Legislative Support of Veterans in Maine
2021 Legislative Update
L.D. 173, An Act To Restore Honor to Certain Service Members
The law requires the Director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services to establish a discharge upgrade process for any veteran who separated from service without an honorable discharge due solely to the veteran's sexual orientation, gender identity or to statements, consensual sexual conduct or consensual acts relating to sexual orientation, and/or gender identity.
L.D. 191, An Act To Permit Municipalities To Provide Assistance to Veterans in Paying Property Taxes
This bill authorizes municipalities to adopt a program that provides benefits to veterans and their eligible family members who own or rent a homestead in the municipality..
L.D. 658, An Act To Provide Funding for 2 Veterans Services Officers in the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services
This bill provides funding for 2 Veterans Services Officer positions within the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services.
L.D. 1193, An Act To Exempt Certain Disabled Veterans from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
This bill provides a motor vehicle excise tax exemption for veterans who are receiving benefits based on total service-connected disability.
L.D. 1425, Resolve, To Dedicate a Portion of Route 6 from Lee to Springfield in Honor of Sgt. Blair Emery
The Department of Transportation will designate a portion of Route 6 in Penobscot County the Sgt. Blair Emery Road.
The committee amendment makes it optional for military veterans’ organizations to request billing at the same rate a utility bills a residential customer (residential rates could result in higher electricity costs).
L.D. 1705, An Act To Support Maine Students Who Are Dependents of Current or Former Members of the Military
L.D. 1733, An Act To Provide Allocations for the Distribution of State Fiscal Recovery Funds The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, shall conduct outreach to encourage active duty military members who are transitioning to civilian life to relocate to the State and to provide personalized and proactive support for those military members and their families, including assistance with securing employment and navigating transition services and with community reintegration. The pilot project shall commence on November 1, 2021.
