House 89 Rep. Holly Stover is sponsoring three bills for the 130th Legislature’s second session. Stover represents Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport, Westport Island and part of South Bristol and sits on the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and the Government Oversight Committee.

Stover’s bills are LD 1898 An Act to Address the Economic Impact of Federal Closures on Maine’s Fixed Gear Fishing Industry; LD 1824 An Act To Improve the Maine Child Welfare Services Ombudsman Program by Providing Additional Resources; and LD 1760 An Act To Amend the Charter of the Boothbay Harbor Sewer District To Set the Terms of Its Trustees at 3 Years.

LD 1898 establishes the Atlantic Whale Take Reduction Impact Planning Fund, which mitigates the immediate financial impact on lobstermen, gillnet fishermen and businesses from the closure of offshore fishing in federal waters. Currently a $3 million proposal, the fund will be amended for $30 million to be administered through Maine Department of Marine Resources. The bill will enable DMR to set eligibility criteria and an application process for fishermen to replace their gear, said Stover.

Despite the closure being a point of conversation on Capitol Hill for the past 20 years, Stover said Maine was not prepared for the three-mile offshore limit to come down on the countless Maine fishermen who rely on it.

“We're punishing an industry – one that's a large part of our economy and already at risk of collapsing – with a decision made in Washington ... So, at the state level we have an opportunity to try to address the immediate loss and the longer term gear replacement.”

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration decided because data shows the whales have historically had issues with entanglement, there is a possibility of entanglement. For more, visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/marine-mammal-protection/2021-atlantic-large-whale-take-reduction-plan

Some are asking why the legislature does not wait “to see what the federal government is going to do,” said Stover. “The crisis is before us right now. The closure is right now. We saw a decision in the courts that upheld it, so we're still here in the same place we've been for several months.”

With an immediate need to support Maine’s fishermen, Stover said she hopes LD 1898 moves forward as an emergency bill so it can be rolled out to those who need it as soon as possible. “We have people here who – that's their livelihood and they can risk losing their homes, their boats and we all risk losing an industry that is a key component of our economic survival.”

The bill’s cosponsors are Senators Chloe Maxmin, Nobleboro, District 13; and Marianne Moore, Calais, District 6; and Representatives Lydia Crafts, Newcastle, District 90; Jan Dodge, Belfast, District 19; Allison Hepler, Woolwich, District 53; Ann Matlack, St. George, District 92; Genevieve McDonald, Stonington, District 134; and Sarah Pebworth, Blue Hill, District 133.

LD 1824’s proposal for additional resources for the child welfare services ombudsman is one of many bills this session geared toward improving the Department of Health and Human Services, said Stover. Though the bills differ, the goal is to improve child safety in the home, service delivery and all subjects part of ongoing systemic issues, she said.

“There are various efforts … to look at our child welfare system and how we can enhance change, modify and adapt … My bill is looking at some of the places we may not have addressed.”

The ombudsman is a resource for those concerned with how DHHS is handling their cases. The ombudsman’s office and other organizations fighting for better child welfare services have recently been calling for broad changes at DHHS, and most of the ombudsman’s concern comes from their struggle keeping up with caseloads, said Stover.

LD 1824 is still a concept draft and Stover said she is amending it as the legislature moves forward.

Stover’s third bill is a “housekeeping item” which corrects language from a 129th legislature amendment to Boothbay Harbor Sewer District’s charter. The original amendment granted Boothbay an administrative role on the district’s board of trustees. When the law was printed officially, it did not reflect all the changes as submitted and approved by the legislature, said Stover.

“It's important, but it's almost a do-over … It is not changed, no modifications, we just want to implement the language that needs to exist to include Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor.”

Stover said many legislators lost appeals of bill requests denied ahead of this session, a quick one which began Jan. 5 and ends April 20. Stover said she kept her list of priorities short, aware that extensions beyond the session will add to the cost for taxpayers.

“One of the reasons I feel strongly about not going over is that it shows we’re being really efficient in our work. (Going over) costs the taxpayers money and, contrary to popular belief, I don't agree with that.”