Environment

signed · Maine · House Apr 23, 2026

LD 1519: An Act To Create A Stewardship Program For Electronic Smoking Devices And Related Products

LD 1519 creates a program requiring producers of electronic smoking devices (like vapes and e-cigarettes) to establish and fund collection, reuse, recycling, or disposal systems for unwanted devices. It directly affects manufacturers and brands selling these products in Maine, shifting responsibility for end-of-life management from consumers or municipalities to the producers. Key provisions define "producer," "unwanted device," and mandate that producers submit stewardship plans to the state department for review. The program covers devices and their components, excluding FDA-approved nicotine products. This law aims to manage electronic smoking device waste through producer-led initiatives.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates producer-funded recycling of e-cigarette waste, reducing landfill pollution and promoting waste management per bill's recycling/waste focus.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 16, 2026

LD 1870: An Act To Establish A Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program To Impose Penalties On Climate Polluters

LD 1870 establishes Maine's Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program, targeting entities that operated fossil fuel businesses (like coal, oil, and gas extraction/processing) between 1995 and 2024. It requires these responsible parties to pay for climate adaptation projects - such as flood protections, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs addressing heat waves or wildfire smoke - through a "cost recovery demand" mechanism. Funds collected will finance public projects directly addressing climate impacts, including nature-based solutions like restored wetlands and energy-efficient building retrofits. The program applies to corporations, partnerships, and individuals involved in fossil fuel operations during the covered period, with entities in a "controlled group" treated as a single liable party. This creates a state-level mechanism to recover costs for climate-related damages historically linked to fossil fuel use.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTargets fossil fuel businesses (coal/oil/gas) with cost recovery demands to fund climate adaptation, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing climate goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates fossil fuel polluters to fund climate adaptation projects (flood protection, infrastructure, health programs) via cost recovery, directly strengthening environmental accountability and addressing climate impacts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Maine · House Apr 13, 2026

LD 2240: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review Of Chapter 10: Significant Wildlife Habitat, A Late-Filed Major Substantive Rule Of The Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife

This resolve authorizes the final adoption of a major substantive rule titled "Significant Wildlife Habitat" by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The rule was submitted to the legislature after the standard deadline, requiring this specific legislative action to validate its status under state law. By approving the measure, the legislature grants the agency permission to finalize regulations that likely govern the protection and management of critical wildlife areas in Maine.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe bill authorizes regulations for 'Significant Wildlife Habitat,' which directly advances the conservation and protection of natural resources and wildlife areas.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 13, 2026

LD 2140: An Act To Reduce Household Energy Costs In Response To Federal Cuts

This bill creates a refundable state tax credit for Maine residents who make energy-efficient improvements to their permanent homes. The credit covers costs for home energy audits, exterior doors, windows, skylights, insulation, and air sealing materials, with specific dollar limits for each improvement type. The amount of the credit is reduced if a taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds based on their filing status. This legislation aims to help households offset energy expenses by incentivizing upgrades that improve home energy efficiency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides refundable tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements, offering tax relief to households and promoting fiscal responsibility through energy conservation incentives.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates refundable tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements, directly supporting energy conservation and efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes energy efficiency through tax credits for home improvements, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 222: An Act To Establish A Take-Back And Disposal Program For Firefighting And Fire-Suppressing Foam To Which Perfluoroalkyl And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Have Been Added

This bill requires Maine's Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the State Fire Marshal, to create a voluntary take-back and disposal program for firefighting and fire-suppressing foam containing PFAS chemicals (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The program must collect such foam from Maine residents or businesses that request it and ensure its safe disposal by July 1, 2027. It allows the department to hire outside contractors and create necessary rules for implementation. The bill directly affects anyone in Maine possessing PFAS-containing foam used for firefighting or fire suppression.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates safe disposal of PFAS-containing firefighting foam (a known environmental pollutant) to prevent water/soil contamination, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 1934: An Act To Promote Responsible Outdoor Lighting

