An Act to Ensure Safe Drinking Water for Families in Maine (LD 454)
BILL SUMMARY:
LD 454 increases testing and treatment of private, residential drinking water wells, which have been previously exempt from state and federal safe drinking water laws. Specifically, this bill: requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop recommendations for the testing of a set of contaminants that will be periodically tested for in private wells; requires the Department to conduct educational outreach on the health effects of contaminants and why testing is important; requires the Maine Water Well Commission to also develop educational materials focused on the importance of testing for contaminants to give to residents when a residential private well is first drilled or deepened; and establishes a Private Well Safe Drinking Water Fund to support this outreach and increase testing rates. The Fund is financed through a (maximum $10) fee for testing performed by the Department’s lab and prioritizes funding for community-based programs that support underserved populations.
STATE:
Maine
FINAL LANGUAGE:
STATUTE:
Title 22, Chapter 230, Sections: 2601-A; 2602-A, Subsection 1; 4700-H, Subsection 8, 2660-S; 2660-T; 2660-U; 2660-V; 2660-W; 2660-X
AUTHOR:
Representative Karen Vachon
CO-AUTHORS:
Representative Michael Thibodeau, Representative Kent Ackley, Representative Janice Cooper, Senator Shenna Bellows, Senator Brian Langley, Senator Amy Volk
SENATE VOTE:
| Yes: 34 | No: 0 |
| R: 16 | R: 0 |
| D: 28 | D: 0 |
ASSEMBLY VOTE:
| Yes: 117 | No: 25 |
| R: 37 | R: 25 |
| D: 73 | D: 0 |
FISCAL IMPACT:
LISTED SUPPORT:
Maine Children's Alliance, Maine Public Health Association, Kennebec Valley Organization, Maine Oral Health Coalition, Prevent Harm, Maine Education Association, Environmental Priorities Coalition, American Cancer Society, American Academy of Pediatrics, Maine Chapter, Maine Indoor Air Quality Council
Letters of Support
Letters of Support
LISTED OPPOSITION:
A&L Laboratory, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Letters of Opposition
Letters of Opposition
SENATE FLOOR ANALYSIS:
ASSEMBLY FLOOR ANALYSIS:
REGULATIONS PROGRAM:
