Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 16, 2026

LD 468: An Act To Address Food Insecurity By Helping Maine Residents Access Locally Produced Food

LD 468 allocates $1.2 million annually from the General Fund to establish a matching fund for nutrition incentives, directly supporting Maine residents facing food insecurity. The bill creates the "Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives" to match private and public contributions, expanding access to locally produced food. Key provisions include mandatory annual funding of $1.2 million per fiscal year (2025-26 and 2026-27) and requiring the fund to leverage additional contributions. This mechanism aims to increase participation in programs that help low-income residents purchase fresh, locally grown food through existing incentive systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.2M annually from General Fund to fund nutrition incentives program, directly increasing state spending on food insecurity relief.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 666: An Act To Prevent Domestic Violence By Providing Adequate Funding Support For Court-Ordered Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Programs

LD 666 allocates $2.5 million annually from the General Fund to provide ongoing funding for certified domestic violence intervention programs mandated by courts. This funding supports programs that help individuals who have committed domestic violence address their behavior, directly affecting those court-ordered to participate. The bill specifies the funds will be administered through the Department of Corrections' Office of Victim Services for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. It creates a concrete financial mechanism to ensure these certified programs remain operational and accessible statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $2.5M annually from General Fund for domestic violence programs, increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $2.5M for court-ordered domestic violence intervention programs, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Mar 3, 2026

LD 2004: An Act To Enhance Support Of Local Nutrition Incentive Programs By Modifying The Eligibility Requirements Of The Fund To Address Food Insecurity And Provide Nutrition Incentives

LD 2004 modifies Maine's existing Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives to better support local programs. It allows the fund to match private/public contributions up to $50,000 annually, prioritizing Maine-based organizations with experience helping low-income residents use federal food assistance (like SNAP) to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. The bill requires organizations applying for funds to demonstrate how they will leverage the money or have a history of promoting local food access. It also mandates regular reporting and audits to ensure funds are used appropriately for nutrition incentive programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies state fund to allow matching private/public contributions up to $50,000 annually, increasing state funding for nutrition programs addressing food insecurity. This directly advances budget allocation for public services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands nutrition incentives for SNAP users to buy fresh produce, addressing food insecurity as a public health determinant through targeted funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 7, 2025

LD 1217: An Act Regarding The New Markets Tax Credit And The Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates structured tax credit program with time limits to direct investments, promoting fiscal management through targeted tax incentives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 1987: An Act To Fund Collective Bargaining Agreements With Executive Branch Employees And Continue The Voluntary Employee Incentive Program

This bill adjusts salaries for executive branch employees represented by specific unions - including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Maine State Troopers Association, and Maine Service Employees Association - for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. It requires the state to fund salary increases based on collective bargaining agreements ratified by October 31, 2023, or negotiated between May 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. The bill also allocates $9,132,794 from the General Fund to cover a $2,000 lump-sum payment made to these employees in October 2024. It directly affects state employees in the listed bargaining units by ensuring funding for their negotiated compensation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds collective bargaining salary increases through state budget allocation, directly advancing state finances by committing state resources to employee compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds salary increases via collective bargaining agreements for state unions, directly advancing worker negotiation rights and pay protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 117: An Act To Provide Funding For Sexual Assault Services

LD 117 provides $1.23 million in state funding for sexual assault services during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, increasing to $1.83 million for 2026-2027. The funds are allocated through the Department of Health and Human Services' Purchased Social Services program to directly support local sexual assault service providers. This funding covers essential services like crisis counseling, medical advocacy, and legal support for survivors. The bill does not create new programs but ensures sustained financial support for existing services across Maine.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.23M-$1.83M in state funds for essential sexual assault services, increasing budget for social services per Purchased Social Services program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds crisis counseling (mental health) and medical advocacy through healthcare-related services, directly increasing healthcare funding for survivors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 1951: An Act To Promote Food Processing And Manufacturing Facility Expansion And Create Jobs

LD 1951 modifies Maine's tax credit program for food processing and manufacturing facility expansions. It increases the annual tax credit rate from 1.8% to 2% of qualified investments for facilities meeting new criteria, effective 2027. The bill raises the total funding cap for approved projects from $100 million to $200 million and sets a new $100 million maximum per project. To qualify, applicants must employ at least 40 full-time Maine-based workers within 12 months of facility startup and meet specific wage requirements tied to county income levels. This primarily affects businesses seeking tax incentives for expanding or building new food processing facilities in Maine.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit rate (1.8%→2%) and funding cap ($100M→$200M) for food processing incentives, directly advancing tax incentive policy to stimulate economic growth.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 40 full-time Maine workers per project within 12 months, directly promoting job creation and employment standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 747: An Act To Provide Funds To Reduce Student Homelessness

LD 747 establishes a Maine State Housing Authority program providing direct rental subsidies to homeless students in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill allocates $2 million annually from the General Fund to fund this program, which will provide housing assistance directly to homeless students or their guardians. It removes a previous requirement to specifically address minors without adult guardians, while directing the Housing Authority to coordinate with the Department of Education and Health and Human Services. The program aims to reduce homelessness among school-aged children by connecting them with stable housing through direct financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M annually from General Fund to fund student housing program, directly increasing public service funding per Budget & Taxes topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M annually for housing subsidies to homeless K-12 students, directly addressing educational access barriers through funding and coordination with education authorities.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $2M for direct rental subsidies to homeless students, funding housing assistance program addressing homelessness.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 18, 2025

LD 1960: An Act To Exempt Electronic Smoking Devices Or Other Tobacco Products Containing Ingestible Hemp From The Tax Imposed On Tobacco Products

LD 1960 exempts electronic smoking devices and tobacco products containing hemp or cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp from Maine's tobacco tax. This change affects manufacturers, retailers, and consumers of these specific products by removing the tobacco tax that would otherwise apply. The exemption specifically covers hemp-derived CBD products, not cannabis-containing items, which remain subject to separate tax rules. The bill amends Maine's tobacco tax law to clarify this exclusion.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts hemp-derived CBD products from tobacco tax, reducing state tax revenue. Directly weakens tax collection mechanism for the specified products.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 16, 2025

LD 372: An Act To Protect Maine People From Inflation By Exempting Gold And Silver Coins And Bullion From The State Sales And Use Tax

LD 372 exempts sales of qualifying gold and silver coins and bullion from Maine's state sales and use tax, effective January 1, 2026. The bill specifically covers coins, bars, or rounds marked by weight, purity, and content (like investment-grade bullion), but excludes fabricated gold or silver used for industrial, professional, or artistic purposes. This policy change directly affects consumers and businesses purchasing these specific precious metal products, reducing their tax burden. The exemption is a straightforward tax policy adjustment with no additional mechanisms or requirements described in the bill text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts investment-grade gold/silver sales from state sales tax, providing direct tax relief to consumers/businesses purchasing qualifying bullion, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track