I feel a little bit like a broken record: Data privacy! Cuts to BETR! but retailers remain squarely in the middle of both of these major issues at the State House. As you know, the data privacy bill, LD 1822, remains tabled in the House. They did not take it up on Tuesday, or on Thursday. We heard the House Democratic caucus held a contentious meeting Thursday morning with several raising concerns of the inclusion of the politician carve out added by the Senate. Governor Mills also expressed disappointment at the carve out during a weekly press event. Additionally, there was incredible turn out from the business community at the Maine Chamber’s Business Day at the State House on Tuesday. Business leaders concerned about LD 1822 lined the halls of the State House and spoke directly with legislators about the bill and the serious concerns it raises for Maine businesses. We have also launched a social media ad campaign in partnership with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce to help raise awareness of this issue. If you see the ad, we would greatly appreciate you sharing it with your networks. I know it can be challenging to keep the pressure on when we do not know exactly when the House will take the bill up again. It could come back Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, next week, or at any time before the end of the session. Right now, many observers are watching House attendance closely, especially given that the initial vote on LD 1822 passed by a narrow 71–68 margin, during a vote when several legislators who oppose the bill were absent. For that reason, continued outreach from retailers and employers remains critical. Please reach out to your House member, and tell them to OPPOSE LD 1822. Find your House Member here or call 207-287-1400, and ask them to pass your legislator a message. Sincerely, Curtis Picard, CAE President and CEO |
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| ACTION ALERT: Governor Proposes Cutting Retail in BETR Debate |
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Governor Mills released her “Change Package” to the Supplemental Budget on Thursday, and much to our disappointment, she is recommending that only retail be cut (see page 10) from the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement (BETR) program. In fact, the Governor’s proposal is slightly more aggressive than what the Taxation Committee recommended (see page 42) last week, and would accelerate the phase out of retail from BETR. This is a revision from her initial Supplemental Budget proposal that would cut the BETR program in its entirety. However, we are pushing back! The Portland Press Herald printed our op-ed on the retail cut to BETR. Additionally, we have been contacting affected retailers one by one asking for them to weigh in. The issue now moves to the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which will determine the final budget package. This is a critical next step in the process, and the voices of Maine retailers need to be heard. What You Can Do! We strongly encourage members to contact members of the Appropriations Committee as soon as possible and explain how eliminating BETR for retail will impact your business and your customers. Please cut and paste these emails: Subject Line: Keep Retail in BETR. Oppose Part O Sample messages: Option 1 I am writing to urge you to reject the proposal to single out retail businesses for removal from the BETR program. Retailers make significant investments in equipment just like other industries, and eliminating BETR for retail will simply increase operating costs that ultimately get passed on to Maine consumers. Option 2 Please oppose the proposal to phase retail businesses out of the BETR program. Retailers invest heavily in equipment such as refrigeration, technology, and energy-efficient systems, and singling out our industry for removal from BETR is unfair and will increase costs for Maine businesses and consumers alike. We will continue advocating for fair treatment for Maine’s retailers as the budget process moves forward. |
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| LD 2162 (Artificial Intelligence Chatbots) Advances After Lengthy and Uncertain Work Session |
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The HCIFS Committee held a lengthy and at times uncertain work session this week on LD 2162, a bill intended to regulate certain artificial intelligence chatbot technologies. The discussion highlighted the broader challenge lawmakers across the country are facing as they attempt to address rapidly evolving AI technologies. Committee members spent more than an hour debating potential approaches to regulating chatbots, often acknowledging that the technology itself is developing faster than policymakers fully understand it. Throughout the discussion, legislators expressed a strong desire to “do something” on the issue this session, emphasizing concerns about potential harms and the broader societal implications of AI-driven interactions. At the same time, many members openly recognized that the subject is complex and that additional study may ultimately be needed to fully understand the impacts of the technology and the appropriate policy response. The conversation also touched on examples of how AI chatbot tools can provide meaningful benefits. Advocates and stakeholders described how some applications are already being used in positive ways, including helping individuals with autism practice social interactions or communication in a controlled and supportive environment. Those examples underscored the tension lawmakers faced between addressing potential risks while not inadvertently limiting emerging beneficial uses. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the technology, the committee ultimately advanced legislation that many stakeholders believe could have significant unintended consequences. One approach not fully discussed during the work session was legislation modeled after a framework recently adopted in New York that attempts to address specific risks while preserving legitimate uses of AI tools. Representative Josh Morris (R-Turner) supported that approach during the committee’s deliberations, but it did not gain majority support. Instead, a large majority of the committee voted to move forward with an alternative proposal that stakeholders believe could create operational and compliance challenges for businesses developing or deploying AI-enabled technologies. With the bill now advancing in the legislative process, affected industries and stakeholders are expected to continue engaging with lawmakers. There may be additional opportunities to revisit elements of the proposal, particularly as more legislators become familiar with alternative approaches such as the New York framework that was discussed during the work session. |
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The following is a rundown of the most recent bills printed for consideration in 2026. We have flagged these bills as being of interest to our members. This week, we review LD 2230 to LD 2237. No new bills to report this week! |
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Here are the bills in committee we’ll be tracking this week. Monday, March 16, 2026 LD 2212 (Supplemental Budget – Appropriations and Allocations for State Government) Work Session – Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee – 1:30 PM Tuesday, March 17, 2026 LD 2196 (Lowering Health Insurance Costs and Ensuring Fair Prices for Health Care) Work Session – Health and Human Services Committee – 1:00 PM LD 714 (An Act to Amend the Tax Laws) Public Hearing – Taxation Committee – 1:30 PM LD 883 (An Act to Reduce the Tax Burden on Maine Citizens) Public Hearing – Taxation Committee – 1:30 PM Thursday, March 19, 2026 LD 713 (An Act Regarding Taxation) Work Session – Taxation Committee – 1:30 PM LD 714 (An Act to Amend the Tax Laws) Work Session – Taxation Committee – 1:30 PM LD 883 (An Act to Reduce the Tax Burden on Maine Citizens) Work Session – Taxation Committee – 1:30 PM |
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| Promoting the Retail 401(k) Program |
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Offering a competitive retirement benefit can make a big difference when it comes to attracting and retaining great employees—but for many small and mid-sized retailers, the cost and administrative burden of running a 401(k) plan can feel overwhelming. Through this Multiple Employer Plan (MEP), retailers can join a pooled retirement plan designed specifically for retail businesses. By bringing multiple employers into one professionally managed plan, participating companies can benefit from lower costs, simplified administration, and reduced fiduciary responsibility, while still offering employees a high-quality retirement savings option. The program provides: • Institutional-level investment options • Professional plan administration and compliance support • Flexibility to design plan features such as matching contributions or profit sharing • More time for business owners to focus on running their companies rather than managing retirement plan paperwork. For many retailers, a strong retirement benefit is not just about planning for the future—it’s also a powerful tool for recruiting and keeping talented employees in a competitive labor market. If you’re interested in learning more about how the Retail 401(k) program could work for your business, visit the link above or contact the Retail401k team for additional information. |
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