This bill establishes a dedicated fund to support the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory. It directs the State Liquor and Lottery Commission to create a $4 instant lottery game, with 50% of its net proceeds going to the fund starting by January 2026. The fund must be used exclusively for the lab's operations - including supplies, equipment, salaries, and educational materials - and cannot be diverted to other purposes. The Commission must report to the legislature by December 2028 on the lottery's revenue distribution to the fund and the General Fund. The bill directly affects the Tick Laboratory's funding stability and operations.
This bill (LD 1985) limits liability for landowners and road associations that maintain public easements (like abandoned roads) on their adjacent property. It protects them from lawsuits related to routine maintenance tasks (such as snowplowing, brush cutting, or culvert repairs) performed to access their own property, and for public use of the easement itself. However, it does not shield them from liability for willful or malicious actions creating known dangerous conditions. The law also clarifies that such maintenance work won’t trigger environmental penalties under Maine’s land use or environmental laws. It directly affects property owners, road associations, and municipalities managing these easements.
LD 1566 requires state agencies to compensate individuals with lived experience serving on certain advisory boards and commissions (specifically those defined under Maine law as having minimal authority) if they aren’t already paid by their employer or the entity they represent. It authorizes payment up to the legislative per diem rate ($25/day) for their time, plus reimbursement for expenses like meals, travel, child care, and meeting-related costs, provided the agency has budgeted funds. The bill applies to boards established under section 12004-I of Maine law and ensures compensation decisions are made by the relevant state department or agency. This change aims to support equitable participation by people directly affected by the board’s work, without requiring new state funding beyond existing agency budgets.
LD 1927 requires Maine landlords to inspect and address water leaks within 24 hours and repair the source within 5 days. For visible mold or dampness, landlords must inspect within 5 days of tenant notice, create a written remediation plan within 10 days, and use certified professionals for mold over 6 square feet. Landlords must disclose existing leaks, mold, or dampness to tenants before renting and cannot offer units with active issues. Tenants must notify landlords of leaks and grant access for inspections and repairs.
LD 870 increases the Maine Land Use Planning Commission's membership from 9 to 13 members. It requires the Governor to appoint 5 members meeting specific criteria (including residency, work, or expertise in the commission's jurisdiction), and mandates that each of the 8 counties with the most unorganized land appoint one commissioner through their county board of commissioners. All appointments must be confirmed by the Senate. The bill directly affects how the commission is staffed, impacting county governments, the Governor, and potential appointees with land use expertise.
This bill requires all Maine state institutions (like schools, hospitals, prisons, and universities) to increase purchases of Maine-grown food and food products. It sets a specific goal: by 2030, at least 30% of all food procured by these institutions must be from Maine sources. To achieve this, the bill creates a state-wide "Maine Foods Procurement Program" with a dedicated coordinator to manage contracts, coordinate dietary needs, and allow institutions to buy off-contract if it saves 20% or more. The law also mandates annual meetings and an advisory committee to track progress toward the 30% target.
LD 533 would allow Maine inmates in the Department of Corrections to voluntarily pay extra restitution to their crime victims beyond what is already required by court orders. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals and the victims of their crimes. Its key mechanism is an "opt-in" process, requiring inmates to actively choose to participate in this additional restitution program. This proposal does not change existing restitution laws but offers an optional pathway for inmates to provide further compensation to victims.
LD 1389 creates Maine's "Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time Program," a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. The program directly supports at-risk school-age youth (ages 5-13 facing educational challenges due to factors like poverty or limited English) by funding structured after-school, before-school, and summer activities provided by eligible community nonprofits, libraries, or statewide youth organizations. Key provisions establish a nonlapsing fund to expand or create out-of-school programming, require the department to set clear grant application rules and publish award details online, and ensure funding complements existing support like section 1053-B. The program aims to improve youth outcomes through evidence-based activities focused on academic success, safety, career exploration, and reducing risky behaviors.
LD 1755 increases Maine's historic property rehabilitation tax credit to 35% for projects in rural areas that include housing. It defines "rural area" as municipalities with fewer than 17,500 residents (per U.S. Census) and requires at least 33% of the building to be used for housing (like apartments or homes) to qualify. The credit applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2024, directly affecting property owners and developers renovating historic buildings in eligible rural communities. This change aims to incentivize housing-focused rehabilitation in smaller towns by expanding financial support for qualifying projects.
LD 1184 requires Maine municipalities to submit annual reports to the Department of Economic and Community Development. The reports must include data on residential building permits (categorized by home type), dwelling units permitted or demolished, and certificates of occupancy. Crucially, the reports must also track how many housing units are affordable to households earning 80% or less of the area median income (for "affordable" units) and those earning 81-120% (for "moderate" income units). This data will directly support the state's Housing Opportunity Program by providing transparency on housing production and affordability across communities.
This bill updates Maine's New Markets Tax Credit program to create two new fund types: "Maine funds" (requiring at least one Maine-resident executive with 5+ years in finance) and "diverse Maine funds" (requiring majority ownership/control by racial/ethnic minorities or Native American groups, or a majority-minority board). It sets strict time limits: funds must use allocated tax credits within 24 months (Program 1) or 6 months (Program 2), or the unused credits lapse. The bill caps total tax credits at $250 million per program, with annual limits of $20 million, and requires annual reports on private investment and job creation. These changes directly affect community development organizations seeking tax credits to fund investments in underserved Maine communities.
LD 874 establishes a Maine state program to provide financial relief to Maine-resident state and federal employees who lose pay during government shutdowns lasting over 7 days. The bill creates a special fund managed by the Treasurer to guarantee loans made by eligible Maine credit unions or financial institutions to these affected employees. Employees must prove their Maine residency, employment status, and income to qualify for loans covering up to 90 days of lost wages during the shutdown. The state will reimburse lenders for any unpaid loans through the fund, with repayment guaranteed for borrowers during the shutdown period or a 90-day grace period after. This program directly benefits Maine-based government workers facing financial hardship due to federal or state shutdowns.
