Wednesday, September 27, 2023
In light of several recent "Zoom bombing" incidents, MMA Legal Services has developed guidance on administering public comment at municipal board meetings with remote means for participation.
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Thursday, September 21, 2023
In collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and Office of Fiscal and Program Review, the Secretary of State has published the Citizen's Guide to the 2023 Maine Referendum Election, which provides a non-partisan overview of the ballot measures voters will consider at the polls this November. Click here to review the guide.
Thursday, September 21, 2023
The U.S. Treasury is reporting that 4,300 ARPA recipients have not filed required reports. Although the list of non-filers has not been released, it is possible that some municipalities in Maine have missed the deadline. The concern among municipal officials is if reporting deadlines are not fulfilled, the federal government will seek to “claw back” the distributed revenue. Even if a municipality has nothing to report, they must comply with the filing...
Friday, September 15, 2023
MMA Legal Services has developed guidance on municipal rights and obligations under FOAA.
Guidance
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Update 8/31 –The state statute modifying the new sales procedures for tax-acquired property (30-A M.R.S. § 943-C) requires municipalities to use forms notices and instructions provided by Maine Revenue Services. Those forms are now available on the Maine Revenue Services Website. MMA Legal Services has updated its guidance on the new sales procedures to reflect this new information.
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Tuesday, August 29, 2023
The Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) is seeking public comments on proposed rules impacting the delivery, return, marketing and advertising of adult use cannabis, as well as the requirements for specified event permits. A copy of the proposed rules can be found here. OCP is accepting public comments through September 17, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. and will host an in-person public hearing on September 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. as another opportunity to solicit public comments and address...
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Updated guidance is available on the new sales procedure for tax-acquired property in Maine. These changes to state statute were prompted by the recent Supreme Court ruling in Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, 43 S.Ct. 1369, decided May 25, 2023.
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Friday, May 26, 2023
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, which is likely to have a major impact on municipal sales of tax-acquired real estate. Read more on the case from MMA Legal Services here.
Monday, May 22, 2023
The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) has issued a Final Rule implementing legislation enacted last year aimed at removing regulatory barriers to affordable housing production in Maine. The “Affordable Housing Law” requires additional density allowances for affordable housing developments and requires that municipalities allow multiple dwelling units and accessory dwelling units in specified areas (see 30-A M.R.S. §§ 4364 –...
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
With the April 30, 2023 ARPA reporting deadline facing most municipalities, both the U.S. Treasury and the National Leagues of Cities (NLC) have developed resources to help guide municipalities through the process.
For answers to reporting questions, please contact the Treasury’s help desk at SLFRF@treasury.gov or call (844) 529-9527. Additionally, federal self-help resources can be found here, and a video describing the reporting process found here. The NLC has...