Portland committee votes to track dozens of state bills, supports cannabis revenue sharing, recovery-residence rental aid and retired-teacher insurance

Portland's Legislative and Nomination Committee voted on Feb. 5 to place dozens of pending state bills on the city's tracker and unanimously approved formal support for three measures: a local cannabis revenue-sharing bill, a rental-assistance program for certified recovery residences, and an increase in the state's share of retired teachers' health insurance premiums.

The committee met at Portland City Hall and was chaired by Mayor Mark Dion. Members present who took part in votes included Councilor Kate Sykes (District 5) and Councilor Ben Grant (at-large); Councilor Anna Bullitt (District 4) attended as a guest. City Manager Danielle West and contract counsel Kate Knox of Bernstein Shore joined staff and lobby team members Lisa and Alicia for the review.

Why it matters: committee members said the bills under review could affect Portland's budget, municipal operations and service providers. Several items on the tracker have public hearings this week, and staff said they will prepare testimony where the city has taken formal positions.

Most important outcomes

- Support: LD 347 (local cannabis revenue sharing). The committee voted to support a bill that would establish a local government cannabis revenue fund and transfer 12% of adult-use cannabis sales tax and excise tax revenues to a fund distributed to towns where licensed establishments operate. Councilor Ben Grant moved to support and Councilor Kate Sykes seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

- Support: LD 215 (rental assistance for residents of large recovery residences). The committee voted to support a proposal to create a…