CAMDEN — Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, is moving fast as she makes introductions in Augusta, and presents legislation reflecting constituent wishes. The 129th Maine Legislature is Doudera’s first term at the capitol, and with five of her six initiatives now bills, it is time to for her advocate for them in various committee hearings.

Doudera, who represents Camden, Islesboro and Rockport, sits on the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, where, she said: “we tackle policy relating to energy resources, efficiency and conservation, natural gas, renewables, Maine’s energy mix, telecommunications, emergency services and water and sewer utilities. Over the past few weeks we have had several public hearings on net versus gross metering, micro grids, Connect ME, and more. I recently took part in meetings and a press conference regarding the formation of a consumer-owned electric utility to replace Central Maine Power and Emera.  I feel it is an idea worth exploring, given CMP’s rate fiasco and both utilities’ high cost of electricity, especially when compared to any of Maine’s consumer-owned utilities already in operation.”

Some of her bills are environmental in scope whiles other pertain to concerns she heard while on the campaign trail. One of the most controversial concerned the state-owned ferry service connecting Islesboro to the mainland.

Islesboro legally challenged the 2018 decision by the Maine Department of Transportation to dramatically increase ferry ticket prices for the Lincolnville Beach-Islesboro crossings, and Doudera picked up the mantle from her predecessor, former Rep. Owen Casas, in advocating for Islesboro in Augusta.

Doudera introduced L.D. LD 380, An Act to Revise the Calculation of Tolls Established for the Maine State Ferry Service. Its intent is to restructure the ticket prices and requires the DOT, by rule, to establish ferry tolls for each route of travel that are based upon the cost of service for vehicles, freight and passengers, and allows the department to provide discounted tolls for frequent usage of the Maine State Ferry Service.

The bill also requires that the Marine Highway account must fund 100 percent of the capital costs and no more than 75 percent of the operating costs of the Maine State Ferry Service.

“We are waiting for the public hearing date to be announced on this,” said Doudera.

She has met with the new Department of Transportation Commissioner, Bruce Van Note, along with Islesboro Selectman Gabe Pendleton and others.

“Gabe did a great job outlining the history of the ferry situation and the Commissioner (and three of his staff) listened and asked questions,” said Doudera, in an open letter to Islesboro. “The Commissioner said he favors collaboration over confrontation and knows there needs to be a reset/do-over of the current situation.”

Maine State Ferry Service Manager Mark Higgins also weighed in on the issue in an mid-February open note to Islesboro:  “I am writing to inform you that as a result of the Commissioner’s Review of the tariff rulemaking process, the lawsuit, and legislative interest, that Maine DOT should take a fresh look at the rate structure and other issues. The are no preconceived notions of what the result of that fresh look will be, but we will undertake it with the full collaboration with the Maine State Ferry Advisory Board. This review could take the better part of this year.

“As you may know, The Commissioner has substantial history working on Ferry Service issues when he was Deputy Commissioner. He understands how the MSFS is a lifeline to these island communities. We look forward to reengaging and problem-solving together.”

Other initiatives Doudera has introduced for the 129th session include:
 LR 1114 --An act to Amend the Shoreland Zoning and Natural Resources Protection Act Regulations to Allow Nonmotorized Community Recreation Trails in the Shoreland Zone.

This initiative comes at the request of Camden-Rockport Pathways Committee members who are behind an effort to create the Camden Riverwalk alongside the Megunticook River. Current shoreland zoning laws require setback for waterbodies for trails.

‘This bill aims to help communities throughout the state create pathways along scenic river and waterfronts without violating existing laws, and grew out of several discussions I had with Camden-Rockport Pathways Committee,” said Doudera. “Last week I met with the Maine DEP’s Shoreland Zoning coordinator and a director to hear their thoughts on the bill.  I’ve amended it to address their concerns and am waiting for it to come back from the Revisor’s Office.  When that happens, I will ask Legislators facing similar challenges with trails in their districts (Skowhegan, Portland, Oxford, etc) to co-sponsor with me.”

Doudera said in conversation that she understands the environmental concerns and reasons for vegetative buffers to prevent erosion and to protect pristine areas.

LD 102, is An Act to Improve the Manufacturing of Plastic Bottles and Bottle Caps

This bill is currently before the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and has been tabled, said Doudera.

If approved, it would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2020, a manufacturer from selling, offering for sale or distributing for sale in the State a single-use plastic beverage container unless the container is composed of at least 15 percent postconsumer recycled plastic, according to its summary. Beginning January 1, 2022, this threshold for the percentage of postconsumer recycled plastic in single-use plastic beverage containers increases to 20 percent and, beginning January 1, 2024, the threshold increases to 25 percent.

