An Act to Provide Relief to Small Businesses Affected by Severe Weather-related Events
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2191
Committee Amendment CA_A_S661 (Senate)
Amends: 5 MRSA §13056-K, 5 MRSA §13056-L

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " ^ " to S.P. 930, L.D. 2191, "An Act to Provide
Relief to Small Businesses Affected by Severe Weather-related Events"
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
'An Act to Provide Relief to Small Businesses, Landowners and Logging Contractors
Affected by Severe Weather-related Events'
Amend the bill in the emergency preamble in the 3rd paragraph in the last line (page
1, line 6 in L.D.) by inserting after the following: "State" the following: ', and that loss of
revenue experienced by those small businesses constitutes an emergency
Amend the bill in the emergency preamble by striking out all of the 4th paragraph (page
1, lines 7 and 8 in L.D.) and inserting the following:
'Whereas, certain landowners and logging contractors have also experienced
substantial damages or losses in connection with the salvage of trees damaged during those
same severe weather-related events and associated land reclamation activities; and'
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the
emergency clause and inserting the following:
'See. 1. 5 MRSA §13056-K is enacted to read:
S13056-K. Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Program
1. Program established. The Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Program,
referred to in this section as "the program." is established within the department to provide
relief payments to eligible small businesses in the State affected by severe weather-related
events,
2. Fund established. The Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Fund. referred
to in this section as "the fund." is established as a nonlapsing fund within the department
for the purpose of providine funds for the program. The fund consists of money
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " /t-" to S.P. 930, L.D, 2191
^
appropriated to the fund by the Legislature and any other public or private funds received
by the department for the purposes of the Brogram-
3. Rulemakine. The department shall adopt rules necessary for the implementation
and administration of the program. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine
technical rules as defined in chapter 375. subchapter 2-A and must establish the criteria for
eligibility for relief payments from the program and the application process, including, but
not limited to:
A, Provisions requiring that eligible damages or losses occurred within the State and
were caused by or related to a severe weather-related event for which the Governor, on
or after September 1, 2023. declares a disaster or civil emergency pursuant to Title
37-B, section 742 for the State or for the location in the State in which the damages or
losses occurred;
B. Provisions limiting eligibility under the program to businesses with 500 or fewer
employees that were in operation or established at the location in which the damages
or losses occurred at least 6 months prior to the date those damages or losses occurred.
Eligible businesses include, but are not limited to, nonprofit organizations; veterans'
organizations; organizations associated with a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe
or band in the State; self-employed individuals, independent contractors and sole
Droprietorshios: child care facilities; and owners of land enrolled in the Maine Tree
Growth Tax Law that can_ demonstrate the use of that land for a tourism-related
purpose;
C. Provisions requiring as a condition of a relief payment under the program that an
eligible small business demonstrate its intent and plan to resume operation at the
location in which the damages or losses occurred or elsewhere within the State; and
EL.PrQvisions limiting the expenditure of relief payments by an eligible small business
to the offset of incun-ed business-related damages or losses, or to otherwise address
such damages or losses, including, but not limited to. retail inventory damages or
losses, including perishable goods; damage to or loss of machinery and other
equipment relating to the operation of the business; property damage, includine
building, structural and other private infrastructure damage, inclydmg damage to
landscape, hardscape and other erounds damage and damage to roads, bridges and
culverts; damage to nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails, trailheads and
trailside amenities; and lost revenue from business interruptions caused by or relating
to the severe weather-related event,
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §13056-L is enacted to read:
6 S13056-L. Weather Emersency Wood Salvage Grant Proeram
1. Prosram estabIished._The Weather Emereency Wood Salvaee Grant Program.
referred to in this section as "the program," is established within the department to provide
grant pavmentsto eligible landowners and logeine contractors that suffered damages or
losses relating to wood salvage and associated land reclamation activities as a result of
severe weather-related events.
2._Fund established. The Weather Emergency Wood Salvage Fund, referred to in
this section as "the fund." is established as a nonlapsing fund within the department for the
purpose of providing funds forthe program. The fund consists of money appropriated to
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " A " to S.P. 930, L.D. 2191 I
ip
the fund by the Legislatureand any other public or private funds received by the department
for the purposes of the program,
3. Rulemakins. The department shall adopt rules necessarvJ'Qr tlieimplementation
and administration of the proeram. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine
technical rules as defined in chapter 375. subchapter 2-A and must establish the criteria for
eligibility for grant payments from the program and the application process, including, but
not limited to;
A, Provisions requiring that eligible damages or losses occurred within theHtate and
were caused by or related to a severe weather-related event for which the Governor. on
or after September 1. 2023. declares a disaster or civil emergency pursuant to Title
37-B. section 742 for the State or for the location in the State in which the damages or
losses occurred;
B, Provisions limiting eligibility under the proeram to landowners or logging
contractors that, as a result of a severe weather-related event, sustained damages or
losses j-elatin& to woQd_salvage_and associated land reclamation activities, includine.
