AUGUSTA – A bill that would exempt free meals for Maine restaurant workers from the state’s 5 percent use tax has been given the go-ahead to be considered by lawmakers this legislative session.

Reps. Rick Burns of Berwick and Seth Berry of Bowdoinham introduced a bill to exempt the free meals from the tax after it came to light that the owner of string of Subway sandwich shops was being billed for back taxes on free lunches he had given employees.

Maine Revenue Services said Loren Goodridge owed the state $2,500 in taxes and another $500 in interest for thousands of free sandwiches he gave employees over the years.