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Maine Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 11,715 Active 212 In committee 7,728 Passed 1,646 Signed 3,583 Failed 4,371

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 21, 2026

LD 350: An Act Regarding The Operations Of The Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife

LD 350 is a concept draft (as indicated in the bill text) proposing amendments to the operational laws of Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The provided context does not include specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties, as this is only a preliminary draft for discussion under Joint Rule 208. Concept drafts like this do not contain final language and are intended to guide further legislative development. Without detailed text or amendments in the given context, a substantive summary of the bill's concrete policy changes cannot be provided.

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 19, 2026

LD 1962: An Act To Establish The Corrections Ombudsman

LD 1962 establishes an independent Office of the Corrections Ombudsman within Maine's Department of Corrections to improve transparency and address concerns in state correctional facilities. The ombudsman, appointed by the Governor with legislative confirmation, will receive and investigate complaints from incarcerated people and staff, report systemic issues to officials, and promote humane treatment standards. Key provisions include a 3-year term for the ombudsman, strict conflict-of-interest rules (e.g., no recent department employment), and funding set at 0.13%-0.16% of the department's annual budget. The office directly affects individuals in state correctional facilities (excluding county jails) and staff, providing a formal channel to resolve concerns and recommend policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 19, 2026

LD 1488: An Act Regarding Cannabis Testing And The Manufacture Of Cannabis And Hemp Products

This bill allows licensed cannabis manufacturing facilities in Maine to also produce non-cannabis products (like food or cosmetics) within the same facility, provided strict separation rules are followed. Key provisions require equipment to be sanitized between cannabis and non-cannabis production, products to be stored separately, and accurate labeling for both product types. It also clarifies that creating edibles using cannabis extracts (like in baked goods) does not count as "further processing" that would invalidate required testing. The bill directly affects licensed manufacturing facilities handling both cannabis and hemp products.

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 2245: An Act To Reauthorize Funding Of Collective Bargaining Agreements With Executive Branch Employees

This Maine state bill reauthorizes funding for collective bargaining agreements with executive branch employees, specifically extending the deadline for the Maine Service Employees Association to ratify its agreement from December 31, 2025, to August 31, 2026. It directs that salary increases and other costs be covered by transferring available balances within the state's General Fund and Highway Fund. The legislation also grants the Governor authority to provide equitable pay adjustments for confidential employees, probationary staff, and others excluded from collective bargaining units. These changes apply retroactively to September 24, 2025, ensuring that previous funding provisions are amended to reflect the new timeline for the Maine Service Employees Association.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 2233: An Act To Combine The Board Of Licensure In Medicine And Board Of Osteopathic Licensure Into A Single Licensing Board For All Physicians And Physician Associates

This Maine legislation merges the Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure into a single entity called the Maine Board of Medicine, which will regulate allopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians, and physician associates starting January 1, 2027. The new board is composed of 22 members, including representatives from each medical profession and public members, who are appointed by the Governor to oversee licensing standards and disciplinary actions. While the bill consolidates administrative functions under one agency, it explicitly states that this does not combine the distinct professions into a single practice category. Additionally, the act requires the existing boards to submit a planning report to the state legislature by January 31, 2027, to facilitate the transition and identify any necessary follow-up legislation.

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 2232: An Act To Increase County Jail Funding

Maine's LD 2232 increases state funding for county jails by raising the annual appropriation to the County Jail Operations Fund from $20.3 million to $28.3 million starting July 1, 2026, with a requirement for a 4% annual increase thereafter. The bill also mandates an additional $5 million in state funding specifically for community corrections and pretrial release programs, such as electronic monitoring and alternative housing. These changes directly affect county taxpayers by shifting more of the operational cost burden to the state, while ensuring that unspent funds carry over to future years rather than lapsing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 2213: An Act Making Supplemental Allocations From The Highway Fund And Other Funds For The Expenditures Of State Government And Changing Certain Provisions Of The Law Necessary To The Proper Operations Of State Government For The Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 And June 30, 2027

This emergency bill, submitted by the Governor of Maine, proposes to make supplemental financial allocations from the Highway Fund and other state funds for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027. The legislation aims to adjust certain legal provisions to ensure the proper operation of state government agencies during this period. As a concept draft, it serves as a placeholder for the specific budgetary details and operational changes that will be finalized in subsequent documents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 2226: An Act To Amend The Essential Programs And Services School Funding Formula

Maine LD 2226 amends the state's school funding formula to change how financial support is calculated for public schools and charter schools. The bill introduces a new method for predicting student transportation costs, capping them at 105% of recent actual expenditures adjusted for inflation, and updates the regional cost-of-living adjustment to align with teacher salary matrices. It also modifies funding weights for economically disadvantaged students and raises the special education prevalence threshold from 15% to 17%, while altering how high-cost special education placements are reimbursed. Additionally, the legislation caps certain maintenance of effort adjustments and prohibits midyear funding increases for unexpected out-of-district special education tuition costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 16, 2026

LD 2225: An Act To Support Municipal Enforcement Of Residential Construction Laws, Codes And Regulations

Maine LD 2225 strengthens municipal enforcement of residential construction laws by adding a standard for off-site and modular building construction to the state's uniform building codes. The bill establishes fixed dates for when code updates take effect, requiring changes made in the first half of the year to apply by December 1 and those made in the second half to apply by June 1 of the following year. It also increases a surcharge on plan review fees from 4 cents to 6 cents per square foot to fund building codes activities and mandates that code enforcement officer training include specific instruction on industrialized housing. Additionally, the legislation directs the Maine Office of Community Affairs to run a three-year pilot project, funded by a $1 million transfer, to support municipalities in adopting regionalized approaches to code enforcement.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 16, 2026

LD 2216: An Act To Establish The Maine Blue Economy Center

This bill establishes the Maine Blue Economy Center as an independent public entity to coordinate and expand economic activities related to aquaculture, marine research, and coastal infrastructure. The center will be governed by a 15-member board and will manage a dedicated fund to provide grants, loans, and incentives to certified businesses, research institutions, and educational organizations in the state. It authorizes the center to issue bonds and accept various forms of financial assistance while requiring annual financial reports to the legislature for oversight. The legislation appropriates $1 million in one-time funding from the General Fund for the fiscal year 2026-27 to cover initial startup costs.

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 16, 2026

LD 2244: An Act To Implement Certain Preliminary Recommendations Of The Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force And To Make Other Changes To Tax Law

Maine LD 2244 increases the property tax fairness credit for residents under age 65 from $1,000 to $1,500 for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. The bill also extends the operational timeline of the Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force by permitting it to hold up to eight meetings in 2026. Additionally, it directs the Bureau of Revenue Services to conduct a survey with assessors regarding the administration of the Maine Tree Growth Tax Law and submit findings to the Legislature by January 15, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 16, 2026

LD 2141: An Act To Direct A Portion Of Unclaimed Beverage Container Deposits To The Lake Water Quality Restoration And Protection Fund, The Maine Working Farmland Access And Protection Program And Public Defender Office Staffing

This bill directs unclaimed beverage container deposits to three specific Maine programs starting in 2026, affecting the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund, the Maine Working Farmland Access and Protection Program, and public defender office staffing. Beginning October 1, 2026, $2 million annually will be allocated to the lake water quality fund and another $2 million to the farmland protection program, while $2 million will support public defender staffing starting August 1, 2026. The legislation also requires the beverage container cooperative to report annually on funding levels and recommend adjustments if unclaimed deposits decrease. These changes modify existing state statutes to establish new funding streams from the bottle deposit system for environmental conservation, agricultural land preservation, and legal defense services.

Topics ✓ Environment