This bill replaces Maine's old "WE CARE" program with the new "Make Change for Wildlife" program. It allows businesses to collect voluntary customer contributions at checkout (up to $10,000 annually per business) and deduct those amounts from their corporate income tax for tax years starting January 1, 2026. All funds collected through this program must be deposited into the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund. The program directly affects businesses that participate in collecting contributions and the wildlife fund, which supports conservation efforts for non-game and endangered species in Maine.
LD 1800 prohibits insurance companies and health plan administrators from requiring dentists and other dental professionals to charge specific fees for dental services not covered by a patient's insurance plan. The bill stops these entities from setting or approving fees for uncovered services, ensuring dental providers can determine their own pricing for such care. It applies to insurers, health care service contractors, health maintenance organizations, and third-party administrators managing dental plans. The law also requires that fees for covered services must be set in good faith and not nominal.
This bill creates a new certification pathway for Maine teachers to earn an endorsement in industrial arts education, specifically for hands-on, lab-based instruction. It directly affects current or prospective teachers seeking to teach in fields like automotive repair, welding, electrical work, carpentry, or computer-aided design. To qualify, teachers must complete an apprenticeship, earn a 2-year technical degree, and document minimum hours of paid work experience and hands-on trade training in their specific specialty. The endorsement allows certified teachers to instruct in these career-focused subjects within Maine public schools.
LD 1428 makes three key changes to improve child care access in Maine. It allows child care facilities and family child care providers to operate without requiring their own outdoor space if a public recreational area is within a quarter-mile. The bill also requires municipalities to permit child care operations in residentially zoned areas, treating them like other residential properties. Additionally, it directs the Maine State Housing Authority to update rules so community rooms in low-income housing projects can be used for child care services. These changes directly affect child care providers and families seeking accessible care across Maine.
This bill requires Maine's energy planning to use a consistent forecasting method across all state agencies, as defined by the Governor's Energy Office. It mandates that utilities and the Public Utilities Commission align energy procurement decisions with grid plans to optimize capacity, minimize transmission investments, and integrate distributed energy resources through standardized technical requirements. The law also directs the commission to prioritize grid-enhancing technologies and low-voltage sensors to improve monitoring and reliability. These changes primarily affect utilities, the Public Utilities Commission, and state energy agencies in how they plan and manage Maine's electricity grid.
This bill amends Maine's property tax exemption filing requirements and document acknowledgment rules. It changes the deadline for property owners claiming tax exemptions from April 1st to May 1st automatically (without needing a request), with additional extension options for the assessor. It also clarifies that deeds and property documents must be acknowledged before certain officials like attorneys or court clerks, expanding acceptable acknowledgment locations. These changes directly affect property owners seeking tax exemptions and individuals handling property records.
LD 1789 amends Maine's CPA licensure laws to create reciprocity for out-of-state licensed CPAs and firms. It establishes "firm practice privilege reciprocity" (allowing out-of-state CPA firms to practice in Maine without a new Maine license if they meet requirements) and "individual practice privilege reciprocity" (allowing individual CPAs from other states to practice in Maine under similar conditions). The bill also updates education requirements to mandate a minimum 150 semester hours, including a bachelor's degree with accounting/auditing coursework, and revises experience requirements for initial licensure (e.g., 2 years of experience with a bachelor's degree or 1 year with a master's degree). These changes directly affect CPAs and firms seeking to practice or expand services in Maine without obtaining a new state license.
This bill requires the Maine State Ferry Service to dock a vehicle-carrying ferry overnight in the towns of Swan's Island, Vinalhaven, North Haven, and Islesboro. The mandate ensures ferries are available for immediate emergency use, including medical response, fire services, law enforcement, and mass evacuation. The policy directly affects ferry operations on these islands by changing their overnight docking schedule to prioritize emergency access.
This bill adds employees of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission to the State's existing group health plan. It directly affects these commission employees by granting them eligibility for the same health coverage available to other state employees. The key mechanism is an amendment to state law (5 MRSA §285) that explicitly includes these workers in the group health plan. This change provides them with access to the state's standard health benefits without creating new programs or altering existing coverage structures.
This bill prohibits Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) from charging "spread pricing" fees in Maine - meaning PBMs cannot charge health plans extra fees beyond the actual drug cost plus the pharmacy's dispensing fee. It requires PBMs to charge only for actual services performed, banning fees tied to drug prices, rebates, or patient costs like deductibles. PBMs must annually certify compliance to the Insurance Superintendent, with violations subject to a $1,000 civil penalty per violation. The bill directly affects PBMs operating in Maine and health plans that contract with them, aiming to increase transparency in prescription drug pricing.
LD 1339 (An Act to Regulate Virtual Currency Kiosks) establishes regulations for unstaffed machines that exchange cash for digital currency (virtual currency kiosks). It requires operators to obtain a money transmitter license, disclose kiosk locations to the state, and maintain detailed transaction records (including customer data, video, and biometrics) for 3 years. The bill imposes a daily $1,000 transaction limit per customer, caps fees at $5 or 3% of the transaction value, mandates clear risk disclosures about fraud and exchange rates, and requires itemized receipts. Operators must also issue refunds within 90 days for transactions involving proven fraud or deceptive practices.
This bill amends Maine law to remove certification requirements for permanent staff in the Office of the State Auditor. Specifically, it eliminates the need for deputies, directors, and assistant directors to hold CPA, CISA, or CIA certifications (previously required under §242). The bill does not change the State Auditor's own qualification standards (which still require CPA or equivalent experience). It also clarifies that the deputy auditor handles duties during vacancies or absences, but this procedural change is secondary to the main policy update. The primary effect is reducing mandatory certifications for audit leadership staff.
