LD 347 would have established a council on private sector regulatory costs composed of individuals from private sector businesses. This narrow council would have had the power to erode Maine’s carefully crafted regulatory system in favor of a new regulatory regime for businesses based on broad principles rather than specific rules and regulations. Of additional concern, the council would have had the power to force staff from any state agency to work on council issues at the expense of responsibilities within their agencies. As a result, this bill had the potential to undermine the ability of Maine’s key environmental agencies – such as the Department of Environmental Protection – to protect our woods, waters, and wildlife.

Votes / Roll Calls:

Date	Desc	Yea	Nay	No Vote	Absent	Total	Passed	Chamber
01/01/2009	Roll Call	6	4	0	2	12	1
Votes	Show Susan M. W. Austin Nay Seth A. Berry Yea Bruce A. Bickford Nay Richard M. Cebra Absent Margaret M. Craven Yea Philip A. Curtis Nay John L. Martin Yea H. Sawin Millett Jr. Nay Ann E. Peoples Yea Anne C. Perry Absent Joseph C. Perry Sr. Yea John L. Tuttle Yea