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Delegation outlines shoreline resilience measures; LD 228 allows limited seawall raising and LD 560 bond is carryover
Summary
Representative Copeland and Sen. Donna Bailey briefed the council on recent shoreline laws: LD 228 now allows coastal seawalls to be raised up to two feet, LD 65 revised coastal‑wetland definitions, and LD 560 (a general‑fund bond for coastal resiliency) carries over to the next session.
Representative Copeland and Sen. Donna Bailey updated the council on shoreline and coastal‑resilience legislation on Sept. 22, including enacted measures and a bonding proposal carried to the next legislative session.
Copeland detailed enacted and carryover items. LD 228—"an act to allow coastal seawalls to be raised by up to 2 feet in order to accommodate predicted sea level rise"—was enacted and is chapter 122 of the public laws, she said. "LD 228...is now chapter 122 public law," Copeland said. She also noted LD 65 updated the definition of coastal wetlands under the Natural Resources Protection Act and shoreline zoning, and that LD 946 (chapter 85 resolves) from a prior legislative session remains active for shore‑damage mitigation work in Saco Bay.
Copeland described LD 560 (listed in the transcript as LD 5 60) as a general‑fund bond proposal to improve coastal climate resiliency that was carried over to the next session and would be considered in the bond package. Sen. Bailey said bond bills typically require negotiation and two‑thirds legislative support to reach voters, making passage a heavy lift but attainable through bipartisan deals. "It is a heavy lift because it does require two thirds of the legislature," Bailey said.
Councilor Berman asked whether counties would be eligible to apply for funds under LD 560. Bailey answered that counties would be allowed and that earlier bills (LD 1 referenced in discussion) had been amended to permit county applications; she urged municipalities to advocate for inclusion if needed. Both Copeland and Bailey encouraged local officials to watch hearings and to communicate municipal priorities to the delegation and the Governor's office as bond negotiations proceed.
No municipal vote was taken; the presentation was informational and councilors were urged to coordinate with county officials and the delegation on messaging and eligibility questions ahead of the bond negotiation process.
