Source: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/notices/2018/042518.html
Timestamp: 2018-11-19 21:35:22
Document Index: 395123293

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 1904', '§565', '§ 2701', '§4741', '§4741', '§ 42', '§6071', '§6851', '§6171', '§ 8054', '§8072', '§6171']

April 25, 2018 Rulemaking Notice - State of Maine, USA
Home → Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions → Rulemaking → Weekly Notices → April 25, 2018
PUBLIC HEARING: May 15, 2018 - 1:00 p.m., DEP Response Training Room, 4 Blossom Lane (AMHI Complex), Augusta, ME
Part 2 of this rulemaking updates the Commission's standards relating to protected natural resources to ensure consistency, as required in statute, with the goals of the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA). The NRPA-related updates clarify the existing practice for rezoning areas that include wetlands, ensure consistent application of existing standards to wetland alterations in all zoning subdistricts, establish that filling and grading an acre or more in the General Management Subdistrict (M-GN) requires a permit, and contain other miscellaneous revisions to improve clarity and consistency with other related statutes and rules.
AGENCY: 12-179 - Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of Labor Standards (BLS), Board of Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH)
PROPOSED RULE NUMBERS: 2018-P078, P079, P080
CHAPTER NUMBERS, TITLES AND BRIEF SUMMARIES:
Ch. 4, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Firefighting in the Public Sector. The purpose of this chapter is to provide clarification and identify the minimum Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Firefighting in the Public Sector.
Ch. 6, Recording Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in the Public Sector.
The purpose of this chapter is to incorporate by reference rules governing the recording of occupational injuries and illnesses as promulgated by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration at 29 CFR Part 1904, most recently amended on March 1, 2018.
Ch. 7, Minimum Driver Training Requirements for Fire Apparatus. This standard identifies the minimum job performance requirements for career and volunteer fire fighters who drive fire apparatus in order to reduce accidents, injuries and loss of fire equipment.
COMMENT DEADLINE: May 25, 2018
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / DOL RULEMAKING LIAISON: Nina McLaughlin, Department of Labor, 54 State House Station, Augusta, ME 0433-0054. Telephone: (207) 621-5096. Email: Nina.McLaughlin@Maine.gov .
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THESE RULES: 26 MRS §565
AGENCY: 10-146 - Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 4, Public Access to Vital Records (Repeal and replace), and Ch. 8, Release of Restricted Vital Statistics Data (Repeal)
PROPOSED RULE NUMBERS: 2018-P081, P082
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services is proposing to repeal Ch. 4, Public Access to Vital Records, and Ch. 8, Release of Restricted Vital Statistics Data, and replace the two chapters by consolidating both into the proposed Ch. 4 entitled Disclosure of Vital Statistics Data, Reports and Vital Records.
The consolidation of both chapters clarifies the protocol for public access to and the specific release of all vital statistics data, reports and vital records retained by the Department of Health and Human Services. This rule is intended to better serve the public and municipal clerks through this consolidation and clarification. The proposed rule incorporates regulation for electronic submission, collection, preservation, certification, verification and the maintenance of the security and integrity of vital statistics data, reports and records.
PUBLIC HEARING: May 15, 2018 - 9 a.m., DRVS Conference Room, 220 Capitol Street, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011. The Department requests that anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the public hearing, contact the person listed below for this filing by May 18, 2018 .
COMMENT DEADLINE: May 28, 2018
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Bridget Bagley, Maine CDC Policy Analyst, 286 Water Street – 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0011. Telephone: (207) 287-9394. Email: Bridget.Bagley@Maine.gov .
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: The proposed rule clarifies standards for those requesting access to vital statistics data, reports and vital records from the Department. This rule includes procedures and requirements for municipal clerks to ensure the proper release of vital statistics data, reports and vital records, thus eliminating the possibility of releasing confidential and identifying information. The Department does not anticipate this rule will have any change in fiscal impact for municipalities or counties.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 22 MRS §§ 2701, 2706
WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/index.shtml .
DHHS RULEMAKING LIAISON: Kevin.Wells@Maine.gov
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 16, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rule (Repeal and replace)
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2018-P083
BRIEF SUMMARY: The rule repeals and replaces the current Ch. 16, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rule. The rule is the qualified allocation plan for allocating and administering the federal low-income housing tax credit in the State of Maine, including the State’s housing credit ceiling for calendar year 2019, as required pursuant to Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code.
