Maine Congressional Bills

in committee · Maine · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2763: American Family Act

The American Family Act (HR 2763) establishes a new refundable child tax credit that provides monthly payments to eligible families with children. It would pay $300 per month for each child under age 6 and $360 per month (120% of $300) for each child age 6 or older, with income limits of $150,000 for joint filers and $112,500 for other filers. The bill creates a "period of presumptive eligibility" to determine eligibility for monthly payments, allowing families to receive advance payments based on information from previous tax returns. This would directly affect millions of families with children who meet the income requirements, providing more consistent financial support throughout the year rather than an annual tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Rosa L. DeLauro (D) · 214 co-sponsors

in committee · Maine · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2781: ENLIST Act

HR 2781, the ENLIST Act, requires certain secondary schools to display and make accessible military recruiting information during school hours. This bill amends existing law to add this specific requirement for schools covered under the provision. It directly affects secondary schools that receive federal funding under the referenced section of the U.S. Code. The key mechanism is mandating the display of military recruiting details as part of the school's informational resources during regular school time.

in committee · Maine · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2799: Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025

HR 2799, the Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025, prohibits the sale, possession, and modification of devices that increase the firing rate of semi-automatic firearms to mimic machine guns (commonly called "bump stocks"). It specifically bans manual, power-driven, or electronic devices designed to speed up firing, as well as modified firearms that achieve this effect. Owners of pre-existing modified firearms must register them within 120 days of the law's enactment, with exemptions for government entities and firearms already lawfully modified and registered before the bill passes. The bill does not restrict standard semi-automatic firearms or require registration of unmodified guns.

Dina Titus (D) · 151 co-sponsors

in committee · Maine · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2757: Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025

This bill expands Medicare coverage to include audiology services provided by qualified audiologists without requiring a physician referral or supervision. Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare will pay 80% of the standard rate for these services, which include hearing and balance assessments and treatment. It specifically allows audiologists to legally provide these services under state law, as long as they are covered if provided by a physician. The bill does not expand the types of services covered beyond those already payable under Medicare as of December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Gus M. Bilirakis (R) · 38 co-sponsors

in committee · Maine · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2576: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025

This bill, the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025, improves support for veterans and service members who experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which includes sexual assault, battery, or harassment during military service. It establishes specialized teams to review MST claims, allows veterans to choose where their VA medical exam for MST claims takes place, and expands eligibility for MST counseling to all former reserve members. The bill requires VA to provide sensitive communications to MST survivors, connect veterans to health care when they submit MST claims, and provide clear contact information for MST support resources. It also mandates annual reviews of MST claim processing accuracy and ensures individuals who withdraw from service academies can access care and records related to MST.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · Maine · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 1423: Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025

HR 1423, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025, expands GI Bill benefits to National Guard members who serve on full-time National Guard duty or active duty under Title 32. It removes previous exclusions by counting this service toward eligibility for Post-9/11 educational benefits, just like active-duty service. The change applies retroactively to service performed since September 11, 2001, allowing affected veterans to access benefits they were previously denied. This policy adjustment directly affects National Guard members who completed qualifying full-time duty since 2001.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Mike Levin (D) · 57 co-sponsors

in committee · Maine · Senate Apr 8, 2025

S 1324: A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to modify eligibility for the State response to contaminants program, and for other purposes.

This bill (S 1324) makes technical corrections to the Safe Drinking Water Act's eligibility rules for states seeking assistance under the State Response to Contaminants program. It clarifies who qualifies for federal grants, specifically allowing states to apply on behalf of: (1) disadvantaged communities meeting state affordability criteria, (2) small communities (under 10,000 people) lacking debt capacity, or (3) private drinking water well owners not connected to public systems. The changes streamline how states identify eligible communities and well owners for funding to address water contaminants. This is a procedural adjustment to existing program rules, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Maine · Senate Apr 8, 2025

S 1336: A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a grant program to address forestry workforce development needs, and for other purposes.

S 1336, the "Jobs in the Woods Act," creates a federal grant program to support forestry workforce training in underserved rural communities. It provides funding for eligible entities (like nonprofits, tribes, local governments, and colleges) to develop training programs in areas meeting specific criteria: nonmetropolitan, low-income, small-population communities with reliable broadband access. Grants range from $500,000 to $2 million per award for up to 4 years, with priority given to programs addressing aging forestry workforces and youth migration, and partnerships with schools. The program is authorized to receive $10 million annually from 2025 through 2029.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Maine · Senate Apr 8, 2025

S 1337: Cybersecurity Information Sharing Extension Act

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Extension Act (S 1337) extends the expiration date of a key provision in the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 from 2025 to 2035. This provision enables private companies and government agencies to share cybersecurity threat information without legal liability. The extension ensures the current information-sharing framework remains active until 2035, providing ongoing legal certainty for participants. It directly affects organizations that rely on this program to enhance their cyber defense capabilities.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Maine · Senate Apr 8, 2025

S 1342: Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2025

This bill creates a new $30 million annual Weatherization Readiness Fund (2026-2030) to help states fix structural defects in low-income homes before weatherization can be installed. It directly affects low-income households in states receiving Weatherization Assistance Program funds, by requiring states to use these funds to repair hazards that block weatherization work. The bill also raises the maximum per-unit cost limit for fully weatherized homes from $6,500 to $15,000 and adds flexibility for the Secretary to adjust costs based on market conditions. These changes aim to streamline the weatherization process and increase funding efficiency for eligible homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

in committee · Maine · Senate Apr 8, 2025

S 1345: America's First Fuels Act

This bill increases tax incentives for residential and commercial biomass heating systems. It raises the energy efficient home improvement credit cap to $2,000 for certain biomass stoves/boilers and $10,000 for others, effective after 2025. It also creates a new 30% investment tax credit for qualifying "open-loop biomass heating property" (systems using biomass for space heating, hot water, or industrial heat) that meet specific efficiency (75% minimum), size (under 50 MMBtu), and emissions control requirements. These changes directly affect homeowners and businesses installing eligible biomass heating equipment by reducing their tax burden for qualifying purchases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Maine · House Apr 8, 2025

HR 2743: Raise the Wage Act of 2025

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 gradually increases the federal minimum wage from $9.50 to $17.00 per hour over six years, with annual adjustments based on median wage growth. It raises the base wage for tipped workers from $6.00 to $17.00 per hour, phasing out their separate minimum wage structure by 2029. The bill also eliminates special minimum wage certificates for disabled workers after 2029, requiring employers to pay the standard minimum wage. These changes apply to most covered workers, including tipped employees and those under 20, with specific transition timelines for each group.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Maine Congressional Bills

Bill results