Bill > LD1

Introduced Session

An Act to Increase Storm Preparedness for Maine's Communities, Homes and Infrastructure Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, the winter storms of December 18, 2023, January 9, 2024 and January 13, 2024 caused an estimated $90,000,000 of damage to public infrastructure and significant additional damage to private property, including homes, wharves and businesses; and Whereas, the damage demonstrates an urgent need for increased preparedness for improved resiliency from future extreme weather events; and Whereas, the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine Emergency Management Agency has obligated the existing balance of the Disaster Recovery Fund to fund the state match for funding for previously declared disasters and requires additional funding to fully fund the state cost share for funding for current open disasters; and Whereas, the Maine Emergency Management Agency currently lacks the capacity to apply for competitive hazard mitigation grant funds, improve much-needed statewide emergency systems and provide matching funds needed for United States Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster and hazard mitigation loan funds; and Whereas, in its November report to the Governor, the State of Maine Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission recommended a set of immediate actions to improve emergency communication, increase community resilience, prepare for future extreme weather events and increase public safety; and Whereas, county, municipal and tribal leaders, regional planners, state agencies and emergency managers at the state, county and local level lack up-to-date hydrological and sea level rise modeling data and are operating with outdated Federal Emergency Management Agency maps; and Whereas, only 1.3% of all homes and buildings in the State are covered under the National Flood Insurance Program, a number that has declined while people in the State who do have flood insurance are filing more claims; and Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Committee Categories

Mattie Daughtry (D)*,  Billy Bob Faulkingham (R),  Ryan Fecteau (D),  Trey Stewart (R), 

Governor's Action: Emergency Signed, Apr 22, 2025 (on 04/22/2025)

Official Document