An Act to Provide Relief to Small Businesses Affected by Severe Weather-related Events (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2191
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: HICKMAN, SHAGOURY, JACKSON, KEIM, MOORE, RENY, FAULKINGHAM, HENDERSON, MONTELL, WHITE

Legislative Document
No. 2191
S.P. 930
In Senate, January 25, 2024
An Act to Provide Relief to Small Businesses Affected by Severe 
Weather-related Events
(AFTER DEADLINE)
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and 
Business suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec.
Cosponsored by Representative SHAGOURY of Hallowell and
Senators: President JACKSON of Aroostook, KEIM of Oxford, MOORE of Washington, 
RENY of Lincoln, Representatives: FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor, HENDERSON of 
Rumford, MONTELL of Gardiner, WHITE of Waterville.
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 State has recently experienced severe weather-related events that have 
caused power outages, flooding and other negative effects; and
Whereas, recent severe weather-related events have significantly affected small 
business owners during the busiest revenue season for small businesses in the State; and
Whereas, the loss of revenue experienced by small businesses as a result of recent 
severe weather-related events constitutes an emergency; 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,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Program.  
1.  Program established.  The Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Program is 
established in the Department of Economic and Community Development as a nonlapsing 
General Fund program account administered by the department to provide relief payments 
to small businesses in the State affected by severe weather-related events and consists of 
money appropriated to it by the Legislature from the General Fund.
2.  Rules.  The Department of Economic and Community Development shall adopt 
rules necessary to carry out this section, including eligibility requirements, application 
processes and methods for determining award amounts, no later than March 30, 2024. Rules 
adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Program N479
Initiative: Provides one-time funds for payments to small businesses for relief from severe 
weather-related events.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$50,000,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$50,000,000
$0
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Program to provide 
relief payments to small businesses affected by severe weather-related events and directs 
the Department of Economic and Community Development to adopt rules for the 
administration of the program, including eligibility requirements, application processes and 
methods for determining award amounts, no later than March 30, 2024. The bill includes a 
one-time General Fund appropriation of $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 to the program.