Maine Bills | MyRepTracker

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1177: Resolve, Establishing A 3-Year Moratorium On The Installation Or Reinstallation Of Synthetic Turf And Requiring A Study Of The Public Health And Environmental Risks Of Synthetic Turf

LD 1177 imposes a 3-year ban on installing or reinstalling synthetic turf in parks, outdoor athletic fields, indoor facilities, and similar venues across Maine. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to study synthetic turf's public health risks, environmental impact, and climate effects compared to natural grass, while also examining alternatives like maintained turf fields. The department must hold at least three public hearings, complete a report by November 4, 2026, and recommend whether the ban should continue, end, or extend. The report will inform future legislation and include outreach to schools, local governments, and the public about findings.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1506: An Act To Amend The Personal Property Tax Exemption For Individually Owned Personal Property

This bill increases Maine's personal property tax exemption threshold from $1,000 to $5,000 for individually owned items (like furniture, jewelry, or tools) that aren't used for business or vehicles already taxed via excise fees. It directly affects individual property owners who currently pay tax on items valued between $1,000 and $5,000. The key change is raising the exemption limit, meaning owners of qualifying personal property under $5,000 will no longer owe state personal property tax on those items. The change takes effect for property tax years beginning April 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1261: An Act To Support At-Risk Families By Establishing The Community Navigator Pilot Program

LD 1261 establishes a 2-year pilot program in Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to fund four "community navigators" through contracts with child abuse prevention councils. The program directly supports families who were reported for suspected child abuse or neglect but were "screened out" (not investigated) by the department, connecting them to community services like housing, health care, and job training. It also requires navigators to educate mandated reporters (such as teachers and social workers) on how to refer families to these services and shift their role from solely reporting to actively supporting families. The department will provide $90,000 annually per navigator position, with contracts awarded by December 1, 2025, and the program set to end January 30, 2028.

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 814: An Act To Provide Funding To Area Agencies On Aging For Community-Based Services And Programs To Support Older Adults

LD 814 provides $9.75 million annually in state funding to Maine's Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to expand community-based services for older adults. The bill specifically adds case management and navigation services - helping seniors access resources and avoid financial exploitation - to existing programs like in-home care, meals, wellness services, and caregiver respite. Funding must be distributed to local AAAs based on regional needs identified by community advisory councils. This directly supports older Mainers, particularly those facing financial challenges or needing assistance to remain independent in their communities.

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1932: An Act To Support Essential Support Workers And Enhance Workforce Development

LD 1932 requires MaineCare and state-funded programs to pay essential support workers (who provide home-based personal care and support services) at least 125% of the state minimum wage, with automatic adjustments when minimum wage increases. It also mandates an annual report to the Legislature by January 15, 2026, detailing current and projected costs for these services based on demographics. The bill expands an advisory committee to include essential support workers themselves and adds representatives from workforce development organizations. These changes directly affect workers, state-funded providers, and the MaineCare program, aiming to improve compensation and inform future funding decisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 948: An Act To Reduce Administrative Burdens And Expand Access In The Laws Governing Cannabis

LD 948 increases cultivation limits for medical cannabis caregivers in Maine, allowing up to 60 mature plants or 1,000 square feet of mature canopy (previously 30 plants or 500 square feet). It extends the validity of medical registry cards (for non-caregivers) and adult cannabis business licenses from one year to two years. For those without violations, the bill simplifies renewal by requiring only fee payment, with new licenses issued within 5-10 business days. These changes reduce administrative steps for medical patients, caregivers, and cannabis businesses.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1167: Resolve, To Create A Pilot Program To Assist Nonprofit Housing Developers In Rehabilitating Existing Aging Housing Stock For First-Time Home Buyers

LD 1167 creates a Maine State Housing Authority pilot program to provide grants of up to $80,000 per unit to nonprofit housing developers for rehabilitating 15 existing aging housing units. The program targets first-time home buyers with incomes not exceeding 120% of the area median income, requiring them to occupy the unit and agree to return a graduated percentage of sale profits (25%-75%) if sold within the first three years. Grants cover specific repairs like lead paint mitigation, energy efficiency upgrades, structural fixes, and accessibility improvements. The program is funded with a one-time $1.2 million appropriation from the General Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1812: An Act To Provide Low-Interest Loans For Accredited College Graduates Entering Trade Professions And An Employer Tax Credit For Trade Tool Reimbursements

This bill creates a low-interest loan program for graduates of accredited colleges entering trade professions, offering up to $20,000 at 2% annual interest with a maximum 10-year repayment term, plus potential loan forgiveness after five years of full-time employment in the trade. It also establishes a 25% tax credit for employers who reimburse trade tool costs for eligible employees within their first year of employment, subject to certification by Maine's Finance Authority. The program is funded through a dedicated nonlapsing "Loans for Trade Tools Fund" that receives state appropriations and loan repayments. The Finance Authority of Maine will administer both the loan program and employer certification process, with outreach efforts to inform students, families, and colleges about the initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1943: Resolve, To Establish A Commission To Study The Role Of Private Equity In Maine'S Economy And In Key Economic Sectors

LD 1943 establishes a commission to study private equity firms' role in Maine's economy, focusing on transparency, investment practices, and impacts on key sectors like health care, housing, energy, and nursing homes. The commission will collect data on private equity's market share and economic effects, consult experts, and issue a report with findings and potential recommendations to the Health Coverage Committee by December 3, 2025. This bill does not enact new laws but creates a study process to inform future policy decisions about private equity's influence on Maine's economy and public welfare.

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1696: Resolve, To Study Maine'S Absolute Dominion And Beneficial Use Laws Relating To Water Rights

This bill establishes a 17-member commission to study Maine's water rights laws, specifically focusing on "absolute dominion" and "beneficial use" doctrines governing groundwater. The commission will review existing laws, court cases (like *Maddocks v. Giles*), and how other states manage groundwater rights, then develop recommendations for potential policy changes. The study is limited to analysis and recommendations - no new laws will be enacted by this bill - and the commission must submit its report to the Environment Committee by December 3, 2025. This affects how Maine may later approach water rights management, but does not directly change current regulations.

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1626: An Act To Improve Professional Development For Educational Technicians And School Support Staff

LD 1626 requires Maine school districts to provide annual professional development for educational technicians and hourly-paid school support staff. Districts must offer at least 6 hours of paid, in-person training yearly, with 4 hours completed before the school year starts or within 30 days of hiring. New school support staff must receive initial training within 60 days on topics like emergency procedures and school policies, while educational technicians must also get training on student disabilities and behavioral needs, plus time to review student individualized education programs within 5 days of starting to work with a student.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1892: An Act To Establish Procedures For School Construction Projects

This bill creates a dedicated School Construction Debt Service Fund to finance public school construction and consolidation projects approved by Maine's Department of Education and State Board. Starting in fiscal year 2026-27, the fund will receive annual allocations totaling $175 million in 2026-27 and $200 million annually thereafter from specific existing revenue streams, including $60 million from the General Fund surplus, $5 million from slot machine income, $40 million from cigarette taxes, $65 million from lottery revenue, and other tobacco/cannabis tax sources. The fund is designed to provide stable, dedicated funding for school infrastructure projects without requiring new taxes. It directly affects Maine public school districts eligible for state-approved construction or consolidation projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education