An Act to Reduce Regulatory Costs for Maine Businesses (2009)
LD 347 would have established a council on private sector regulatory costs composed of individuals from private sector businesses. This narrow council would have had the power to erode Maine’s carefully crafted regulatory system in favor of a new regulatory regime for businesses based on broad principles rather than specific rules and regulations. Of additional concern, the council would have had the power to force staff from any state agency to work on council issues at the expense of responsibilities within their agencies. As a result, this bill had the potential to undermine the ability of Maine’s key environmental agencies – such as the Department of Environmental Protection – to protect our woods, waters, and wildlife.
