AUGUSTA — A series of non-emergency laws sponsored and championed by Senator Dave Miramant, D-Camden, that support Maine children, seniors, families and small businesses, took effect Monday, Oct. 18.

Highlights, according to a news release, include new laws to provide access to lifesaving insulin, offer property tax relief, expand access to quality child care and ban corporate contributions to political candidates.

“Maine people deserve a Legislature that will fight for them,” said Sen. Miramant. “That’ why I’m so proud of everything we could accomplish this year. We stepped up and funded education at 55 percent for the first time, improved the disability retirement system for our state employees and renewed the Maine Lobster Collaborative.”

This session, Sen. Miramant championed legislation to support working people as a member of the Labor and Housing Committee.

According to the release, he fought for laws that improve Maine employees’ disability retirement system; expand apprenticeship opportunities for Maine workers, forbid housing discrimination on the basis of race, sex and more; and establish the rental relief fund through Maine Housing.

In addition to his work on the Labor and Housing Committee, Sen. Miramant fought to pass bills he introduced to expand the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative and fund education at 55 percent for the first time since Maine voters mandated it at the ballot box in 2004.

This year, lawmakers also made impactful investments for Maine people and municipalities. Lawmakers signed off on a plan to fully restore revenue sharing by 2023. Maine lawmakers also voted to send $300 as a “hazard bonus” to eligible Maine workers who worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

All non-emergency laws take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die unless otherwise specified.