Budget & Taxes

failed · Maine · House Jun 16, 2025

LD 291: An Act To Eliminate The Lodging Tax On Campground Sites And Revert To Using The Current Sales Tax

LD 291 eliminates the 9% lodging tax on campground rentals (for tourist and trailer camps) and instead applies Maine's standard 5.5% general sales tax to these stays. This change directly affects campground operators and guests staying in these facilities, reducing their tax burden starting January 1, 2026. The bill modifies Maine Revised Statutes §1811 to remove campground living quarters from the higher tax rate category. It does not alter the tax treatment of hotels or rooming houses, which remain subject to the 9% rate. The policy change simplifies tax application for campground rentals without creating new exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces tax burden from 9% to 5.5% on campgrounds, providing tax relief per support indicators95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 12, 2025

LD 1657: An Act To Expand The Use Of Tax Increment Revenue For Affordable Housing By Adding Authorized Project Costs

LD 1657 expands Maine municipalities' ability to use tax increment revenue for affordable housing by adding specific allowable costs. The bill allows funds to cover development, purchase, operation, and financial support of affordable housing projects, including costs for creating municipal loan or grant programs that assist qualifying homebuyers. Crucially, it removes the requirement that these housing projects must be located within designated affordable housing development districts. This change gives municipalities greater flexibility to support affordable housing initiatives and workforce recruitment efforts outside existing tax increment zones.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands municipal use of existing tax increment revenue for affordable housing, funding essential housing programs through fiscal mechanisms without new taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax increment funding for affordable housing by adding allowable costs and removing location restrictions, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 12, 2025

LD 1330: An Act To Clarify That A Business'S License Or Subscription To Use Software Is Not Considered A Lease For The Purposes Of Sales And Use Tax

LD 1330 clarifies that business software licenses and subscriptions are not considered "leases" for Maine's sales and use tax purposes. The bill amends Maine's tax code (36 MRSA §1752) to explicitly exclude business software access fees from the definition of "lease or rental." This change applies only to transactions entered into or renewed after the law takes effect, directly affecting businesses that pay for software access rather than purchasing it outright. The policy change simplifies tax treatment for these business software agreements, ensuring they are not subject to lease-based taxation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies software subscriptions are not taxable leases, reducing business tax burden and promoting fiscal clarity in tax code (36 MRSA §1752).95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 11, 2025

LD 856: An Act To Phase Out The Income Tax

LD 856 would eliminate Maine's individual and corporate income tax through a phased reduction schedule. Starting in 2026, the tax owed would be reduced by 20% each year (80% in 2026, 60% in 2027, 40% in 2028, 20% in 2029), with no income tax imposed beginning January 1, 2030. This applies to all Maine residents and businesses paying income tax under current law. The bill modifies tax brackets and rates for 2017-2029 before fully eliminating the tax.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly phases out Maine's income tax (2026-2030), weakening the state's tax base and fiscal structure per its title and summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 1707: An Act To Require A Person To Be A United States Citizen To Receive State Or Local Financial Assistance And To Ensure Municipal Compliance With Federal Immigration Laws

LD 1707 requires all individuals to be U.S. citizens to receive most state or local financial assistance in Maine, including municipal aid programs. The bill exempts general purpose school funding distributed under Title 20-A, Chapter 606-B. It also makes municipalities ineligible for state funding (like revenue sharing or general assistance) if they prohibit local officials from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities, aligning with federal immigration law (specifically the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform Act). This policy directly affects non-citizen residents seeking financial aid and requires municipal compliance with federal immigration information-sharing requirements.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts state funding eligibility to U.S. citizens, limiting government spending on non-citizens and reducing municipal access to state financial assistance programs.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts non-citizen access to state/local financial aid and mandates sharing immigration status with federal authorities per federal law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 4, 2025

LD 339: Resolve, To Provide Funds To The Maine Indian Education School District To Develop A Wabanaki-Centered Curriculum