The bill also prohibits a manufacturer from selling, offering for sale or distributing for sale in the State a single-use plastic beverage container with a plastic beverage cap unless the cap is composed of the same plastic as the beverage container and the cap is tethered to the container in a manner that prevents the separation of the cap from the container when the cap is removed or the cap includes an opening from which the beverage can be consumed while the cap remains screwed onto or otherwise affixed to the container.

“Following the bill’s public hearing, I am continuing to work on a strategy to reduce this pervasive type of plastic pollution, perhaps by getting the beverage companies to fund an education campaign,” said Doudera.

She said that at least seven bills were submitted this session addressing plastic pollution.

LD 646, An Act to Improve Trust with Regard to Home Visitation by the Department of Health and Human Services by Requiring that Visits be Videotaped

“I met with a constituent at length regarding ways to improve trust between the Department of Health and Human Services and parents, especially with regard to home visitations,” said Doudera, explaining the origin of this bill. “Based on input from many stakeholders, I've submitted a bill to require the videotaping of home visits involving parents and DHHS representatives.”

This bill requires Department of Health and Human Services staff who visit the home of a child to investigate or assess an allegation of abuse or neglect to videotape all interviews conducted during the visit.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services on Feb 7, 2019.

LD 379, An Act to Protect Children by Requiring the Safe Storage of Loaded Firearms

“During my campaign I learned that while New Hampshire and other states already have child access prevention and safe storage laws in place, Maine, a state in which more than half our homes have guns, does not,” said Doudera. “These are simple yet important measures to prevent firearms from falling into young hands and could also impact our state’s high rate of youth and teen suicide. (Suicide Is the fourth leading cause of death for youths ages 10 to 14 and the second leading cause of death for Mainers between 15 and 34.)”

The bill summary states that it: “creates the Class E crime of unlawful storage of a firearm, which a person is guilty of if the person stores or leaves on premises under the person's control a loaded firearm; the person knows or reasonably should know that a child is likely to gain access to the loaded firearm without the permission of the child's parent or guardian; and a child in fact gains access to the loaded firearm and uses the loaded firearm in a reckless or threatening manner, uses the loaded firearm during the commission of a crime or recklessly or negligently discharges the loaded firearm.

“The bill also requires a firearm dealer to post a warning at each purchase counter regarding the need to secure firearms from unauthorized use.”

The Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety is considering this bill, with no report out, yet. No public hearings or work sessions have been listed for this bill.

Doudera had introduced an LR concerning the tax imposed on residents of private care facilities, such as Quarry Hill, but a similar bill had also been introduced by Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, LD 892: An Act To Exempt MaineCare Appendix C Private Nonmedical Institutions from the Service Provider Tax.

The bill repeals the service provider tax for so-called MaineCare Appendix C private nonmedical institutions, which are residential care facilities maintained wholly or partly for the purpose of providing residents with medical and remedial treatment services, according to its summary. The service provider tax continues to apply to private nonmedical institution services that are provided by MaineCare Appendix B, D, E or F private nonmedical institutions.

“Private payers are being required to pay an extra tax, over and above what other Maine residents are asked to pay, in addition to their usual Maine taxes,” said Doudera, in support of the bill.

She had been approached by the family (including this reporter) of residents in assisted living who are required to pay a lodging tax in addition to their full room and board at the facility. 

It is before the Committee on Taxation and is scheduled for a public hearing, Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at 1 p.m., at the State House, Room 127.

Doudera’s other bills include a sunscreen bill cosponsored with Sen. Cathy Breen.

“Many Maine schools do not allow children to carry sunscreen or apply it without a note from their parents or a visit to the school nurse, and this bill, which has passed in several other states and was suggested by a local dermatologist, aims to remove these barriers,” said Doudera. “Sunburns in childhood are a leading cause of many skin cancers, including melanoma.”

She also is a cosponsor of  LD 259: An Act To Require the State To Meet the Mandatory 55 Percent Contribution to Schools and said she fully supports An Act To Fully Fund and Restore State-Municipal Revenue 

“Gov. Janet Mills’ budget provides some financial breathing room for districts by increasing funding for the Homestead Act, to provide tax relief to lower income taxpayers in high-value towns,” said Doudera. “The budget also increases revenue sharing, which would provide more money to municipalities, and ease budget pressures from districts that turn to taxpayers when their state revenue shrinks.”

Reach Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657