Housing

signed · Maine · House Mar 23, 2026

LD 2079: An Act To Amend The Laws Governing Municipal Reporting On Residential Buildings

This bill requires municipalities with 4,000 or more residents in Maine to submit annual reports by March 31 detailing residential building activity from the previous year. The reports must include data on building permits, demolitions, and certificates of occupancy, broken down by housing types such as single-family homes, multi-unit buildings, and accessory dwelling units. The legislation also mandates reporting on the number of affordable units available to households earning 80% or less of the area median income, as well as those earning between 81% and 120% of that threshold. While the requirement applies only to larger municipalities, the state office will encourage smaller towns to provide similar information voluntarily.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires municipalities to report affordable housing data, increasing transparency and enabling better policy decisions for housing development and affordability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Mar 23, 2026

LD 1949: An Act Regarding Energy Fairness

LD 1949, "An Act Regarding Energy Fairness," protects vulnerable Maine residents from utility disconnections by prohibiting disconnections for nonpayment if a customer is elderly, disabled, has a newborn in the household, or is enrolled in or applying for utility assistance programs. It requires utilities to provide clear written notice of unpaid bills, allow customers to set up payment plans, have informal hearings, and appeal disconnection decisions to the commission. The bill also mandates monthly notices for customers with outstanding bills during protected periods, including how to apply for financial assistance, and prevents low-income customers from being charged higher electricity rates without a commission waiver. These changes directly affect residential utility customers in Maine, particularly those facing financial hardship or health challenges.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects vulnerable residents from utility disconnections, preventing housing instability and homelessness, aligning with tenant protection goals.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 698: An Act To Sustain Emergency Homeless Shelters In Maine

LD 698 provides annual funding of $5 million from the General Fund to support emergency homeless shelters across Maine for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. This bill directly affects emergency homeless shelters by guaranteeing stable, ongoing financial support to maintain operations. The key mechanism is a dedicated state appropriation that ensures shelters receive consistent funding without requiring annual legislative approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M annual state funding for emergency homeless shelters, directly increasing public service appropriations under budget/funding category.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $5M annual funding for emergency homeless shelters, directly addressing homelessness and sustaining housing stability through dedicated state appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 1768: An Act To Protect Residents Of Mobile Home Parks By Amending The Real Estate Transfer Tax

LD 1768 amends Maine's real estate transfer tax law to better support mobile home park residents. It exempts transfers of mobile home parks to residents or resident-owned associations from the standard transfer tax, making it easier for residents to collectively purchase their parks. Additionally, all tax revenue generated from mobile home park sales (to non-residents) must be directed to the Maine State Housing Authority and deposited into the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund, which supports statewide housing initiatives. These changes take effect starting in fiscal year 2026-27.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts resident park transfers from tax (relief) and directs non-resident sale revenue to housing fund (funds public service).95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts resident purchases of mobile home parks from transfer tax, funds Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund via non-resident sales tax revenue, strengthening tenant ownership and housing programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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 Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 384: An Act To Prevent Student Homelessness

This bill establishes Maine's Student Homelessness Prevention Program within the Department of Education to help elementary and secondary students avoid homelessness. It provides up to $750 per academic year in direct financial assistance to families of students at risk of homelessness for housing needs like rent, utilities, or critical repairs. The program is funded through an annual $1.5 million appropriation from the General Fund, with assistance not counted as income for tax or public assistance eligibility. The program builds on federal McKinney-Vento requirements by proactively identifying at-risk students and offering immediate financial support to maintain stable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds $1.5M student homelessness program via General Fund appropriation, supporting public service spending and aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct financial aid ($750/student) to prevent student homelessness, ensuring educational stability through Department of Education program, directly advancing access and support for K-12 students.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides direct financial assistance for housing needs (rent, utilities) to prevent student homelessness, funding a dedicated housing program within state education department.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · House Jun 25, 2025

LD 1750: An Act To Require The Attorney General To Create And Update Biennially A Model Residential Lease

This bill requires Maine's Attorney General to create and maintain a publicly available model residential lease on the state website by December 1, 2025, updating it biennially (every two years) on odd-numbered years. The model must comply with current law, include required disclosures, and be developed with input from both tenant and landlord advocacy groups. It mandates neutrality (not favoring either side) and requires a 30-day public comment period on draft versions before final posting. The model lease directly assists landlords and tenants by providing a reference tool for standardizing agreements, though it does not replace existing legal requirements for leases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires standardized lease disclosures with tenant input, enhancing transparency and tenant protections under landlord-tenant law.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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 Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 20, 2025

LD 1145: An Act To Protect Residents Living In Mobile Home Parks

LD 1145 requires mobile home park owners to provide 90 days' written notice to residents and the Maine State Housing Authority before selling the park or changing its use. It gives residents (via a group with 51% support) the right to make a purchase offer within 90 days of the notice, requiring the owner to negotiate in good faith. For changes in use that would end tenancies, the owner must cover relocation costs for mobile homes within a 25-mile radius. The law aims to prevent sudden displacement by giving residents a concrete opportunity to buy the park or secure relocation assistance.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects mobile home residents from sudden displacement via 90-day notice, purchase rights, and relocation cost coverage, strengthening tenant protections in housing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

failed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1940: An Act To Revise The Growth Management Program Laws

This bill (LD 1940) revises definitions in Maine's Growth Management Program laws to clarify housing affordability standards. It defines "affordable housing" as housing costing no more than 30% of a household's income when income is at or below 80% of the area median, and "attainable housing" for households earning between 80% and 120% of the median. The bill also establishes definitions for terms like "cluster development" (reducing lot sizes to preserve open space), "accessory dwelling units" (secondary housing on single-family lots), and "age-friendly communities." These updated definitions directly affect local governments, developers, and housing programs implementing Maine's growth management policies. The changes aim to provide clearer standards for housing affordability without creating new programs or mandates.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDefines affordable housing standards (≤30% income) and promotes development methods like accessory dwelling units to increase housing supply and affordability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track