The list of bills clearing the Revisor’s Office continues to grow, closing in on the 800 mark this week.

Here is a list of highlights sponsored by tri-county lawmakers in bills 100 through 200:

* Rep. Lance Harvell, R-Farmington, attempted to introduce LD 107, which would have allowed trappers located south of Route 2 west of Bangor and south of Route 9 east of Bangor to set traps without getting written permission from property owners. Harvell pulled the legislation before it was voted on by committee.

Harvell has several hunting bills this session, including LD 108, which would reduce the cost of a lifetime hunting license for individuals under age 6 from $450 to $150. It has yet to be heard before committee.

Harvell’s LD 137 would allow hunters to use crossbows during archery season.

* Rep. Matthew Peterson, D-Rumford, wants the state to explore ways to expand the maple sugar industry. His bill, LD 109, would create a commission to study expansion, branding and other opportunities, and issue a preliminary report later this year.

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* Currently, veterans who left high school to fight in wars before or during the Korean conflict can receive their degrees posthumously. With LD 114, Rep. David Cotta, R-China, wants to add veterans from the Vietnam War. The bill has been endorsed by the Veterans Committee and will soon come up for a vote by the Legislature.

* Harvell’s LD 118 would require public universities and colleges to obtain the same licenses, certificates and registrations as private corporations or businesses.

* Cotta wants to increase the minimum limits for auto insurance so people involved in accidents receive higher payouts. LD 125 increases insurance minimums in property damage accidents from $25,000 to $50,000; injury or death of one person from $50,000 to $100,000; injury or death of more than one person from $100,000 to $250,00; and medical payments from $2,000 to $20,000.

* Rep. Stephen Wood, R-Sabattus, tried to prevent individuals who “unreasonably” refuse work from receiving unemployment benefits. The Labor Committee this week voted that LD 136 shouldn’t pass, meaning the bill probably won’t go much further.

* LD 141 will likely generate some debate. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eleanor Espling, R-New Gloucester, would increase the retirement age to 65 for state employees who have not yet vested in the state retirement system. The bill is in the concept stage, but will eventually be heard by the Appropriations Committee.

* Sen. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, wants the Maine Department of Agriculture to adopt rules about “green” or “wet” commercial firewood. LD 155 would set moisture content standards for so-called seasoned firewood, which causes less creosote buildup in chimneys than burning green firewood.

* Rep. Jeffery Timberlake, R-Turner, wants hunters over the age of 70 to be able to shoot antlerless deer. LD 161 is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday. 

* Harvell tried to exempt antique cars from being subject to the state’s muffler requirement law. The Transportation Committee recently voted against passing LD 162

* Cotta’s LD 189 would eliminate all deputy commissioners in state government. A public hearing for the bill is scheduled for Monday.


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