

AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0002

January 18, 2024

Honorable Rachel Talbot Ross

Speaker of the House

2 State House Station

Augusta, Maine 04333

Dear Speaker Talbot Ross:

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310, the Committee on Housing has approved the request by the sponsor, Representative Blier of Buxton, to report the following "Leave to Withdraw:"

L.D. 387 An Act to Promote Affordable Housing by Providing a Tax Exemption for Housing Choice Vouchers

Sincerely,

S/Robert B. Hunt

Clerk of the House

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ORDERS

(4-1) On motion of Representative MILLETT of Cape Elizabeth, the following Joint Resolution: (H.P. 1390) (Cosponsored by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland and Representatives: BELL of Yarmouth, DODGE of Belfast, DOUDERA of Camden, GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach, Senator: BRENNER of Cumberland)

JOINT RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE LEGISLATURE’S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO THE GOALS OF THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT AND SUPPORT OF THE FOSSIL FUEL

NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY

WHEREAS,the scientific consensus is clear that human activities are primarily responsible for accelerating global climate change and that the climate crisis now represents one of the preeminent threats to global civilization;and

WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, reported in 2018 that we must achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions, or GHGs, by the middle of this century in order to have a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius; and

WHEREAS, the IPCC released its Sixth Assessment Report from Working Group II, which was approved by 195 member states, in February 2022, which notes that there is high confidence that “the rise in weather and climate extremes has led to some irreversible impacts as natural and human systems are pushed beyond their ability to adapt”; and

WHEREAS, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called the Working Group II report “an atlas of human suffering... according to current commitment, global emissions are set to increase almost 14 percent... It will destroy any chance of keeping 1.5 alive... coal and other fossil fuels are choking humanity”; and

WHEREAS, changes to the State’s climate are already being felt, including such impacts as rising seas, an increased number of high heat days, increasingly frequent high intensity rain events and dramatic ocean heat waves in the Gulf of Maine that threaten natural ecosystems and the maritime economy; and

WHEREAS, the entire State is affected by the health and safety risks of fossil fuel expansion, particularly those who also face socioeconomic and health inequities, including low-income families; those experiencing homelessness; Black persons, indigenous persons and people of color; youth;seniors; those experiencing mental and physical disabilities; and people with health conditions; and

WHEREAS, our youth and future generations have the most to lose from a lack of immediate action to stop fossil fuel expansion as they face major and lifelong health, ecological, social and economic impacts from prolonged and cumulative effects of climate change, including food and water shortages, infectious diseases and natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, the Paris Climate Agreement remains silent on coal, oil and gas, an omission with respect to the supply and production of fossil fuels, which are the largest source of GHGs, that needs to be collectively addressed by other means; and

WHEREAS, global governments and the fossil fuel industry are currently planning to produce more than double the amount of coal, oil and gas by 2030 than can be burned if the world is to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avert catastrophic climate disruption, and such plans risk undoing the work of the State to reduce GHGs; and

WHEREAS, the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure and expanded reliance on fossil fuels exposes communities to untenable risks to public health and safety at the local and global levels; and

WHEREAS, the economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel extraction and use; and

WHEREAS, the State is committed, as part of our climate emergency response, to a just energy transition and to ambitious investments in the green infrastructure and industries that will create jobs and rapidly decarbonize our economy; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes that it is the urgent responsibility and moral obligation of fossil fuel producers to lead in putting an end to fossil fuel development and to manage the reduction of existing production; and

WHEREAS, a new global initiative calling for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty would end new fossil fuel exploration and expansion, phase out existing production in line with the global commitment to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and accelerate equitable transition plans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED: That We, the members of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, express our support for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, urge the United States Government to support a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty and express our support for the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and the GHGs reduction targets as called for by the IPCC.

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(4-2) On motion of Representative LAJOIE of Lewiston, the following House Order: (H.O. 36)

ORDERED, that Representative Lucas John Lanigan of Sanford be excused Jan 3 for personal reasons, and Jan 9 for health reasons.

AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that Representative Sheila A. Lyman of Livermore Falls be excused Jan 9 and 11 for personal reasons.

AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that Representative Rebecca J. Millett of Cape Elizabeth be excused Jan 3, 9 and 11 for health reasons.

AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that Representative Daniel J. Newman of Belgrade be excused Jan 3 for personal reasons, and Jan 9 for health reasons.

AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that Representative Sophia B. Warren of Scarborough be excused Jan 3 for health reasons.

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SPECIAL SENTIMENT CALENDAR

In accordance with House Rule 519 and Joint Rule 213, the following items:

Recognizing:

(5-1) Donald Gallupe, of Bangor, who is celebrating his 100th birthday on February 6, 2024. We extend our congratulations and best wishes;

(SLS 1330)

(5-2) Anita Tarr, of Washburn, who has received the Boston Post Cane, an honor given to the oldest citizen of a municipality. We extend our congratulations and best wishes;

(SLS 1331)

(5-3) Jacqueline R. Murphy, of Portland, who is celebrating her 80th birthday on February 18, 2024. We extend our congratulations and best wishes;

(HLS 736)

Presented by Representative BAGSHAW of Windham.

Cosponsored by Senator CHIPMAN of Cumberland, Senator DUSON of Cumberland, Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland, Representative BRENNAN of Portland, Representative COLLINGS of Portland, Representative CROCKETT of Portland, Representative LOOKNER of Portland, Representative MOONEN of Portland, Representative SKOLD of Portland, Representative ZAGER of Portland.

In Memory of:

(5-4) Vera Jane (McCollough) Piper, of Kennebunk. For many years, Ms. Piper worked as a research microbiologist in a variety of university and government laboratories throughout the Southeast. She also owned two office and art supply stores in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, which she operated with her best friend of 50 years, Carole Paulett. She taught biology at Shenandoah University to undergraduates in the university's pharmacy and allied health programs. Later in life, she began to draw and experiment with color pencils and watercolors, producing well over 100 pieces, including many detailed botanical drawings. She taught art classes for The Center in Kennebunk and was a featured artist at the Kennebunk Free Library's Speers Gallery in the spring of 2023 at the age of 82. Ms. Piper will be long remembered and sadly missed by her family and friends and all those whose lives she touched;

(SLS 1332)

(5-5) Barbara Estina (Sprague) Hinckley, of Belfast. A pianist and accompanist from the age of eleven, Mrs. Hinckley led a life of song and music. Though she worked full time and raised two children, music remained central to her life as it had in her childhood home, as pianist, organist, choir director and soloist while a minister's wife for many years. Possessing a clear, coloratura soprano voice, she studied in her 30s with Metropolitan Opera coach Vincent Hubbard, who retired to Belfast, learning the Bel Canto method, then teaching students herself until the age of 98. She performed as a soloist her whole career and performed with the Worcester Chorus, among other choruses. Mrs. Hinckley will be long remembered and sadly missed by her family and friends and all those whose lives she touched;

(SLS 1333)

(5-6) Donald A. Cormier, of Sanford. Mr. Cormier was a veteran of the United States Army, serving for 2 years, mostly in Korea. He worked as a mechanic for Mr. Joe Gagnon for 35 years. He then worked at Portland Naval Shipyard until his retirement in 1992. He was a Third Degree Knight in the Sanford Knights of Columbus. Mr. Cormier will be long remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 70 years, Therese, his family and his friends;

(HLS 735)

Presented by Representative MASTRACCIO of Sanford.

Cosponsored by Senator HARRINGTON of York, Representative FREDERICKS of Sanford, Representative LANIGAN of Sanford.

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ORDERS OF THE DAY

HOUSE CALENDAR
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The following matters, in the consideration of which the House was engaged at the time of adjournment, have preference in the Orders of the Day and continue with such preference until disposed of as provided by House Rule 502.

1. HOUSE DIVIDED REPORT - Majority (8) Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-31) - Minority (5) Ought Not to Pass - Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES on RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Establish a Right to a Clean and Healthy Environment

(H.P. 575) (L.D. 928)