Legislative/Nominating Committee

Legislative/Nominating MEMBERS Committee Meeting - February Mayor Mark Dion, Chair 10, 2026 Agenda Councilor Benjamin Grant Councilor Kate Sykes February 10, 2026 REMOTE ACCESS INFORMATION: This meeting will be conducted remotely via Zoom pursuant to the Remote Meeting Policy adopted by the Portland City Council. If you are not able to attend live either in person or via Zoom, a recording will be available in the Agenda Center following the meeting. For public comment via Zoom, you will need to use the "raise your hand" feature. You will be unmuted by the host. https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/j/86071479795?pwd=Zg14RcmaHXh9CfsydL9yzyWHtpMIpd.1 I. Call to Order II. Approval of Meeting minutes a. Legislative/Nominating Committee Meeting - January 13, 2026 III. Legislative Update a. Review LD List and Tracker (Bernstein Shur) IV. Other Business a. LD 2106 - An Act to Prohibit the Disclosure of Nonpublic Records Without Proper Judicial Review b. LD 2196 - An Act to Lower Health Insurance Costs, Reduce Barriers to Health Care and Ensure Fair Prices for Health Care (Human Resources) c. LD 2124 - An Act to Support Emergency Shelter Funding Using Revenue from the Real Estate Transfer Tax (Health & Human Services) d. LD 2040 - An Act to Survey Food Insecurity in Maine (Health & Human Services) e. LD 2135 - An Act to Provide Funding to Keep Maine Veterans Housed (Health & Human Services) f. LD 2112 - An Act to Authorize Municipalities to Form Community Choice Aggregation Programs to Procure Electricity (Sustainability) g. LD 2119 - An Act to Expand Reimbursement for Treatment in Place, Community Paramedicine and Alternate Destination Transport (Fire Department) V. Adjournment 1 Page 1  2 Page 2 Legislative/Nominating MEMBERS Committee Meeting Mayor Mark Dion, Chair December 15, 2025 Councilor Ben Grant Councilor Kate Sykes I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8:09 am. In attendance were Mayor Mark Dion, Councilor Kate Sykes, Councilor Ben Grant, Councilor Sarah Michniewicz, City Manager Danielle West, Special Assistant to the City Manager Max Wilder, Kate Knox (Bernstein Shur), and Lisa Prosienski (Bernstein Shur), Alysia Melnick (Bernstein Shur). II. Approval of Meeting Minutes Mayor Dion made a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting, moved by Councilor Sykes, seconded by Councilor Grant, vote (3-0). III. Legislative Update a. Follow-up from December 15, 2025 Legislative/Nominating Committee Meeting b. Review LD List and Tracker (Bernstein Shur) Mayor Dion made a motion to support LD 2051; moved by Councilor Sykes, seconded by Councilor Grant, vote (3-0). Mayor Dion made a motion to add LD 1870 to the tracker, seconded by Councilor Grant, vote (3- 0). IV. Other Business V. Adjournment Mayor Dion made a motion to adjourn the meeting, moved by Councilor Grant seconded by Councilor Sykes vote (3-0). The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 am. Page 3 Memorandum To: Portland, City of From: Bernstein Shur Date: February 4, 2026 Re: New Legislative Bills Report Please find below the new legislative documents (LD) printed this week that we have flagged to be of possible interest to your organization. Please indicate to us which bills you would like included on your tracking report. Thank you. LD 2119 (HP1434) An Act to Expand Reimbursement for Treatment in Place, Community Paramedicine and Alternate Destination Transport Page 4 Memorandum To: Portland, City of From: Bernstein Shur Date: January 14, 2026 Re: New Legislative Bills Report Please find below the new legislative documents (LD) printed this week that we have flagged