LD 339 allocates $100,000 annually from the General Fund to the Maine Indian Education School District to develop and implement a Wabanaki-centered curriculum specifically for Native American high school students. The bill requires the school district to administer a pilot program in partnership with state-approved high schools across Maine, using funds for curriculum development, staff, transportation, and support services. It mandates the Department of Education to coordinate with the school district to share the curriculum with appropriate high schools statewide and requires a report to the Education Committee by December 3, 2025, detailing dissemination and fund usage. This resolution directly affects the Maine Indian Education School District, its partner schools, and Native American students in Maine’s public education system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 annually from General Fund for curriculum development, directly funding an educational program per budgetary appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $100,000 annually for Wabanaki-centered curriculum development, directly funding a new educational program to enhance curriculum access for Native American students, advancing educational equity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 3, 2025

LD 1273: An Act To Make Paid Family And Medical Leave Voluntary

This bill repeals Maine's mandatory paid family and medical leave program, making participation voluntary instead. It limits the program to employers with 50 or more employees and requires the Department of Labor to refund all contributions made under the previous mandatory system to both employers and employees by June 2026. Unappropriated funds from the leave program must be transferred to the state's general fund by June 30, 2026. The changes take effect retroactively to October 25, 2023.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill defunds mandatory leave program by refunding contributions and transferring unappropriated funds to general fund, eliminating dedicated revenue stream for the program.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals mandatory paid family/medical leave, limits coverage to large employers, and refunds contributions - reducing access to healthcare-related leave benefits and defunding the program.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRepeals mandatory paid leave program, making it voluntary and limiting coverage to employers with 50+ employees, weakening worker protections and reducing benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 3, 2025

LD 1553: Resolution, Proposing An Amendment To The Constitution Of Maine To Require A Supermajority Of The Legislature To Approve Raising Taxes

LD 1553 proposes amending Maine's Constitution to require a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers to raise existing tax rates or impose new taxes. Currently, legislative consent is required for taxes, but this bill would strengthen that requirement by mandating a supermajority vote instead of a simple majority. The amendment would also allow tax changes to be approved through direct citizen initiative (a public vote) as an alternative to the legislative supermajority. This resolution must be approved by the legislature and then ratified by Maine voters in a statewide election to become part of the state constitution. If adopted, it would directly affect how the legislature passes tax-related legislation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRequires supermajority (2/3) for tax increases, restricting legislative ability to raise taxes compared to current simple majority requirement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · Senate May 29, 2025

LD 1292: An Act To Codify The Maine Turnpike Authority'S Contributions To The Highway Fund With Regard To The Sensible Transportation Policy Act

LD 1292 codifies a requirement for the Maine Turnpike Authority to transfer excess funds to the Highway Fund on a quarterly basis. It specifies that any revenues or reserves held by the Authority exceeding its approved operating budget, maintenance reserves, debt service obligations, and legislatively approved capital projects must be sent to the Highway Fund. This directly affects the Authority’s financial management and the Highway Fund, which funds state transportation projects. The bill aligns with the Sensible Transportation Policy Act by directing excess turnpike revenues toward broader highway needs rather than remaining within the Authority’s reserves.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCodifies transfer of Turnpike Authority excess funds to Highway Fund, ensuring fiscal responsibility in transportation funding allocation per Highway Fund requirements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCodifies transfers of excess Turnpike Authority funds to Highway Fund, directly increasing funding for state transportation projects per Sensible Transportation Policy Act.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · Senate May 29, 2025

LD 278: An Act To Eliminate The Tobacco Products Tax On Certain Products That Contain Nicotine

LD 278 eliminates the tobacco products tax on items containing nicotine but not tobacco, such as certain nicotine-only e-liquids or nicotine salts. The bill amends Maine's tax code by revising the definition of "tobacco products" to exclude products that contain nicotine without tobacco, while maintaining taxes on traditional tobacco products and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. This change directly affects manufacturers and retailers selling nicotine products without tobacco, removing their tax obligation under current law. The bill does not alter existing taxes on products like cigars, snus, or e-cigarettes that contain nicotine. (Bill: LD 278, Maine Legislature 2025)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEliminates tobacco tax on nicotine products, reducing state tax revenue and weakening tax collection for this category.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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