LD 2038 Maine House · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act To Require Maine Transmission And Distribution Utility Participation In A Regional Transmission Organization

This bill requires transmission and distribution utilities in Maine to participate in a regional transmission organization, which is a group that manages electricity flow across multiple utilities. The law applies to all utilities owning or controlling transmission and distribution plants in the state, with two exceptions: consumer-owned utilities and those operating in areas where the retail electricity market is managed by the independent system administrator for northern Maine. By mandating participation, the bill aims to standardize how electricity transmission is coordinated across the region while allowing specific types of utilities to opt out under defined circumstances.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Dec 3, 2025 Signed Apr 6, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2026 · House Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

226
Passed
Total votes 28
Mar 26, 2026
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
I Independent1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican9
3 Yea 6 Nay
66% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
37
Key actions
12
Committee
8
Apr 6, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Mar 30, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (65-59-10)
house
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-585) thereto ADOPTED.
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
On motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-585) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) READ and ADOPTED.
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) READ.
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) Report ACCEPTED.
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (22-6)
senate
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-880) was READ and ADOPTED.
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
legislature
Dec 3, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Christopher Kessler
Christopher Kessler
DDemocratic
ME
121