to be of possible interest to your organization. Please indicate to us which bills you would like included on your tracking report. Thank you. LD 2164 (HP1453) An Act to Assist Communities with Converting Vacant School Buildings into Housing Page 5  City of Portland Legislative Tracking Report 1/30/2026 Page 1 of 4 132nd Legislature - Second Regular Session LD # Category Bill Title Sponsor Cmte Bill Information COP Position Public Hearing Work Session Status Notes Priority LR # 25 Bond An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Sen Brenner AFA Bill Text 4/10/25 Carried over 6/25/25 160 Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment 1:00 PM Facility Planning and Construction of Rm 228 SH Infrastructure Projects (Bond) 560 Bond An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Sen Bailey AFA Bill Text Support 4/10/25 Testimony submitted 1923 Issue to Improve Coastal Climate Resiliency 1:00 PM (Bond) Rm 228 SH Carried over 6/25/25 690 Bond An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Sen Pierce AFA Bill Text Support 4/9/25 Testimony submitted 308 Issue to Provide Funding for Affordable and 10:00 AM Low-income Housing Programs (Bond) Rm 228 SH Carried over 6/25/25 826 Bond An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Sen Pierce AFA Bill Text 4/17/25 Chair Lentz is researching. 1987 Issue to Establish the School Energy Savings 1:00 PM Revolving Loan Fund (Bond) Rm 228 SH Carried over 6/25/25 836 Bond An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond President AFA Bill Text Support 4/15/25 Bernstein Shur is to monitor. 1677 Issue to Upgrade Municipal Culverts at Daughtry 1:00 PM Stream Crossings (Bond) Rm 228 SH Carried over 6/25/25 32 Energy An Act to Repeal the Laws Regarding Net Sen Guerin EUT Bill Text Oppose 2/27/25 1/6/26 Voted Written testimony in opposition submitted 75 Energy Billing 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 1/6/26 Rm 211 COB Rm 211 COB MAJ: OTP-AM Troy Moon reports possible $1M loss to MIN: OTP-AM City Not rpt out Carried over 6/25/25 1017 GA An Act to Include Food Provided or Served Sen Talbot Ross HHS Bill Text 4/7/25 5/15/25 Councilor Grant testified_City submitted Yes 2300 at Emergency Shelters in General Assistance 10:00 AM 1:00 PM legislation Reimbursement Rm 209 COB Rm 209 COB Meeting requested by Sen. Talbot Ross Carried over 6/25/25 1996 GA An Act to Clarify Responsibilities of the State Sen Ingwersen HHS Bill Text 1/29/26 LNC voted to add to tracker and lobbying 2801 in the Laws Governing General Assistance 10:00 AM team will research Rm 209 COB 111 Health An Act to Increase the State's Share of Rep Dodge LBR Bill Text Support 2/12/25 3/5/25 Carried over 6/25/25 176 Insurance Retired Teacher Health Insurance 10:00 AM 11:30 AM (Emergency) Rm 202 COB Rm 202 COB 140 Homestead Tax An Act to Incrementally Increase the Sen Baldacci TAX Bill Text 3/19/25 4/1/25 Carried over 6/25/25 354 Homestead Property Tax Exemption 9:30 AM 1:00 PM Rm 127 COB Rm 127 COB 264 Homestead Tax An Act to Remove the 12-month Waiting Rep Hepler TAX Bill Text 3/5/25 3/18/25 1/13/26: Staff recommended NFNA and 612 Period for the Maine Resident Homestead 10:00 AM 1:00 PM LNC’s position, to monitor Property Tax Exemption Rm 127 SH Rm 127 SH 12/15, LNC has not yet taken a position; staff will provide feedback Carried over 6/25/25 Page 6  City of Portland Legislative Tracking Report 1/30/2026 Page 2 of 4 132nd Legislature - Second Regular Session LD # Category Bill Title Sponsor Cmte Bill Information COP Position Public Hearing Work Session Status Notes Priority LR # 438 Homestead Tax An Act to Allow Municipalities to Limit Rep Hymes TAX Bill Text 