Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period in order to apply to the current heating season; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §4991, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §23 and affected by §25, is amended to read:

2. Fuel assistance. "Fuel assistance" means assistance paid to eligible households or, to fuel vendors on behalf of an eligible household or directly to landlords who provide oil heat to eligible tenants who pay heating costs as an undesignated portion of rent.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that assistance provided under the Low- income Home Energy Assistance Program for a tenant whose landlord provides oil heat be paid to the landlord.