Legislative Update: State Employees, Majority Sign Up, Cannabis & More

The Maine Legislature was running on all cylinders this past week and will be fast paced for the coming two weeks as legislators work to wrap up the session. Below are updates on some of our priority labor bills that are moving through the chambers.

LD 2121 An Act to Address Chronic Understaffing of State Government Positions would provide $165 million in funding for a new compensation and classification system for state executive branch workers and boost their wages to compete with the private sector. It would also require the Governor’s administration to report annually to the Maine Legislature on Executive Branch job vacancies. It would improve laws relating to recruitment and retention adjustments, and require the state to work with state employee unions to establish recruitment and retention programs targeting agencies experiencing chronic understaffing. Priority bill for Maine Services Employees Association (SEIU 1989)

Status: Passed the House, awaiting final votes and funding by the Appropriations Committee.

LD 2032 An Act to Improve Maine's Labor Laws by Changing the Laws Governing Elections of Collective Bargaining Agents for Certain Public Employees would expand the state’s card check law to include state employees, judicial employees and university, academy and community college employees. It would require public employers to recognize a union if a majority of workers in the bargaining unit sign union authorization cards.

Status: It’s the law! Passed House & Senate, signed into law by the Governor.

LD 1639 An Act to Address Unsafe Staffing of Nurses and Improve Patient Care will limit the number of patients that nurses must take on their daily assignments, based on patient need and the severity of a patient’s condition. Priority for Maine State Nurses Association/NNU.

Status: Passed Maine Senate, awaiting action by Maine House.

LD 2113 An Act to Provide Relief to Federal Employees Affected by a Federal Shutdown would provide state and federal employees with access to no-interest loans for up to $6,000 per employee during government shutdowns. Priority bill for federal workers, AFGE, Metal Trades Council at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, MSEA, AFSCME and others.

Status: Voted majority ought to pass out of committee. Awaiting action by Maine Senate and House.

LD 2273, An Act to Establish a State Minimum Hourly Wage for Agricultural Workers would make farmworkers eligible for the state minimum wage (currently at $14.15) per hour and grant them the right to take an action in court if their wages are stolen.

Status: House and Senate votes upcoming.

LD 2147 An Act to Change the Requirement for Edible Cannabis Products to Be Stamped or Embossed on Each Serving with a Universal Symbol would streamline regulations for cannabis businesses by exempting cannabis infused gummies, potato and corn chips, popcorn, pretzels and loose granola from the requirements that edible cannabis products be stamped, embossed or individually wrapped because it is impracticable. Priority bill for Maine Cannabis Union Association (IAM)

Status: passed the Maine House 102-36, awaiting action by Senate

LD 1464 An Act to Remove the Waiting Period for Benefits Under Maine's Unemployment Insurance System eliminates the arbitrary one week waiting period requirement for a person to be eligible for Unemployment benefits under the Employment Security Law.

Status: Committee voted majority ought to pass. Awaiting action by House & Senate.