but not limited to, the repair of roads or landings necessary to facilitate the wood
salvage and associated land reclamation activities;
C. Provisions requiring as a condition of a grant payment under the program that an
eligible landowner oUogging contractor provide documentation demonstrating the
estimated or actual wood salvage and associated land reclamation costs incurred as a
result of a severe weather-related event; and
D, Provisions limiting the expenditure of erant payments under the proeram by an
eligible landowner orjoggine contractor to the offset of incurred damages or losses
relating to wood salvage and associated land reclamation activities, or to otherwise
address such damages or losses,
As used in this section, "wood salvage" means the removal of dead. damaged or
diseased trees to recover maximum value prior to deterioration,
Sec. 3. Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Program; rules. The
Department of Economic and Community Development shall, within 120 days of the
effective date of this Act, adopt rules necessary for the implementation and administration
of the Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Program pursuant to the Maine Revised
Statutes, Title 5, section 13056-K, subsection 3.
Sec. 4. Weather Emergency Wood Salvage Grant Program; rules. The
Department of Economic and Community Development shall, within 120 days of the
effective date of this Act, adopt rules necessary for the implementation and administration
of the Weather Emergency Wood Salvage Grant Program pursuant to the Maine Revised
Statutes, Title 5, section 13056-L, subsection 3.
Sec. 5. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Fund N479
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " {\ " to S.P. 930, L.D. 2191 ( cf UU/
Initiative: Provides one-time funds for payments to eligible small businesses for relief from
severe weather-related events under the Small Business Weather Emergency Relief
Program established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 13056-K.
GENERAL FUND 2023-24 2024-25
All Other $50,000,000 $0
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $50,000,000 $0
Weather Emergency Wood Salvage Fund N486
Initiative: Provides one-time funds for grants for wood salvage and associated land
reclamation activities to eligible landowners and logging contractors affected by severe
weather-related events under the Weather Emergency Wood Salvage Grant Program
established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 13056-L.
GENERAL FUND 2023-24 2024-25
AllOther $2,500,000 $0
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $2,500,000 $0
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2023-24 2024-25
GENERAL FUND $52,500,000 $0
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS $52,500,000 $0
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
. number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill and changes the title. It establishes the Small
Business Weather Emergency Relief Program to provide relief payments to small
businesses affected by severe weather-related events on or after September 1, 2023 and
directs the Department of Economic and Community Development to adopt rules for the
3 administration of the program, including eligibility requirements and application processes,
within 120 days of the effective date of this legislation. The amendment includes a one-
time General Fund appropriation to the department for the program of $50,000,000 in fiscal
year 2023-24.
The amendment also establishes the Weather Emergency Wood Salvage Grant
Program to provide grants for wood salvage and associated land reclamation activities to
eligible landowners and logging contractors affected by severe weather-related events on
or after September 1, 2023 and directs the Department of Economic and Community
Development to adopt rules for the administration of the program, including eligibility
requirements and application processes, within 120 days of the effective date of this
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
--tPU> COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"^-" to S.P, 930, L.D. 2191 ^^
legislation. The amendment includes a one-time General Fund appropriation to the
department for the program of $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2023-24. fc
FISCAL NOTE REQIHRED |
(See attached)
COMMIFTEE AMENDMENT
Approved: 04/01/24 ^'CSC-
LD 2191 LR 3012(02)
An Act to Provide Relief to Small Businesses Affected by Severe Weather-related Events
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '^.'/^y Ui^\
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Projections Projections
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $52,500,000 $0 $0 $0
Appropriations/AlIocations
General Fund $52,500,000 $0 $0 $0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill includes one-time General Fund appropriations totaling $52,500,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 to the Department
of Economic and Community Development. Of that amount, $50,000,000 is appropriated on a one-time basis to a
newly created Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Fund to provide payments to eligible small businesses for
relief from severe weather-related events under the Small Business Emergency Relief Program established in the
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 13056-K. Additionally, $2,500,000 is appropriated on a one-time basis to a
newly created Weather Emergency Wood Salvage Fund for grants for wood salvage and associated land reclamation
activities to eligible landowners and logging contractors affected by severe weather-related events under the Weather
Emergency Wood Salvage Program established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 13056-L.
LR3012(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1