DETAILED BASIS STATEMENT / SUMMARY: This rule is the qualified allocation plan for allocating and administering federal low income housing tax credits (“LIHTC”) in the State of Maine, which MaineHousing, as the State’s designated housing credit agency, is required to adopt pursuant to Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code and the above-referenced sections of the Maine Housing Authorities Act. This rule replaces the prior rule and includes the following changes:
* Cost containment cap changed from a Total Development Cost/Unit to a Total Development Cost Index with a per bedroom cost factor.
* Cap for New Construction projects changed to one category including family projects and non-family projects.
* Upper and lower limits for the New Construction cost containment category adjusted consistent with the new cap.
* Telemed requirement changed to allow for a plan for how Project will provide telemedicine services rather than separate room.
* High Opportunity Areas take into account quality education, healthcare, services, and economic activity.
* Monitoring Fee increased from $800 to $1,000 per credit unit.
* Self-scoring’s impact on scoring order eliminated.
* Acceptance of HUD Section 811 Project Rental Assistance moved from scoring criteria to threshold requirement.
* Points adjusted to accommodate removal of criteria and slightly greater/lessor focus in specific areas.
* Service Center Communities list updated.
* Allows for two consecutive years of submitting required reports past the deadline before losing of points.
PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. at Maine State Housing Authority, State House Station #89, 353 Water Street, Augusta, Maine, 04330-4633. Maine State Housing Authority’s office and the hearing room are accessible to persons with disabilities and, upon sufficient notice, appropriate communication auxiliary aids and services will be provided to persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency.
COMMENT DEADLINE: Friday, May 25, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / MAINEHOUSING RULEMAKING LIAISON: Linda Uhl, Chief Counsel, Maine State Housing Authority, 89 State House Station, 353 Water Street, Augusta, Maine, 04330-4633. Telephone: (207) 626-4600. Maine Relay 711. Email: luhl@mainehousing.org. Upon sufficient notice, this notice and the proposed rule will be made available in alternative formats for persons with disabilities and in alternative languages for persons with limited English proficiency.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 30-A MRS §4741(1); 30-A MRS §4741(14); Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: Same as above.
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 323, Maine General Assistance Manual, Rule #20P
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2018-P084
BRIEF SUMMARY: Rule #20P is being proposed to repeal and replace the Maine General Assistance (GA) Policy Manual. The majority of the content is the same, with changes primarily to its structure and organization as well as the removal of provisions that had no legal affect, such as training examples and certain rules and definitions that were duplicative of statute.
Legislation not previously incorporated into rule (but already applied in practice by the Department) is also included in the proposed rule. Specifically: the penalties for false representation were amended as per LD 722, and they have been updated in this rule. Additionally, effective July 1, 2015 the General Assistance reimbursement rate was changed in statute to 70% of direct costs. Previous rates were tied to a spending threshold based on the valuation of the municipality. All policy related to previous rates and valuation was removed. The reimbursement reporting schedule had been tied to the valuation threshold. The rule now requires a municipality to receive approval from the Department to change their reporting schedule.
The revised manual also clarifies several pieces of policy that had previously been, or potentially could be, misinterpreted. Specifically: “Presumptive eligibility” was clarified to allow shelters to provide (only) one night of stay prior to a client applying for General Assistance; the manual makes more clear that administrative costs are not reimbursable; and the manual defines a “new applicant” as one that has not applied for assistance in the last 12 months. The definition of “new applicant” now matches the MMA Model Ordinance.
The rule also makes policy changes designed to improve the administration of the program and to ensure program integrity. Specifically, it adds a requirement for municipalities to retain documentation verifying citizenship and asylum seeking status for a minimum of three years; it updates the section regarding Department-imposed penalties on municipalities to align with statute and provide a clear road map and set of guidelines for the Department to follow in determining whether and in what amount to impose statutory penalties for municipal non-compliance with GA statute or regulation.
Finally, the rule makes changes to fill in gaps or address issues that had arisen from the previous version of the manual. Specifically: Court-ordered alimony was added as an allowable expense; the manual now clarifies the difference between and defines “available” and “potential” resources; and the manual added MaineCare copays as an acceptable expenditure if deemed necessary by the municipal General Assistance Administrator.
