09/03/2020

COVID-19: Maine Governor Janet Mills Extends State of Emergency

On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, Governor Janet Mills issued a proclamation extending Maine’s state of civil emergency through October 1, 2020. This is the sixth proclamation renewing the state of civil emergency, and keeps Maine in line with nearly every other state in the nation.

As with the previous renewals, this proclamation allows Governor Mills to continue deploying all available state resources to respond to the pandemic. The proclamation also continues to grant emergency powers to the Department of Health and Human Services, and continues Maine’s eligibility for certain federal aid related to COVID-19.  With the onset of the new fiscal year on July 1, 2020, the numbering of Executive Orders has started at number 1 for Fiscal Year 2020/2021. 

The new proclamation does not change the expiration date of Executive Order 55 (FY19/20), An Order to Further Implement the Restarting Plan, which remains in effect until rescinded. Nor does it change the expiration dates of Executive Order 57 (FY19/20), An Order Regarding Travelers into Maine (which also authorizes the implementation of the Keep Maine Healthy Plan), or Executive Order 2 (FY 20/21), An Order Strengthening the Use of Face Coverings. These orders remain in effect unless sooner amended, renewed or terminated. 

In addition, several other executive orders are extended by their own terms as a result of the new proclamation. These orders, listed below, continue in effect until the termination of the state of civil emergency unless they are rescinded sooner. Details for each order can be found on Governor Mills’ official website:

  • Executive Order 5 (FY20/21), An Order Expanding Rent Supports and Continuing Housing Protections
  • Executive Order 6 (FY 20/21), An Order Regarding Outdoor Gatherings and Face Coverings for Children
  • Executive Order 9 (FY 20/21), An Order Amending Executive Orders 55 FY 19/20 and 1 FY 20/21
  • Executive Order 23 (FY 19/20), An Order Suspending Provisions of the Maine Pharmacy Act and Related Rules in Order to Facilitate the Continuation of Out-of-State Clinical Trials of Investigational Drugs during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Executive Order 35 (FY 19/20), An Order Suspending Enforcement of Provisions of Certain Licensing Statutes and Rules in Order to Facilitate Health Care and Veterinary Care During the State of Emergency Created by COVID-19
  • Executive Order 42 (FY 19/20), An Order Regarding a COVID-19 Related Loan Guarantee Program
  • Executive Order 43 (FY 19/20), An Order Expediting Extraordinary Emergency Financial Orders and Allotments by Waiving the Thirty Day Waiting Period During the State of Emergency
  • Executive Order 46 (FY 19/20), An Order Regarding Certain Law Enforcement Related Licensing Requirements and Training Deadlines
  • Executive Order 47 (FY 19/20), An Order Increasing Eligibility for Children’s Homeless Shelters During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Executive Order 48 (FY 19/20), An Order Modifying Certain Procedural Requirements for Emergency Rulemaking to Maximize Federal COVID-19 Funding for MaineCare
  • Executive Order 54 (FY 19/20), An Order Regarding Admissions to the Department of Corrections

The following orders will expire 30 days after the termination of the state of civil emergency unless rescinded sooner:

  • Executive Order 7 (FY 20/21), An Order Regarding Pre-K-12 Education
  • Executive Order 8 (FY 20/21), An Order to Facilitate the November 2020 General Election, to Ensure the Integrity of the Ballot and to Protect the Public Health During the COVID-19 Emergency
  • Executive Order 18 (FY 19/20), An Act Extending Compliance Dates Under Certain Motor Vehicle Laws
  • Executive Order 24 (FY 19/20), An Act Regarding Recycling and Solid Waste Facility Operating Hours Enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection
  • Executive Order 30-A (FY 19/20), An Order Regarding an Extension of the Current Use Taxation Deadline
  • Executive Order 31 (FY 19/20), An Order Extending Deadlines Related to Certain Property Tax Exemptions
  • Executive Order 37 (FY 19/20), An Order Temporarily Modifying Certain In-Person Notarization and Acknowledgement Requirements
  • Executive Order 38 (FY 19/20), An Order Regarding the Expiration of Optometric Lens Prescriptions
  • Executive Order 39 (FY 19/20), An Order Modifying the Primary Election to Reduce Exposure to COVID-19
  • Executive Order 40 (FY 19/20), An Order Regarding Unlawful Evictions, Writs of Possession and Initiation of Eviction Proceedings
  • Executive Order 44 (FY 19/20), An Order Extending a Certain Reporting Period

The following order will expire 90 days after the termination of the state of civil emergency unless rescinded sooner:

  • Executive Order 1 (FY 20/21), An Order Suspending Enforcement of Certain Licensing Statutes and Rules

For questions regarding this latest extension, or any of Governor Mills’ executive orders related to COVID-19, please contact government relations attorney Ann Robinson.