LD 1934 requires public entities in Maine (like towns, schools, and state agencies) to install or replace outdoor lighting that meets specific standards starting October 1, 2026. It limits brightness to 125% of recommended levels, mandates fully shielded fixtures for bright lights, bans nonessential lighting (like decorative signs or holiday lights) after 10 PM, caps color temperature at 3,000 kelvins, and restricts light trespass near protected areas to 0.1 lux. The bill directly affects how public facilities illuminate streets, parks, and buildings, aiming to reduce light pollution and energy waste. Key provisions include requiring shielded fixtures for lights over 1,000 lumens and ensuring sports lighting confines most light to the field area.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates energy-efficient lighting standards (brightness limits, shielded fixtures) to reduce unnecessary energy consumption and light pollution.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces light pollution and energy waste via strict lighting standards, protecting habitats and conserving resources per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 1023: Resolve, To Reestablish And Continue The Work Of The Blue Economy Task Force

LD 1023 reestablishes Maine's Blue Economy Task Force to advance the state's ocean-based economic sectors, which include sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine technology, and coastal development. The task force, requiring at least 13 members representing businesses, research institutions, and waterfront stakeholders, must consult with state agencies, universities, tribes, and industry groups to develop a report by February 2026. The report will identify growth opportunities for blue economy businesses, assess existing economic strategies, recommend workforce training programs, and propose a design for a new Center for a Blue Economy. This initiative directly affects Maine's ocean-related industries, researchers, and state agencies working on coastal economic development.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes sustainable fisheries and aquaculture within blue economy, aligning with environmental conservation goals through resource-focused economic development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 20, 2025

LD 1423: An Act To Improve Recycling By Updating The Stewardship Program For Packaging

LD 1423 updates Maine's packaging recycling program by clarifying key definitions to improve recycling efficiency. It defines "packaging material" more precisely, excluding items like beverage containers, medical packaging, and architectural paint containers (which must meet specific recycling rates), while clarifying who qualifies as a "producer" (manufacturers, brand owners, or retailers selling packaged goods in Maine). The bill establishes clear rules for "post-consumer recycled material" and defines "manage" to include collection, transport, and processing. These changes directly affect manufacturers and retailers selling packaged products in Maine, aiming to streamline recycling efforts and reduce waste.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies packaging definitions to enhance recycling efficiency, directly advancing waste reduction and resource conservation goals within environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Maine · House Jun 20, 2025

LD 1751: An Act To Improve The Growth Management Program Laws

This bill updates Maine's growth management laws to enhance housing affordability, infrastructure development, and environmental protection. It amends key definitions - such as setting "affordable housing" at 80% of area median income - and adds new funding categories for mixed-use housing projects, bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, and public utility systems. The bill also revises program goals to prioritize affordable housing for low/moderate-income households, protect water resources, and support marine industries. These changes directly affect Maine municipalities implementing growth management plans and state agencies overseeing land use and housing policies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly states environmental protection as a goal, revises program to 'protect water resources,' and adds funding for sustainable infrastructure like bike/pedestrian projects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill defines affordable housing at 80% AMI, adds funding for mixed-use housing, and prioritizes low/moderate-income housing in program goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds funding for bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, a transportation infrastructure component, within housing and growth management framework85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Maine · House Jun 12, 2025

LD 1494: Resolve, Directing The Office Of Procurement Services To Study Adapting The Procurement Process To The State Climate Action Plan

LD 1494 directs Maine's Office of Procurement Services to study how the state's purchasing process can better align with the State Climate Action Plan. The office must survey the past three years of procurement requests to assess how often climate impacts were considered, how much agencies already incorporated climate goals, and missed opportunities for emissions reductions. It will also identify potential challenges in adapting procurement practices. The office must submit findings and recommendations - including possible law changes - to the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government by December 3, 2025. This is a procedural study, not an immediate policy change.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs study to align procurement with Climate Action Plan, identifying emissions reduction opportunities and strengthening climate integration in state purchasing, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment