LD 838 Maine Senate · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act To Explore Public Financing And Ownership Of Electric Transmission And Distribution Infrastructure

LD 838 is a concept draft proposing to explore whether public ownership and financing of Maine's electric transmission and distribution infrastructure could lower electricity costs for ratepayers. The bill would direct the state to study the feasibility of this approach as a potential savings strategy, focusing on how public management might reduce costs for electricity consumers. It does not implement any immediate changes but initiates a formal review process to evaluate potential benefits for Maine's electricity customers.
Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Last action Apr 29, 2026
Floor votes · House Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

6461
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 134
Mar 25, 2026
D Democratic65
62 Yea 3
95% Yea
I Independent3
2 Yea 1
66% Yea
R Republican66
61 Nay 5
92% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
34
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
FINALLY PASSED.
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (S-566) was READ and ADOPTED.
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Mar 25, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (64-61-9)
house
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (S-566) READ and ADOPTED.
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED.
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
legislature
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY.
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors