Besides the big three heavyweights of the session – budget, health care and tax relief – the list of other issues facing lawmakers this year is long and varied.

The titles to bills, or proposed new laws, are out. A few themes emerge from that list.

Several lawmakers want to protect consumers from gift card fees and conditions, like the fine print that says some cards expire after one year. Barring evidence that it would be bad for Maine, chances look good that if you buy a gift card next Christmas, you will get a better deal from some issuers.

At least two lawmakers, Rep. John Eder, a Green Party member from Portland, and Rep. Boyd Marley, D-Portland, want to make Election Day a state holiday.

A bill to change Maine’s time zone is being brought to us by newcomer Rep. Jonathan McKane, R-Newcastle.

Another to eliminate daylight-saving time in Maine – as well as a study to divide Maine into two states – is sponsored by veteran Rep. Henry Joy, R-Crystal.

Rep. Theodore Koffman, D-Bar Harbor, wants a law to protect dogs left outside.

Don’t like getting your car inspected? Sen. Chandler Woodcock, R-Farmington, wants to eliminate automobile inspections. He also has a bill to create a limited, sales-tax-free shopping week.

A bunch of lawmakers want to abolish term limits or extend how long elected officials can serve. Rep. George Bishop Jr., R-Boothbay; Rep. Marilyn Canavan, D-Waterville; Rep. Arthur Lerman, D-Augusta; and Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville, want to extend term limits. Sen. Libby Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, wants to abolish them.

The debate over whether using a hand-held cell phone while driving should be illegal is making a return, brought to us again by Rep. Deborah Pelletier-Simpson, D-Auburn, and Rep. George Hogan, D-Old Orchard Beach.

Moxie bill creating excitement’

One bill “that’s creating great excitement” is to make Moxie the official Maine soft drink. The request is from Fred Goldrup of Lewiston, said sponsor Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston.

Goldrup sent Rotundo a 10-page letter on the history and virtues of Moxie. Maine Community College System lobbyist and Maine humorist Gary Crocker “called me a goddess’ for sponsoring the bill,” Rotundo said.

Crocker said Monday not only is he a big Moxie drinker and a regular in the Lisbon Falls Moxie parade, “I’m a life member of the New England Moxie Congress. We meet annually.” Moxie is much bigger than many think, Crocker said.

Bills cost

As reported earlier, House Speaker John Richardson, D-Brunswick, complained that the number of this year’s 2,100-plus bills is a lot, and each bill costs taxpayers thousands of dollars by the time it is drafted, printed, distributed, considered in public hearings, analyzed in committee and caucuses, then debated and voted upon in the House and Senate. Some disagree with Richardson’s price, but he has cautioned legislators not to sponsor frivolous bills.

One way to reduce the pile of bills is to pass one of three sponsored by Rep. Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor; Rep. Maitland Richardson, R-Skowhegan; and Sen. Dana Dow, R-Waldoboro. They have each offered proposals that would reduce the size of the Legislature, which now numbers 151 House members and 35 Senate members.

The chance of that happening may be as good as ending daylight-saving time or changing Maine’s time zone.

Quote of the week: “I know there may be a lot of figures here, but the figure that matters is the budget rate increase, (which) is 3.76 percent. … Our personal income growth is 5.2 percent.” – Gov. John Baldacci, when presenting his budget on Friday.

Bonnie Washuk is a Sun Journal State House reporter.