Signed by Governor Janet Mills

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that appropriates funds for winter energy relief.

Highlights:

• Transfers $40 million to supplement Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding (LIHEAP) (Page 2).

• Transfers $21 million to provide funds for short-term emergency funds (Page 2).

• Appropriates $10 million for heating assistance for households ineligible for LIHEAP (Page 3).

• Establishes Winter Energy Relief Payment Program “to promote the general welfare by providing a relief payment to eligible Maine recipients to offset some of the expenses that have been incurred, and will be incurred in the winter months of 2022-2023, by those recipients as a result of high winter energy costs and the COVID-19 pandemic, including, without limitation, personal, family and living expenses” (Page 4).

• Establishes state income tax subtraction modification (Page 5).

• Authorizes transfer of COVID relief funds (Page 6).

Full Bill Text