Representative Walsh Innes of Yarmouth is a major piece of environmental legislation that expands the concept of establishing responsibility for end-of-life product recycling, an idea Maine has already applied to electronic products such as televisions and computers and is attempting to apply to the recovery of unused prescription drugs. This proposal would empower environmental officials to pursue any number of products sold in Maine.

Senate President Mitchell would require “large” businesses in Maine to provide up to 52 hours paid family sick leave a year, and half that amount for smaller firms. The bill’s expressed purpose is to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu virus, but the leave could be taken for numerous health and domestic violence-related purposes. Maine would become the first state to mandate paid family medical leave.

Representative Crockett of Augusta would allow a municipality to impose a local option sales tax of up to 3%, with 50% going to the municipality, 25% to the county, and 25% to the state general fund.

Representative Beaudette of Biddeford would amend Maine’s controversial law that requires proposed large retail developments to pay for special impact studies. The amendment would stipulate that the act applies only to permits or approvals for new construction and that a simple change of use permit would not require the study.

This bill replaces LD 1088 and incorporates changes suggested by Governor Baldacci. This bill has been passed and was signed by the Governor.

Representative Tuttle of Sanford would increase the Maine Minimum wage to $8.90 an hour in two steps by October 1, 2011. Presently, the wage is scheduled to increase from $7.25 to $7.50 an hour on October 1, 2009. Under the new proposal, it would increase to $8.20 an hour in 2010 and to $8.90 in 2011. At that point it would be placed on “automatic pilot” to be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.