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 332, MaineCare Eligibility Manual, MC Rule #287 (FPL-based Changes)
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2018-P085
BRIEF SUMMARY: This rulemaking removes FPL-based charts and references from the manual and replaces figures with the formulas used to determine the values. The rulemaking also includes formatting changes within the charts and manual. The reason for removing FPL figures from the manual is to avoid the need for annual FPL rule changes, conserving the Department’s resources.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Esther Bullard, MaineCare Program Manager, Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Family Independence, 19 Union Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0011. Telephone (207) 624-4178. Fax: (207) 287-3455. TT Users Call Maine Relay – 711. Email: Esther.Bullard@Maine.gov .
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 22 MRS §§ 42(1), 3173
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 24, Importation of Live Marine Organisms
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2018-P086
BRIEF SUMMARY: This rule-making proposes to amend Ch. 24 to make clarifying changes, including improving and creating definitions as necessary, using consistent terminology, and providing updates throughout the chapter. The rule-making also allows the Commissioner, in consultation with the Aquatic Animal Health Technical Committee, to issue permits to an approved quarantine facility from facilities that do not otherwise meet the regulation requirements, under certain limited circumstances. Transfer from a quarantine facility would be permitted only if post-import testing provides satisfactory evidence of freedom from pathogens of regulatory concern for which evidence of disease freedom of the import was not satisfied. The proposed rule allows for consideration of evidence other than direct testing of lots to provide evidence of disease freedom from Ceratomyxosis, Whirling disease, and PKD if importation will be only in the form of embryos that have been iodine disinfected before and immediately after import, prior to the time of introduction to the waters of the receiving facility.
PUBLIC HEARING: May 16, 2018 at 2:30 p.m., DMR Conference Room, Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Hearing facilities: If you require accommodations due to disability, please contact Meredith Mendelson at (207) 624-6553.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Amanda Ellis, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. Telephone: (207) 624-6573. Fax: (207) 624-6024. TTY: (207) 624-6500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). DMR Rulemaking Email: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov .
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §6071
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 25, Lobster and Crab: 25.70, Legal Lobster Tails
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2018-P087
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking would provide minimum (2.7 oz) and maximum (14 oz) weights for legal lobster tails in the shell for sale in Maine. Currently, the only measurement provided is the legal length of tail meat that has been removed from the shell. Providing a weight for tails in the shell will ensure that all retail and wholesale establishments are buying and selling only tails that are from lobsters that are of legal size in Maine.
PUBLIC HEARING: May 16, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., DMR Conference Room, Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Hearing facilities: If you require accommodations due to disability, please contact Meredith Mendelson at (207) 624-6553.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §6851-B
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 40, Smelt Regulations: 40.12, Taking of Smelts from the Coastal Waters of Maine
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2018-P088
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking would amend the smelt regulations for Zone One (1), which is the area from the New Hampshire border to Owl’s Head Light. In this Zone, the taking of smelt is currently allowed only by hook and line through the ice. This proposed regulation would also allow the taking of smelt in the fall (October 1 – December 31) by hook and line only. The existing four quart limit would apply.
PUBLIC HEARING: May 16, 2018 at 3:00 p.m., DMR Conference Room, Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Hearing facilities: If you require accommodations due to disability, please contact Meredith Mendelson at (207) 624-6553.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §6171
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual (MBM): Ch. III Section 29, Allowances for Support Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2018-062 (Final adoption, major substantive)
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Department is adopting this rule in accordance with PL 2017 ch. 284 (An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2019), §§ ZZZZZZZ-9, MMMMMMM-2, which provided funding to increase reimbursement rates for 16 procedure codes in Ch. III Section 29, and directed the Department – via major substantive rulemaking – to increase the rates for the specific procedure codes in equal proportion to the funding provided. The Department has also increased the rate for a 17th procedure code in order to create consistency among similar services within the waiver. These rates will be effective retroactive to July 1, 2017. Funding for these rate increases was only appropriated for SFY18. The Legislature did not appropriate additional funding for these rates beyond June 30, 2018; therefore, rates increased for SFY18 will revert to their current levels (pre-July 1, 2017) on July 1, 2018.
