Maine: House

Buried within the fine print of many consumer contracts for credit cards, home-building contracts and car purchases are clauses that stack the deck against ordinary Americans and force consumers to give up their rights before a dispute even occurs.  This is called "pre-dispute Mandatory Binding Arbitration."

Rep. Sean Flaherty (D-Scarborough) knows all too well the dangers that Mandatory Binding Arbitration Clauses pose to consumers.  In 2007, Flaherty, worked in Washington, DC to support federal legislation that would ban the use of such clauses in contracts nationwide.
"I was part of my job to research cases and prepare people who had been victimized by these clauses to testify before Congress," Flaherty said, "I met some incredible people who signed contracts for a new home, a new family car, or even employment without even realizing that if a problem was to arise, they would have no recourse whatsoever.

As you have likely heard, the Senate voted to pass L.D. 1020, An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom, by votes of 20-15 (Roll Call #52) and 21-14 (Roll Call #54). It now moves on to the House, where it will likely pass easily.

There was a third vote on the measure, one to send the bill immediately to referendum this November - that motion failed 13-22 (Roll Call #53). However, even if the bill passes both houses and is signed by the governor, it is likely that a signature drive will put it on the ballot anyway.

AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to tighten up Maine’s motorcycle helmet law is moving forward in the Legislature.

The bill would require anyone under 18 who is operating or riding on a motorcycle to wear a helmet. The present law applies to those under 15.

The measure won a second vote of approval without debate Thursday and still faces further House and Senate votes.

A separate bill calling for a helmet law applying to all riders and operators remains in the Transportation Committee, which is scheduled to discuss it Friday.

AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to change Maine's annual motor vehicle inspections to once every two years has been rejected by the House of Representatives.

Lawmakers voted down the bill Tuesday by an 87-56 vote. The bill was sent to the Senate.

Proponents said annual inspections are burdensome and costly, especially for lower-income Mainers. They also said manufacturing improvements have done away with the need to have cars checked on an annual basis.

Rep. Edward Mazurek asked House members to kills the bill. The Rockland Democrat, who co-chairs the Transportation Committee, said two-year inspections would put Maine out of sync with other states in the region and cause the state to lose federal money. Opponents also said annual inspections keep cars safer.