5/6/25 1/8/26 DEAD 12/15, LNC has not yet taken a position; 1411 Nonprofit Property Tax Exemptions 3:00 PM 10:00 AM lobbying team will take stock and follow up Rm 127 SH Rm 127 SH Carried over 6/25/25 1424 Housing An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond President AFA Bill Text Support 4/10/25 Testimony submitted 1358 Issue for Investment in Workforce Housing Daughtry 1:00 PM and Raise Certain Income Eligibility Limits in Rm 228 SH Carried over 6/25/25 the Affordable Homeownership Program (Bond) 1443 Housing An Act to Ensure the Financial Stability of Sen Bennett HHS Bill Text Monitor 4/14/25 5/15/25 Carried over 6/25/25 1363 Behavioral Health Service Providers and 1:00 PM 1:00 PM Housing Assistance Providers (Emergency) Rm 209 COB Rm 209 COB 2135 Housing An Act to Provide Funding to Keep Maine Sen Nangle VLA Bill Text Track/ 1/21/26 1/13/26: Landlord incentives for housing 2883 Veterans Housed Monitor 10:00 AM veterans Rm 437 SH 2164 Housing An Act to Assist Communities with Rep Gere HED Bill Text 2846 Converting Vacant School Buildings into Housing 2173 Housing An Act to Update the Laws Regarding Rep Collamore HED Bill Text 2757 Housing Developments and Accessory Dwelling Units (Emergency) 35 MaineCare An Act to Strengthen Local Emergency Sen Curry HHS Bill Text 4/17/25 9/9/25 ONTP Carried over 6/25/25 241 Medical Services by Increasing the 1:01 PM 2:15 PM Reported out MaineCare Reimbursement Rate for Rm 209 COB Rm 209 COB 9/16/25 Ambulance Services (Emergency) 34 Other An Act to Increase the Minimum Salary for Sen Pierce EDU Bill Text Monitor 2/26/25 5/12/25 Monitor; Defer to school board 233 Teachers 10:00 AM 10:00 AM Rm 208 COB Rm 208 COB Carried over 6/25/25 245 Other An Act to Implement the Recommendations Sen Ross CJPS Bill Text 2/10/25 5/15/25 1/11/26 Held by the Governor 7/8/25 202 of the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study 10:30 AM 1:30 PM Public Law Emergency Medical Services in the State Rm 436 SH Rm 436 SH Ch. 520 (Emergency) 574 Other An Act to Improve Labor Conditions for Sen Tipping LBR Bill Text Monitor Carried over 6/25/25 2334 Workers in the State 605 Other An Act to Provide Solutions for Sustainable Rep Campbell ENR Bill Text Monitor 5/15/25 Tabled Carried over 6/25/25 7 Management of Municipal Solid Waste 1:00 PM 5/15/25 Rm 216 COB 634 Other Resolve, to Establish the Commission to Rep Tuell SLG Bill Text Monitor 3/19/25 4/2/25 Carried over 6/25/25 816 Study the Reduction of Unfunded and 10:00 AM 1:00 PM Outdated Municipal and County Mandates Rm 214 COB Rm 214 COB 799 Other An Act to Report Gender Wage Gaps Rep Roeder LBR Bill Text 3/12/25 3/19/25 Staff to research before taking a position 1179 10:30 AM 1:00 PM Rm 202 COB Rm 202 COB Carried over 6/25/25 Page 7  City of Portland Legislative Tracking Report 1/30/2026 Page 3 of 4 132nd Legislature - Second Regular Session LD # Category Bill Title Sponsor Cmte Bill Information COP Position Public Hearing Work Session Status Notes Priority LR # 1870 Other An Act to Establish a Climate Superfund Cost Sen Brenner ENR Bill Text 5/5/25 1/28/26 Voted Carried over 6/25/25 2359 Recovery Program to Impose Penalties on 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 1/28/26 Climate Polluters Rm 216 COB Rm 216 COB MAJ: OTP-AM MIN: ONTP Not rpt out 2040 Other An Act to Survey Food Insecurity in Maine Rep Pluecker ACF Bill Text 1/7/26 1/27/26 Voted 1/13/26: Consistency in info re food 2744 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 1/27/26 insecurity Rm 214 COB Rm 214 COB OTP-AM Not rpt out 2051 Other An Act to Ensure Access to the Rep Pluecker HHS Bill Text 1/14/26 1/13/26: SNAP for lawfully present 2773 