A bill submitted by Rep. L. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls, would implement a 90-day state residency requirement on people receiving municipal general assistance.

The Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled for a public hearing on the likely controversial proposal on Monday.

Start collecting tires

A proposal by Rep. Larry Sirois, D-Turner, would initiate a tire deposit, similar to Maine’s bottle deposit, to encourage proper tire disposal.

The deposit would be paid by consumers when they buy new tires and refunded when tires get turned in to a municipal recycling center or tire dealership.

Members of the Natural Resources Committee are scheduled to hear public testimony on the legislation on Tuesday.

School consolidation

It’s no joke: The Education Committee is scheduled to look at 14 different bills addressing the school consolidation laws implemented in the previous Legislature on Wednesday, April 1.

The bills have been submitted by lawmakers hailing mostly from northern and eastern Maine, from Caribou to Blue Hill.

Most of the proposals seek waivers or exceptions for specific schools or towns under the current law, but others suggest eliminating altogether the financial penalties that are supposed to be assessed on municipalities that have failed to comply.

Watch out

The Transportation Committee will take up a proposal to extend legislation that requires drivers to give bicyclists a three-foot berth on public roadways to include pedestrians as well.

The bill, proposed by Rep. Charles Harlow, D-Portland, is scheduled for a work session on Thursday.

Taxing talk on taxes

Get ready for it – the Taxation Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a massive tax reform bill proposed by Rep. John Piotti, D-Unity, on Thursday.

The House Majority Leader’s proposal would cut the top personal income tax rate from 8.5 percent to 6.5 percent, mostly by increasing Maine’s meal and lodging tax rates and extending the sales tax to now untaxed amusements such as ski lift passes, movie tickets and bowling.

The proposal is similar to the package reviewed by the Legislature in 2007, which was the subject of much debate.

Groups such as the Maine Tourism Association and the Ski Maine Association oppose the measure.

– Rebekah Metzler