Issue Position: Accountability Act

Issue Position

The State of Maine approves, adopts and implements code and most municipalities follow suit and adopt the same code.
The process provides a tangible benefit and a more uniform approach to our code throughout the state.

Municipalities have the choice to adopt the code or implement their own and some communities have chosen to adopt their own code in lue of the State approved code. Other municipalities add on changes and amendments to the state code in order to address their local issues.

The ability for cities and towns to increase regulation has proven to cause problems. Cities and towns are not subject to the same process the state uses while implemented changes. The local boards are often not held accountable for these changes and many are never questioned prior to implementation and only after which the unintended consequences become apparent.

The Accountability Act would require that any change in the state code by the municipality will be subject to a rigorous approval process by the local elected body prior to adoption. All code changes at the local level would be subject to and include a mandatory fiscal note in the local approval process.

This would ensure the municipalities are properly vetting the changes, what those changes cost the resident or business owner and what the changes might cost the town in terms of regulating or enforcing. All local ordinances would be required to have a fiscal note attached so the community may have a better understanding of the intention of their local elected board.

The Accountability Act would also restrict and block the implementation of any code enacted that has the appearance of being retaliatory or for otherwise any political or personal purpose.

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