LD 2115 creates a Well Contamination Response Fund to address PFAS contamination in private drinking water wells in Maine. The fund, financed by a $1 million appropriation for 2026-2027, covers testing, investigation, and cleanup (like installing water filters or providing bottled water) for wells with PFAS levels exceeding 20 parts per trillion for six specific chemicals. It also pays for administrative costs and may support wells with lower contamination if funds remain available. The state environmental department must report on fund usage every two years starting in 2027.
This bill defines "low-income household" for electricity assistance as having income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. It allocates $7.5 million for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to provide direct aid to qualifying low-income households struggling with electric bills. The funding is specifically for "low-income electric ratepayer assistance" programs, targeting households meeting the income threshold. This is a one-time funding allocation, not a permanent program change.
This bill modifies Maine's tax rates for adult use cannabis, cannabis products, and hemp. It maintains a 10% sales tax on adult cannabis sales until December 31, 2025, after which the rate drops to 6% for revenue shared with a public health fund. Starting January 1, 2026, a new 20% tax applies to hemp products containing THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana). The bill directly affects cannabis retailers, cultivators, and hemp product sellers, with tax revenue funding public health and safety initiatives through the Adult Use Cannabis Public Health and Safety Fund.
LD 1948 provides a one-time $117,618,761 allocation from the General Fund to MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) for fiscal year 2024-25. It directly affects MaineCare recipients and healthcare providers who receive payments through the program. The bill's key mechanism is moving this funding from the General Fund for immediate use in the current fiscal year. Part B of the bill cancels a previously allocated amount from Public Law 2025, chapter 2, Part D, with that cancellation effective June 20, 2025. This is a procedural funding adjustment, not a new policy.
This bill allocates $225,000 annually from the General Fund to support the Maine Discovery Museum's STEM education programs statewide. It directly funds three specific initiatives: the Maine Science Festival, the Maine Invention Convention, and the Science Around ME program. The funding is intended to sustain these educational efforts for students across Maine, focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The bill provides ongoing financial support without altering existing laws or creating new regulations.
This bill exempts certain over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from Maine's sales tax starting January 1, 2026. It applies to FDA-approved OTC medicines meeting specific labeling requirements, including antacids, contraceptive products, allergy medications, eye/ear/nose treatments, and opioid antagonists. The exemption covers medicines sold directly to consumers without a prescription, but excludes cannabis products. This change affects Maine residents purchasing these specific OTC health products, reducing their out-of-pocket costs for essential medications.
LD 696 provides a one-time $1,000,000 appropriation from the General Fund to support the Maine Teacher Residency Program at the University of Southern Maine. This funding directly supports the program's operations, which prepares new teachers through structured residency placements. The bill allocates the full amount for the 2025-26 fiscal year with no funding requested for 2026-27. It is a procedural funding measure with no new policy requirements or eligibility changes. The bill focuses solely on providing targeted financial support to expand teacher training capacity.
This bill (LD 1294) expands Maine's dependent exemption tax credit for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, or later. It doubles the credit to $600 for each dependent under age 6 (up from $300) while maintaining a $300 credit for dependents age 6 and older. The bill also updates income-based phase-out rules, reducing the credit for higher earners based on filing status (e.g., $100,000 threshold for single filers). It directly affects Maine resident taxpayers claiming dependents who qualify for the federal child tax credit or personal exemption. The changes apply to tax returns filed for 2025 and subsequent years.
LD 1219 requires the University of Maine System (UMS) campuses to receive state funding at 95% of their peer institution's per-student state funding starting July 1, 2026, and 100% starting July 1, 2027. Peer institutions are defined by UMS trustees and determined using the most recent available data. The bill also raises UMS hourly employee wages to 125% of Maine's state minimum wage, effective July 1, 2025. Funding allocations include $14.37 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and $24.53 million for 2026-27 to support these changes.
LD 1955 establishes two new programs to support child care providers and early childhood educators in Maine. The Maine Child Care Affordability Program provides funding to help these workers pay for licensed child care for their own children, requiring both the worker and their child to use facilities meeting quality standards. A separate Salary Sustainability Program for Child Care Professionals aims to improve retention by supporting educators' salaries through the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill directs the department to create implementing rules, including funding limits and quality standards, while repealing an outdated section of law. This directly affects licensed child care workers and their families seeking affordable, quality care.
