Participating in the Legislative Process, virtually!

 Given the challenges associated with large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Legislature is conducting much of its business via remote virtual meetings using the Zoom platform. Here is a guide to how you can participate in the legislative process this year.

 Submitting Written Testimony

Once a public hearing has been scheduled for a bill, you can submit written testimony to the committee via the State's online testimony submission system. On this page you will be asked to select the committee hearing the bill, then the date of the hearing, and then you will select the bill itself. You will then enter your testimony -- you can either upload a document or copy and paste into the testimony field. Using this online testimony submission portal ensures that all members of the committee, in addition to the clerk and analysts, receive your written remarks.

 Presenting Oral Testimony

You can register to give oral testimony using the same online testimony submission platform discussed above. When filling out the form, be sure to check the box that states "I would like to present my testimony live." This will ensure you receive the Zoom link for the public hearing. In order to testify live on a bill, you will need to sign up using this form at least 30 minutes prior to the posted start time of the hearing. Registrations received after that time will be accepted at the discretion of the committee chairs. 

 Monitoring Committee Meetings

If you simply want to watch committee proceedings, instead of giving oral testimony, you can choose to listen or watch either live or at a later time. 

Listen to audio of committee proceedings on the Maine Legislature website

Watch committee meetings via YouTube

 What to Expect When Participating in a Public Hearing via Zoom

After signing up to present your testimony live, you will receive an invitation to a Zoom meeting (Public Hearing) and will need to follow the link in that email to register. Once you have registered, you will receive another link generated by Zoom to join the meeting. Wait until the day of the meeting to click the link to join. A reminder will be sent to you on the morning of the meeting with the link attached. 

When you click the link to join the meeting, you will be in a “waiting room.” You will be able to see and hear the committee members and the proceedings, but you will not be seen or heard. The committee chairs and clerk will be watching who is in attendance in the waiting room. The chairs will also have a list of all who are scheduled to testify.  The chairs and clerk will admit people 2-3 at a time from the waiting room into the meeting to give their testimony. During the transition from the waiting room to the meeting, you will see a box with a blue spooling circle and a message saying “Joining.” Please be patient during this time, often this takes 5-7 seconds. When you can see the participants again, you will be in the meeting and will be able to see yourself on screen.

You should remain muted until you are called on to speak. The committee chair will indicate when it is your turn to give testimony. After you have given your testimony and answered any questions the committee may have, you will be returned to the waiting room. Expect the same 5-7 second delay on your return. When you can see the participants again, you are back in the waiting room. You should then leave the Zoom meeting. If you wish to continue watching the public hearing, you can do so on the committee’s YouTube channel.  

If you have questions about an upcoming public hearing, you can reach out directly to the committee clerk. Contact information for clerks can be found on each committee's page on the Maine Legislature website. 

Update for the First Regular and First Special Sessions of the 130^th Maine Legislature

Presenting the Legislative Digest of Bills and Summaries of Enacted Laws for the First Regular and First Special Sessions of the 130^th Maine Legislature.

The digest is posted on the page linked below where you can also find a digest for each individual committee.

https://mainelegislature.org/opla/130th-bills-and-enacted-law-summaries/11689

Tips for the Cold Winter Temperatures

Maine’s Energy Office has prepared a Winter Heating Guide to help Maine people stay warm this winter and know where to find assistance if needed. This includes steps to receive emergency fuel if necessary, sign up for automatic fuel delivery, or find support for energy bills or to help insulate your homes. If you need to order heating fuel, we advise contacting your supplier before your tank falls below one-third full, to give busy fuel delivery companies time to schedule your delivery.

Extended periods of low temperatures can result in frozen water pipes.

To prevent water pipes from freezing, try these methods:

• Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sink is on an exterior wall. (If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals from the open cabinets.)
• Let the cold water drip from a faucet of the exposed pipes. Running water through the pipes even at a trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night. A cold snap is not the time to set back the thermostat at night to save a few bucks on your heating bill.
• If you plan to be away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home and set to a temperature no lower than 55 F.
• For the long term, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas. To prevent drafts, seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and at sill plates where the house rests on its foundation.

If your pipes do freeze, you can safely thaw them with the following actions:

• Turn on the faucet. Running water through the pipe, as cold as it is, will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials). Do not use a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any device with an open flame as high heat can damage the pipes or even start a fire.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. Check all other faucets in your home to see whether you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
• Call a licensed plumber if you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe.

For additional preparedness and safety information please log on to www.MainePrepares.com or visit MEMA on Facebook or Twitter.

Maine State Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Program

Each and every year, tens of millions of dollars go unclaimed by Maine residents. These financial assets are turned over by thousands of national and local businesses and organizations. The Treasurer’s Office holds these assets, free of charge, until claimed by the owner or heir. Please use this website to search your name, your business, and the name of your friends and family. If you have time, help spread the word about this free service!

Visit their website here: Maine Unclaimed Property Official Website