The Maine Code of Corporate Responsibility and Citizen Rights, introduced by Rep. John Eder of Portland, amends corporate charter law to enlarge the responsibilities of directors. At present, they are responsible only for serving the interests of the corporation - generating short-term profits for the stockholders - and so are actually required by law to ignore the public interest. This code, drafted in concert with former corporate attorney and Maine resident Robert Hinkley and attorney William Crain of Pownal, will correct what Hinkley calls a terrible "flaw in the corporation's design." When enacted, LD 1474 will:

• prohibit corporate directors from pursuing profit "at the expense of the environment, human rights, public health or safety, welfare of the communities in which the corporation operates or dignity of its employees";
• immediately enable corporate directors who want to support the well-being of Maine's people, communities, and environment to do so legally;
• make Maine a leader in a movement that's gathering momentum in Minnesota, California, and other states; and
• support small corporations and encourage larger ones that are committed to Maine.