Senator Nathan L. Libby

Assistant Senate Democratic Leader

(W a/ 44 Robinson Gardens, Lewiston, ME 04240

Of?ce: (207) 287-1515 /H0me: (207) 713-8449
Me Email: 

Senate 912115212! 2/

March 7, 2017

Testimony in Support of LD 441
An Act To Require Certi?cation under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's
Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

Senator Volk, Representative Fecteau, and members of the Committee on Labor, Commerce,
Research, and Economic Development: I am Nate Libby, I proudly represent all of the people of
Lewiston in the Maine Senate, and I am here today to present LD 441, An Act To Require
Certi?cation under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Lead Renovation,
Repair and Painting Rule.

This bill requires contractors engaged in painting, renovation, remodeling, maintenance or repair
activities on buildings constructed before 1978 to have on-site a person certi?ed by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency under the federal renovation, repair and painting rule
(RRP). It also requires persons performing maintenance on a multi-unit residential building,
when the owner of which receives public money in the form of a housing subsidy or voucher, to
be certi?ed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The goal of this legislation is to require individuals who are maintaining or renovating pre-1978
residential structures to have, to at least a limited degree, have undergone proper lead abatement
training, or have at least one member of the crew doing maintained or renovation have
undergone proper lead abatement training.

 

It is shameful that nearly 40 years after the US EPA began banning lead paint from widespread
commercial use, that children in Maine continue to be lead poisoned. Lead poisoning causes
permanent and irreversible cognitive impairment, impacting a child?s ability to reach their full
potential in school and in work.

Enclosed please ?nd in my testimony information on acquiring RRP certi?cation in Maine, and

one part of a multi-part story from the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting on the federal
govemment?s lackluster and nonexistent enforcement of current rules.

F035 (307) 287-1585 TTY (207) 287-1583 Message Service 1?800-423-6900 Website: legislature.maine.g0v/senate

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel it is incumbent on us to bring state resources to bear in enforcing safe lead abatement and
lead paint handling. I thank the Committee for their consideration of this legislation, and would
be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Nate Libby