In accordance with Part III Section TTTT-1 of the Act and 5 MRS §§ 8054, 8073, the Department adopted an emergency major substantive rule effective October 1, 2017, and retroactive to July 1, 2017. The Department then engaged in proposed rulemaking for Ch. III Section 29, pursuant to 5 MRS §8072(1), provisionally adopting a rule on January 12, 2018, to make the emergency changes permanent. The Department submitted the provisionally-adopted rule to the Legislature, which authorized adoption of the rule pursuant to Resolves 2017 ch. 33. This emergency legislation was approved by the Governor and took effect on March 7, 2018. The October 1, 2017 Emergency Major Substantive Rule will expire upon the effective date of this rule — May 13, 2018.
In creating the rates for the codes covered by this rate increase, the Department examined utilization of these services, and then calculated rates to ensure parity between Section 29 and Section 21, to lessen administrative complications for providers.
In addition, the Department has added two procedure codes for Shared Living services. The Department adopted an emergency rule and subsequently a final adopted rule (effective December 28, 2017) for Ch. II Section 29 to add this benefit as a covered service for members. These rates are consistent with the rates for the same services under Section 21, and include increased rates for SFY18 that will revert to their current levels (pre-July 1, 2017) pursuant to PL 2017 ch. 284.
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 520, Tour, Charter and Water Taxi Services, and Unscheduled Freight Services in Casco Bay
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2018-063
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Public Utilities Commission adopts amendments to Ch. 520, the rule that governs unscheduled tour, charter, water taxi, and unscheduled freight services in Casco Bay. The revised rule amends the definition of charter service to address certain circumstances under which waivers have been granted for the provision of charter service, and promotes efficiency in the submission and review of applications through the Commission’s electronic case management system (CMS).
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON / PUC RULEMAKING LIAISON: Jamie A. Waterbury, Public Utilities Commission, 18 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Telephone: (207) 287-1360. Email: Jamie.A.Waterbury@Maine.gov .
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2018-065 (Emergency)
CONCISE SUMMARY: In order to remain within the State Waters Sub Annual Catch Limit, and to prevent the Allowable Biological Catch from being exceeded and Accountability Measures being triggered, Maine is taking this emergency action to reduce catch in the state waters halibut fishery by the following measures: 1) reducing the length of the state waters halibut season by ten days at each end of the season (resulting in a season of May 11 - June 20); 2) reducing the number of hooks from 450 to 250; and 3) imposing a prohibition on possession of halibut by those license holders who have been issued state commercial halibut tags when operating seaward of the territorial waters boundary. This action is intended to protect and conserve the halibut resource in compliance with the federal management plan. For these reasons, the Commissioner has determined that it is necessary to take this emergency action under 12 MRS §6171(3)(C).
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Amanda Ellis (207-624-6573), Department of Marine Resources, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. FAX: (207) 624-6024. TTY: (888) 577-6690 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). Email: Amanda.Ellis@Maine.gov .
DMR RULEMAKING EMAIL: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 41, Menhaden
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2018-066
CONCISE SUMMARY: This rulemaking establishes the management framework for the Atlantic menhaden fishery in territorial waters, including the state allocated fishery, the episodic event fishery, and an incidental catch/small scale fishery. The state allocated fishery will operate under the quota assigned to Maine by the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) until such time that the quota is near to or is achieved. Notification will be then given that this fishery is closed. The episodic event fishery may be subsequently opened by notice to license holders, provided there is sufficient evidence of substantial resource remaining in territorial waters. Both the state allocation fishery and the episodic event fishery will operate under a daily landing limit of 120,000 lbs and a weekly landing limit of 160,000 lbs with one landing per day allowed for both catcher and carrier vessels. Additionally for both state allocation and episodic event fisheries, vessels may only fish for and land menhaden from territorial waters Monday through Thursday. Daily reporting of Atlantic menhaden landings will be required for both the state allocated and the episodic event fisheries. An incidental catch and small scale fishery will commence after the closure of the state allocated fishery, or a subsequent episodic event fishery, with a daily landing limit of 6,000 lbs under gear restrictions. All fish must be immediately stored in barrels or totes upon harvest. For both the state allocation and episodic event fisheries, a transfer at sea to a vessel utilizing menhaden as bait is considered a landing event. No transfer of fish at sea will be allowed under the incidental catch and small scale fishery.