LD 2153 Maine House · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act To Transfer The Responsibilities Of The Governor'S Energy Office To The Department Of Energy Resources

This bill transfers oversight of energy policy from Maine's Governor's Energy Office to the Department of Energy Resources. It modifies two key processes: (1) requires the Department to undergo a state review by 2027 (previously 2033), and (2) sets a 120-day deadline for the Public Utilities Commission to approve or reject energy contracts negotiated by the Department. The bill also clarifies that the Department may share certain contract details with the Commission during approval, while keeping most negotiation materials confidential. These changes streamline energy policy implementation and oversight within the Department.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
8
Committee
8
Mar 23, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-835) READ and ADOPTED.
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED.
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-835) was READ and ADOPTED.
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
legislature
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
On motion by Senator Lawrence of York REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218, in concurrence.
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
Representative SACHS for the Department of Energy Resources pursuant to Public Law 2025, chapter 476, Part B, section 1, reports that the Bill be REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Melanie Sachs
Melanie Sachs
DDemocratic
ME
102