Governor Janet T. Mills (D) and other state leaders today announced major legislation to strengthen the ability of Maine communitdies, homeowners, businesses and emergency response personnel to prepare for and withstand future severe storms.

The bipartisana legislation, LD 1, “An Act to Increase Storm Preparedness………..” is directly responsive to the interim recommendations from the Maine Infrastructure Resilence Committee, which the Governor established last spring, in response to a series of devastating storms that caused an estimated $90 milion in damages to public infrastructure across the state.

LD 1, would launch new initiatives designed to enhance emergency planning at all levels of government, prepare communities and infrastructure for severe weather, and reduce long term related risks and costs for Maine homeowners and businesses.  It was federal funding and existing fee-based funding through the Bureau of Insurance and does not rely on General Funds during a tight budget cycle.

“This legislation, based on interim recommendations from the Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission, will improve the ability of Maine communities, homeowners, businesses and emergency response leaders to plan for the extreme weather of the future – making Maine a safer and more prepared place to live,” said Governor Janet Mills (D) in part in a statement issued from her office this morning.

“Extreme weather is a real and present challenge for Maine people and increasing the resilience of our infrastructure will be critical in the months and years ahead,” said Speaker Ryan Fecteau, (D Biddeford) “This proposal will help homeowners prepare their properties and guard against damage.  Our homes are often the largest investments we make in our lifetimes and this bill will help protect them.”

For more information on the appointment of Ryan Fecteau as Maine Speaker, please visit post herein dated December 4, 2024.