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 1:00 PM immigrants; Maggie preparing testimony in Maine Rm 209 COB for Mark's signature 2079 Other An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Rep Gere HED Bill Text 1/20/26 1/27/26 Voted 2639 Municipal Reporting on Residential 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1/27/26 Buildings Rm 206 COB Rm 206 COB MAJ: OTP MIN: ONTP Not rpt out 2106 Other An Act to Prohibit the Disclosure of Rep Sato JUD Bill Text 1/29/26 2/5/26 2939 Nonpublic Records Without Proper Judicial 1:00 PM 1:00 PM Review (Emergency) Rm 438 SH Rm 438 SH 2119 Other An Act to Expand Reimbursement for Rep DeBrito HHS Bill Text 2/11/26 2793 Treatment in Place, Community 10:00 AM Paramedicine and Alternate Destination Rm 209 COB Transport 2137 Other An Act to Modify Provisions of Law Sen Nangle TRA Bill Text 1/22/26 1/13/26: Lobbying team to investigate bill 2938 Governing Parking Enforcement on Property 10:00 AM Accessible to the Public (Emergency) Rm 126 SH 1665 Property Tax An Act to Provide Property Tax Relief to Sen Carney TAX Bill Text Support 5/1/25 Work session Testimony submitted 1107 Maine Families 1:00 PM reconsidered Rm 127 SH 5/22/25 Carried over 6/25/25 1177 Public Health Resolve, to Study the Public Health and Rep Gramlich ENR Bill Text Oppose 4/9/25 4/30/25 Testimony submitted 1210 Environmental Risks from Synthetic Turf 10:00 AM 1:00 PM (Title change) Rm 216 COB Rm 216 COB Carried over 6/25/25 2042 Public Notice An Act to Eliminate the Requirement for Sen Black SLG Bill Text 1/21/26 2/4/26 1/13/26: Staff recommendation is to 2804 Municipalities to Provide Public Notice in a 11:00 AM 9:00 AM support and that is now the COP position; Newspaper Rm 214 COB Rm 214 COB lobbying team will develop testimony in support of LD 2042 12/15/25, LNC has not yet taken a position; staff will provide feedback 1259 Public Safety An Act to Enhance Public Safety in Maine by Rep Rana JUD Bill Text Support 5/19/25 6/4/25 Testimony submitted 2275 Defining the Relationship Between Local and 1:00 PM 2:00 PM Federal Law Enforcement Rm 438 SH Rm 438 SH Carried over 6/25/25 2062 Safety An Act to Enhance the Safety of Public Sen Pierce TRA Bill Text 1/15/26 1/29/26 Voted 2647 Transit Bus Operators Through the 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 1/29/26 Installation of Vehicle Security Barriers Rm 126 SH Rm 126 SH OTP-AM Not rpt out Page 8  City of Portland Legislative Tracking Report 1/30/2026 Page 4 of 4 132nd Legislature - Second Regular Session LD # Category Bill Title Sponsor Cmte Bill Information COP Position Public Hearing Work Session Status Notes Priority LR # 2121 Safety An Act to Enhance the Safety of Rep Faircloth JUD Bill Text 1/20/26 2650 Judicial and Elected Officials, 1:00 PM Constitutional Officers and the Rm 438 SH State Auditor by Allowing Certain Personal Information to Be Removed from Designated Public Records 1892 School An Act to Establish Procedures for School Rep Brennan EDU Bill Text Support 5/9/25 1/21/26 Tabled 1/13/26: Testimony support-lobbying team 903 Construction Construction Projects 10:30 AM 10:01 AM 1/21/26 to work with COP on testimony Rm 208 COB Rm 208 COB Carried over 6/25/25 2124 Shelter An Act to Support Emergency Shelter Rep Gattine HED Bill Text 1/13/26: Investigate impact of LD 2124, re: 2746 Funding Using Revenue from the Real public records Estate Transfer Tax 1694 Tax An Act to Provide an Income Tax Credit for Rep Riley TAX Bill Text Monitor 5/16/25 1/8/26 DEAD Carried over 6/25/25 72 Certain Disaster Mitigation Projects for 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Working Waterfront Property Rm 127 SH Rm 127 SH Page 9