This bill prohibits securing a watercraft to a mooring owned or leased by someone else without their permission. It directly affects boat owners who use others' moorings without authorization, making it a Class E crime if they refuse to release the boat, leave it unattended, or damage the mooring. Violators must also pay restitution for any financial losses caused to the mooring owner or lessee. Exceptions apply for clearly marked rental moorings (with payment attempts) and emergencies where law enforcement is immediately contacted.
This bill requires dance instructors who teach children under 18 in non-school settings (such as private studios) to undergo a criminal background check. It excludes school-affiliated instructors and credentialed school employees covered under existing education rules. The Department of Health and Human Services must adopt implementing rules by December 2026 and submit a report to lawmakers by December 2025 on the rulemaking progress and potential licensing recommendations. The background checks must meet federal standards for child safety.
LD 716 establishes a new coyote hunting season in Maine running from October 1 to March 31 each year, replacing the previous December 16 to August 31 season. The bill requires hunters to obtain a permit for nighttime coyote hunting and imposes penalties including a $500 fine, one-year license revocation, and additional fees for violations. It also allows state wildlife officials to appoint agents to hunt coyotes using artificial light from September 1 to December 15. This directly affects hunters who pursue coyotes outside the designated season or without a permit for nighttime hunts. The law updates enforcement mechanisms while maintaining existing restrictions on coyote hunting during other times.
LD 469 requires that at least 50% of electricity delivered through high-impact transmission lines carrying Canadian-generated power must be consumed within Maine. This rule applies to new transmission lines approved after December 31, 2026, for projects delivering electricity through Maine to other states via the New England grid. The Public Utilities Commission must deny approval for lines failing this standard unless grid reliability or regional energy agreements are at risk (a temporary exception set to end in 2031). Companies operating such lines must report quarterly on electricity distribution and face penalties, including fines up to $575,000 or 5% of revenue from out-of-state sales for violations.
LD 216 changes the statutory adjournment date for Maine's second regular legislative session from the third Wednesday preceding Patriot's Day (the third Monday in April) to the Wednesday immediately before Patriot's Day. This shortens the session by approximately two weeks, requiring lawmakers to complete business earlier. The bill directly affects the Maine Legislature's schedule, specifically the timing for the second regular session. It is a procedural adjustment to the legislative calendar, not a substantive policy change.
This bill requires Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to raise reimbursement rates for non-hospital detoxification services for substance use disorder treatment. By January 1, 2026, the department must update its rules to pay at least $594.38 per day for these services. The change directly affects substance use treatment facilities that provide medically supervised detox outside of hospitals. This policy adjustment aims to improve payment for critical early-stage treatment services under MaineCare.
In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
LD 805 directs Maine's Board of Licensure in Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Licensure to study whether merging into a single board for licensing physicians and physician assistants is feasible. The study must prioritize public safety and be completed by December 31, 2025. The boards will submit their findings to the Health Coverage Committee, which may propose legislation based on the report for the next legislative session. This bill does not change current licensing rules but initiates an evaluation of potential structural changes.
This bill directs Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to study barriers preventing all pregnant or parenting individuals and families from being referred to the state's maternal and child health home visiting program, "CradleME." The department must develop recommendations for removing these barriers and increasing referrals, seeking input from stakeholders. It requires a final report - including suggested legislation - to the Health and Human Services committee by December 3, 2025. The committee may then propose new laws based on the findings for consideration in the next legislative session. The resolve does not change current law but initiates a study to improve access.
This bill gives Maine towns the right to purchase property owned by the University of Maine System or similar quasi-independent state entities before it's sold to others. If such a property is located within a town's boundaries, the state entity must first get an independent appraisal of its market value and notify the town in writing. The town then has 30 days to formally request the purchase and must complete the transaction within three months. This directly affects towns seeking to acquire land owned by state entities and requires those entities to follow specific notification and appraisal steps before selling.
This bill allocates $1 million annually from the General Fund and $1.63 million annually from the Federal Expenditures Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to support in-home personal support services for qualified senior citizens in Maine. It directly affects senior citizens eligible under MaineCare's Home and Community Benefits for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities program (MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 19) and the service providers who deliver these supports. The key provision is the specific annual funding appropriation to maintain and expand access to these in-home services. The bill does not alter eligibility criteria but ensures continued financial support for an existing program.
LD 476 bans the sale or offer for sale of loose polystyrene packing peanuts (used for shipping) in Maine after January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects retailers, manufacturers, and businesses that sell these packing materials within the state. It prohibits selling any product made of loose polystyrene pieces specifically designed for packing, effective January 1, 2027. The law targets a common single-use packaging item without specifying enforcement details or environmental impacts. This is a straightforward sales prohibition with no additional provisions or exemptions mentioned in the bill text.
