📝 E-Newsletter from Representative Mark Blier

Alert to Corporations and Non-Profits Regarding Misleading Solicitations

Maine corporations have recently received misleading solicitation mailings with an offer to file annual reports for the corporation, for a $185 fee.

The Secretary of State is reminding all corporate and non-profit entities that the Division of Corporations does not mail out the annual report form.

The "solicitation form" looks similar to the Division of Corporations' annual report form, but it is not prescribed or recognized by the Maine Department of the Secretary of State and this mailing does not come from the departments Division of Corporations. Maine corporations have received similar solicitations in recent years from entities operating under various names.

The legal deadline to file the 2020 annual reports with the Secretary of States office is June 1, 2020 and corporate entities can file those reports online at https://icrs.informe.org/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS beginning January 1, 2020.

Any corporation that has questions about the solicitation or form is encouraged to obtain advice from a lawyer or business advisor. In addition, those with questions can contact the Maine Division of Corporations at (207) 624-7752 for information about corporate annual report and other business entity filing requirements under Maine law.

Maine Snowmobile Trail Maps

View the updated Maine Snowmobile Map which provides snowmobilers general information about snowmobiling in Maine.

The Maine Snowmobile Association (MSA) is an organization of approximately 28,000 family members and 2100+ business members supporting over 285 affiliated non profit snowmobile clubs throughout the state.

The Trails depicted on this map were derived from the Maine Snowmobile Association. The trail information is for reference purposes only, may change frequently, and may not always be shown in the correct location. Please contact the local snowmobiling clubs for more detailed information about trail systems in that region. You can also View the List of Regional and Local Snowmobile Maps.

Non-Real ID Licenses are Valid for All In-State Transactions

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles is clarifying the language on all driver's licenses and State identification cards that are not compliant with the federal Real ID Act.

As of July 1, 2019, the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles is offering Maine residents the option of obtaining drivers licenses and State identification cards that comply with the Federal Real ID Act of 2005. However, many Mainers are still choosing to renew their standard license or ID cards. As required by federal law, those cards have been marked as non-compliant, with the phrase "Not for Real ID purposes." This phrase has caused confusion for some retailers who refused to accept these credentials for everyday transactions.

While credentials issued with the Not for Real ID purposes language continue to be valid, the BMV is seeking to clarify their validity by updating the language appearing on these non-compliant credentials. As of today, drivers licenses and State ID applicants who choose not to get a Real ID-compliant credential will see the new wording: Not intended for federal purposes.

The federal government is requiring States to use language on these IDs that can be confusing for those who are not familiar with the Real ID law. We believe this change to the disclaimer on non-compliant Maine licenses and IDs will help eliminate some of the confusion for retail cashiers, pharmacists, bank tellers and others who must review customers identification before completing a transaction, said Secretary Dunlap. We are hopeful that updating the language will make it clearer that these credentials, while not compliant with the Real ID Act, are still valid for all State identification purposes.

Beginning October 1, 2020, the federal government will require Real ID-compliant identification for domestic air travel or access to secure federal facilities. However, this will not affect the validity of the non-compliant ID for all other purposes.

Any person who has obtained a license or ID since July 1, 2019 with the older language (Not for Real ID purposes) is reminded that their ID will continue to be valid for in-state purposes. They can contact the BMV to obtain an informational wallet card https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/licenses/RealID.InfoCard.August2019.pdf , which they can present to cashiers and others to explain the IDs validity. Those who desire a non-compliant credential with the new language can order a duplicate license or ID at any BMV location or via the online renewal/replacement service https://www.maine.gov/online/bmv/dlr/ .

To learn more about Real ID compliance in the State of Maine, visit https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/licenses/realid.html.

Now Through Mid-April is the Time to Eliminate Browntail Caterpillars

Helpful tips from State of Maine Entomologists

Entomologists from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry are reminding everyone that now is the best time to remove browntail caterpillars from trees. Browntail caterpillars cause a poison ivy-like rash and they are impacting a broad swath of Maine. Contact with this caterpillar's hairs can cause severe reactions for some individuals.

Browntail caterpillars spend the winter webbed in silken wrapped leaves on the tips of hardwood branches, especially oak and fruit trees. Now through mid-April is when to look for the bright white silk tying a few leaves to the tips of oak and fruit tree branches.

If you see a web, clip it out and destroy it by dropping it in a bucket of soapy water and soaking it overnight; do not leave it on the ground. The caterpillars become active as soon as warmer weather arrives, so do this task as soon as possible. It is also important to clip webs before mid-April because of the increased risk of toxic hair exposure.

Browntail caterpillar webs are found in Maine from the New Hampshire border to Deer Isle, and inland to Raymond, Turner, Rome, Smithfield, Burnham and Eddington. The moths have been seen as far west to Kingfield, north to Ashland and east to Topsfield, on the New Brunswick border.

For more than 100 years, Maine people have known that "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," when it comes to browntail moths. Learn how to recognize browntail moth webs by visiting the websites below, then go and check your trees for their presence. If you find them and can reach them, clip and destroy them. If they are out of reach, now is the time to call and schedule professional help.

Survey a public space in your town: If you think you have found webs, but are not sure, contact the Maine Forest Service for help. Additional advice may be obtained from your nearest Cooperative Extension office or Soil & Water Conservation District.

Background information: A video showing how to clip the webs, a list of arborists who can prune webs out of your reach and a list of licensed pesticide applicators can be found at https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/browntail_moth_info.htm

For More Information: Call 211 (or 1-866-811-5695) or text your zip code to 898-211.