An Act to Implement Critical Reforms to the Department of Environmental Protection Outlined in the State COVID-19 Reopening Plan
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1997
Committee Amendment CA_A_S594 (Senate)
Amends: 38 MRSA §342, 38 MRSA §344-B

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A "to S.P. 822, L.D. 1997, "An Act to Implement 
Critical Reforms to the Department of Environmental Protection Outlined in the State 
COVID-19 Reopening Plan" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act to Enhance Services Provided by the Department of Environmental 
Protection' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §342, sub-§4, ,S, as amended by PL 2009, c. 579, Pt. B, §5 and 
affected by § 13, is further amended by repealing the 2nd blocked paragraph. 
Sec. 2. 38 MRSA §342, sub-§4, ,re is enacted to read: 
C. The Office of Innovation and Assistance is established within the department to 
provide assistance to the public and regulated entities in navigating and accessing 
services offered by the department. including, but not limited to: 
(1) Providing information regarding and assistance in the application process for 
licenses, permits and other approvals issued by the department pursuant to this 
Title and department rules: and 
(2) Coordinating and consulting as necessary with other state agencies and entities, 
including, but not limited to, the Business Ombudsman Program established 
pursuant to Title 5, section 13063 within the Department of Economic and 
0 
Community Development. regarding the provision of such assistance to the public 
and regulated entities. 
Sec. 3. 38 MRSA §342, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2009, c. 579, Pt. B, §5 and 
affected by § 13, is further amended by enacting at the end a new last blocked paragraph to 
read: 
Page I - 131LR2425(02) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
ROS 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 822, L.D. 1997 (5-5C/ 0 
The commissioner shall identify a staff person or persons in each bureau of the department 
whose primary responsibility is to provide guidance to any party through the permit review 
process. 
Sec. 4. 38 MRSA §344-B, 2nd 1, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 804, Pt. B, §4 and 
affected by §7, is amended to read: 
The provisions of this section apply only to new permit and license applications, except 
that the provisions of this section apply to all applications under chapter 3, subchapter 1, 
article 6. 
Sec. 5. 
Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF 
Administration - Environmental Protection 0251 
Initiative: Provides ongoing funding for 2 Environmental Specialist III positions and 
associated costs to assist the public and regulated entities in navigating and accessing the 
services offered by the department. 
GENERAL FUND 
2023-24 
2024-25 
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT 
0.000 
2.000 
Personal Services 
$0 
$187,618 
All Other 
$0 
$28,000 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$0 
$215,618 
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. Current law provides that the 
Commissioner of Environmental Protection must determine and annually publish a 
processing time for new permit and license applications for each type of permit or license 
issued by the Department of Environmental Protection. The amendment provides that the 
commissioner must publish a processing time for all applications under the site location of 
development laws, the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 6. 
The amendment also establishes in the Maine Revised Statutes the Office of Innovation 
and Assistance within the Department of Environmental Protection to provide assistance 
to the public and regulated entities in navigating and accessing services offered by the 
department. 
The amendment provides ongoing appropriations for 2 positions and 
associated costs within the Administration - Environmental Protection program for the 
Department of Environmental Protection, Office oflnnovation and Assistance to carry out 
the duties of the office. 
The amendment also amends the language requiring the Commissioner of 
Environmental Protection to identify a staff person or persons in each bureau of the 
department whose primary responsibility is to provide guidance to any party through the 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 822, L.D. 1997(5':ffJ L/) 
pennit review process so that the language applies to the entire department instead ofto the 
Office of Pollution Prevention. 
• FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Revised: 03/14/24 .::rtPac:.. 
LD 1997 
LR2425(02) 
An Act to Implement Critical Reforms to the Department of Environmental Protection Outlined in the 
State COVID-19 Reopening Plan 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "ff' { S-51l./) 
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY 2023-24 
FY 2024-25 
Projections 
FY 2025-26 
Projections 
FY 2026-27 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/ Allocations 
General Fnnd 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
$0 
$215,618 
$0 
$215,618 
$224,998 
$234,848 
$224,998 
$234,848 
This bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations of $215,618 starting in fiscal year 2024-25 to the Department 
of Environmental Protection for two Environmental Specialist III positions and associated costs to assist the public 
and regulated entities in navigating and accessing the services offered by the department. 
LR2425(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1