New Maine Laws Affect Organ Donors, Bows & Arrows and Baby Food

There has been a wealth of controversial legislative decisions over the past year in Maine that have gained their fair share of media attention in regards to state finances, but what you may not know is that there have been a number of bills quietly passed in 2013 that will certainly have an impact on many citizens.

These silent bills, which have been signed into law by Governor Lepage, are said to affect motorists, military veterans, hunters and more. And while the Democrats and Republicans continue to duke it out over if 70,000 addition Mainers should received Medicaid coverage or not, the two parties have been able to come to an agreement on other, seemingly less important, issues this session.

• Scrap-metal dealers can now use credit and debit cards to purchase materials, instead of only using checks.
• A $2 donation check-off to support the Maine Organ and Tissue Donation Fund will now be included on all Maine driver’s license applications and renewal forms.
• Maine legislators are barred from becoming lobbyists until after their term ends.
• In select wildlife management districts, young hunters are expected to receive 25 percent of the antlerless deer permits.
• Bows and arrows cannot be discharged within 100 yards of a residential area without property owner’s consent.
• The chemical bisphenol-A has been banned in baby food sold in Maine.
• Active-duty service members do not have to take a hunter safety course in order to obtain a hunting license.

For more new Maine laws, click here.