LD 499 Maine House · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act To Prohibit Geoengineering

LD 499 prohibits individuals, organizations, or entities in Maine from conducting, authorizing, or funding any geoengineering activity, which includes climate-altering techniques like solar radiation management, stratospheric aerosol injection, cloud seeding, and carbon dioxide removal. The bill defines geoengineering as deliberate large-scale intervention in Earth's natural systems to counter climate change, with exemptions only for controlled scientific research approved by the Department of Environmental Protection (which must submit annual environmental impact reports). Violations constitute a Class E crime punishable by a $10,000 daily fine. This law directly affects anyone planning or funding such activities within Maine, excluding authorized research.
Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 6, 2025 Last action Apr 30, 2025
Floor votes · House Apr 29, 2025

How they voted

7952
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 135
Apr 29, 2025
D Democratic66
65 Yea 1
98% Yea
I Independent3
3 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican66
11 Yea 52 Nay 3
78% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Apr 29, 2025
Committee
On motion of Representative DOUDERA of Camden, the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Apr 29, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (79-52-4)
house
Apr 25, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - ONTP/OTP-AM
legislature
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
lower
0 primary · 8 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.