Join NRCM's Action Network! Your voice can make a difference in protecting the Maine we love.
Information about Act to Require Citizen Notification About Powered Outdoor Pesticide Applications
Other bills of interest in the 2009 Legislature.
Find out who your legislators are.
Legislators & Legislative Committees
Tips for Contacting Your Legislator
Today's Happenings at the State House
LIVE ONLY DURING SESSION
Legislative Report Cards:
Legislative Priorities:
 |
Working for legislation to protect Maine's environment is an essential part of NRCM's mission for the people of Maine. We work for new protections and also to uphold current legislation as it is attacked by industry and others who put profit ahead of our children's health. |
 |
State House News and InformationNRCM is at the State House every day during the legislative session, working hard to protect Maine's environment and improve the quality of our air, our forests, our lakes and rivers. |
 |
An Act Regarding Maine's Energy FutureThis bill will broaden, simplify and streamline Maine’s energy efficiency and weatherization programs, which will boost jobs and Maine's economy while also protecting our health and environment. |
 |
Protecting Maine's Rivers for Our Health, Economy and Natural LegacyThis session, Maine's Department of Environmental Protection will submit a river reclassification bill that increases protections for a number of outstanding waterbodies, including Alder Stream, the Basin and the Crooked River. |
 |
Land for Maine's Future (LMF) FundingNRCM and its coalition partners want to ensure the necessary funding for the Land for Maine’s Future program so that it can continue conserving Maine's working farms, forestlands and rich natural heritage. |
 |
Safe Collection and Recycling of Mercury-containing Light BulbsWe encourage the Legislature to set a reasonable standard for how much mercury can be contained in light bulbs sold in Maine, and require bulb manufacturers to share in the cost and responsibility for safe collection and recycling. |
In-Depth Project Description
Our Mission for Maine
Working for legislation to protect Maine's environment is an essential part of NRCM's mission for the people of Maine. We work for new protections and also to uphold current legislation as it is attacked by industry and others who put profit ahead of our children's health.
Location, location, location
Our location, just steps from the State House, as well as our commitment to the people of Maine means we are well positioned to watch over what happens within Maine 's Legislature. Each January the Legislature begins a new session to evaluate funding and other priorities. NRCM follows each and every piece of proposed legislation that may affect Maine 's environment and the people who enjoy and rely upon it.
Helping with the Good, Preventing the Bad
During the winter months, much of our time is spent proposing bills and scanning lists of titles for "bad bills" - those that would roll back existing protections or introduce new harms to Maine 's environment. Once we identify bills of interest, we track them throughout the session. A bill is usually then sent to committee, where legislators serving on that committee can pass it, kill it, or recommend an amendment. NRCM staff, with help from our members and volunteers, put tremendous effort into testifying, calling legislators, and working for or against a bill while it is in committee.
Once a bill passes out of a committee, it must go before the House of Representatives and the Senate. NRCM does not rest along the way. We are there during the committee hearings and in the House and Senate chambers working to ensure protection for Maine 's environment.