|
Legislative Schedule of Public Hearings and Work Sessions
The Maine Legislature continues to perform joint standing committee public hearings and work sessions virtually via zoom.
To view the schedule for upcoming public hearings and work sessions, check out the Legislature’s website >>here<<.
To submit testimony and to sign up to testify live at a public hearing, visit >>here<<.
Free Fishing Weekend
Free Fishing Weekend is February 19-20. On these days, any person (except those whose license has been suspended or revoked) may fish without a license. All other laws and regulations apply on these days. Consider inviting a neighbor, friend, colleague, family member, or youth to join in on the fun!
Here are a few tips for introducing someone to ice fishing:
-
Target warm water species such as perch, chain pickerel, and bass for an action-filled day to help first timers get hooked.
-
Bring a warm drink or meal such as hot cocoa, hot dogs, or chili! The experience of being on the ice is what makes ice fishing memorable for many.
-
Make sure they dress warm and pack extra mittens, hats, and socks. Cold hands or feet can be a deal breaker, make sure they are dressed for the conditions and bring extra gear should something get wet. It's better to have too many layers than not enough.
-
Cards, a football, cornhole, and ice skates makes time between flags just as fun! Or, build a snowman (no extra gear necessary).
-
Keep kids engaged with a task. If the kiddo with you isn't quite ready to set a trap fully on their own, keep them engaged with their own responsibilities. It can be as simple as holding the skimmer, scooping the bait fish, or picking where the next whole will be!
-
Focus on the fun. For newbies, it isn't about a trophy fish... Avoid super long walks, and aim for a half day... anything beyond that is a bonus! Once they are hooked, you may just find them beating you to the ice in the morning.
Wondering where to go? Check out the February Fishing Report.
Maine’s Attorney General Announces Agreement for Distribution of Opioid Settlement Funds
Maine’s Attorney General announced today he has reached an agreement with litigating cities, counties, and school districts governing Maine’s use of proceeds from the National Opioid Settlements with distributors Cardinal, McKesson, and Amerisource Bergen and opioid manufacturers Johnson & Johnson. This agreement completes Maine’s acceptance of a settlement that was initially agreed to in August 2021. This settlement is estimated to bring as much as $130 million to Maine over an 18 year period to support state and local efforts to address the opioid epidemic.
The agreement between the Office of the Attorney General and the litigating cities, counties, and school districts directs the settlement funds as follows:
- 20 percent of the proceeds to the State, administered by the Office of the Attorney General, to address the epidemic;
- 30 percent of the proceeds to the 39 Maine counties and municipalities that either filed litigation against the settling companies or that have more than 10,000 residents;
- 50 percent to a Maine Recovery Fund that will be disbursed by a Recovery Council comprised of stakeholders who will make decisions on how best to maximize the impact of the funds on mitigating the opioid epidemic. The Recovery Council will include at least four members selected by cities and counties, two members appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House or his designee, the President of the Senate or his designee, and three members of the recovery community appointed by the Attorney General. Up to four additional members may be appointed by the Legislature.
- The Recovery Council has broad discretion on how to spend the funds on opioid abatement purposes but must allocate 3 percent of the funds to address abatement in special education programs.
Distribution of these settlement funds to Maine is expected to begin as soon as April 2022
This agreement will also govern the distribution of any proceeds received from ongoing opioid litigation with Purdue Pharma and Mallinckrodt.
Click here to access the Maine State-Subdivisions MOU and Exhibits Regarding Opioid Settlement Funds
Click here to access the MOU with School Districts Regarding Opioid Settlement Funds
The complete settlement agreements are available at www.maine.gov/ag
|
