The committee has hired an intern from the University of Maine to research laws in other states, says Kilkelly, the committee's Senate chair. The comprehensive bill should address issues like hunting from a motor vehicle and using motorized equipment in the woods, Kilkelly predicts.

Once the legislation is passed, Kilkelly hopes Maine will advertise to encourage disabled people to vacation in the state.

In 2000, the legislature will only consider bills carried over from this year, plus emergency legislation. Neither Honey, nor state Representative Benjamin Rines (D-Wiscasset), have any bills carried over.

* * * * *

A bill to increase the penalties for driving a snowmobile, boat or all-terrain vehicle under the influence of alcohol was ``one of the best pieces of legislation the [Inland Fisheries and Wildlife] Committee passed'' this year, says Kilkelly, but Rines disagrees.

The bill makes the penalties for drunk driving recreational vehicles the same as those for driving a car, Kilkelly explains, except violators do not lose their license to drive a car.

Rines, however, was one of 21 representatives to oppose the bill's final passage. ``Even on your own property you could be nailed,'' he explains, ``I didn't think that was right.''

The problem, says Honey, who backed the bill, ``is if you're a warden out in the field, you don't know if you're on his land.''

* * * * * *

Honey is pleased that the new budget includes four new marine patrol officers to police what the former Department of Marine Resources administrator calls ``the thin blue line'' in Maine's coastal waters. The added staff were the top priority for fishermen and the Marine Resources Committee which Honey sits on.

The last Roll Call Report incorrectly reported the current number of marine patrol officers. Four officers will be added to the current force of 43.

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Below is a summary of some of the major roll call votes taken at the legislature during its final weeks. The attendance figures are for the entire year based upon 227 roll call votes in the Senate and 404 in the House.

Senate Votes

1.

BAN PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION: 5/20/99 vote on LD 1593, introduced by citizen petition, to ban partial birth abortions, except when necessary to save the mother's life. Supporters say the rarely used procedure is barbaric, but opponents say the legislation interferes with a decision best made by a woman and her doctor. The bill was defeated 14-18 and therefore will be placed before voters as a referendum.

2.

PARENTAL CONSENT FOR ABORTION: 5/21/99 vote on LD 137, sponsored by state Representative Douglas Ahearne (D-Madawaska), to require children under the age of 18 to get parental consent before having an abortion. Under special circumstances, permission could also be obtained from a judge. Supporters say children should not make such an important decision by themselves, but opponents say while children may consult their parents, the pregnant woman must ultimately decide whether to have an abortion. The bill was defeated 11-21.

3.

24-HOUR WAIT FOR ABORTION: 5/21/99 vote on LD 2123, sponsored by Rep. Ahearne, and co-sponsored by state Representative Rodney Carr (R-Lincoln), to require all women to wait a day before having an abortion and to provide them with education material about abortion and its alternatives. Supporters say waiting a day may cause some to reconsider, but opponents say the delay would unnecessarily pressure women and restrict their right to abortions. The bill was defeated 10-22.

4.

$500 PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX CREDIT: 5/21/99 vote on LD 1786, sponsored by state Senator Jane Amero (R-Cumberland), to give families with incomes under $50,000 a year a $500 reduction in their state income taxes to help pay for private school tuition. Supports say the bill will help middle and low income parents to send their children to private schools, but opponents say it would drain money and good students from the public schools. The bill was defeated 10-22.

5.

BAN LAWSUITS AGAINST GUN COMPANIES: 5/24/99 vote on LD 2192, sponsored by state Representative Royce Perkins (R-Penobscot), to prohibit municipalities from suing gun manufacturers. Supporters say law suits by Chicago, Boston and other cities are improperly seeking gun control through the courts, but opponents argue that the state should not be telling cities and towns whether they can go to court. After an intense lobbying by National Riffle Association members, seven senators reversed their votes, and the bill passed 19-15.

6.

BAN USE OF KIDS TO ENFORCE TOBACCO LAWS: 5/25/99 vote on LD 2052, sponsored by state Representative Paul Waterhouse (R-Bridgton), to prohibit the Maine attorney general from using juveniles in sting operations to enforce the prohibition on selling cigarettes to minors. Waterhouse says minors should not be used to entrap store owners, but opponents say using juveniles is effective and worry federal funds for the program may be lost if the state cannot use juveniles. The bill was defeated 15-20.

7.

REPEAL SNACK TAX: 5/24/99 vote on LD 56, sponsored by state Representative Janice Labreque (R-Gorham), to eliminate the sales tax on snacks. Supporters of the bill say the tax is confusing and encourages border residents to shop out of state. Opponents say the state cannot afford to lose the $16 million a year in tax revenue. The bill was defeated 16-18.

8.

INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE 5/26/99 vote on LD 1891, to increase the state minimum wage from $5.15 to $5.65 November 1, 1999 to $6.15 November 1, 2000. Supporters say Maine's poorest workers need a raise, but opponents say Maine will be at a economic disadvantage because nearby states have not raised their minimum wage. The bill passed 20-15.

9.

RAISE GAS TAX: 6/5/99 vote on 957, a compromise plan to raise the gas tax by three cents a gallon in August and increase the automobile registration fee $2 in October. Supporters say the money is needed to fix Maine's roads, but opponents oppose a tax hike and say funds from the budget surplus should have been used. The bill passed 24-9.

House Votes:

1.

BAN PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION: 5/20/99 vote on LD 1593, (see Senate vote #1). The bill passed 74-70.

2.

PARENTAL CONSENT FOR ABORTION: 5/20/99 vote on LD 137, (see Senate vote #2). The bill was defeated 61-82.

3.

24-HOUR WAIT FOR ABORTION: 5/20/99 vote on LD 2123, (See senate vote #3). The bill was defeated 57-86.

4.

$500 PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX CREDIT: 5/21/99 vote on LD 1786, (see Senate vote

5.

REINSTATE DEATH PENALTY: 5/18/99 vote on LD 2214, sponsored by state Representative Debra Plowman (R-Hampden) to hold a statewide referendum to reinstate the death penalty. Supporters say Maine's most heinous criminals should be put to death, but opponents say the state should not take life and point to the string of innocent people recently released from death row. The bill was defeated 44-103.

6.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ALL: 5/21/99 vote on LD 2059, sponsored by state Representative Paul Volenik (D-Brooklin), to provide health insurance for all Maine residents funded by eliminating all sales tax exemptions and placing a 10 percent or greater surcharge on the individual and corporate income taxes. Volenik says providing health insurance for all is worth the extra taxes, but opponents say the proposal costs too much. The bill was defeated 55-92.

7.

LONGER TERM LIMITS: 6/2/99 vote on LD 1078, sponsored by state Senator Peter Mills (R-Somerset), to hold a statewide referendum to increase term limits for legislators and constitutional officers from 8 to 12 years. Supporters say longer terms will produce more knowledgeable public officials, but opponents say the voters decided on 8 years and the legislature should leave it alone. (There were numerous votes on the bill. This roll call revived the proposal at a key point.) The bill passed 77-70.

8.

INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE: 5/28/99 vote on LD 1891, (see Senate vote #8). The bill passed 78-66.

9.

RAISE GAS TAX: 6/5/99 vote on LD 957, a compromise plan to raise the gas tax (see Senate vote #9). The bill passed 101-40.