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 427: An Act To Prohibit Mandatory Parking Space Minimums In State And Municipal Building Codes

This bill prohibits Maine state and local governments from requiring a specific minimum number of parking spaces for new buildings or developments in building codes. It directly affects developers, property owners, and municipalities planning new construction projects. The law bans mandatory parking minimums but allows governments to recommend parking levels instead. This change applies only to new developments, land use, or building occupancy, not to existing structures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves mandatory parking minimums, lowering development costs and increasing potential for affordable housing units by reducing construction expenses for new projects.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 20, 2025

LD 1016: An Act To Establish The Manufactured Housing Community And Mobile Home Park Preservation And Assistance Fund

LD 1016 establishes the Manufactured Housing Community and Mobile Home Park Preservation and Assistance Fund under the Maine State Housing Authority. The bill requires new purchasers of manufactured housing communities or mobile home parks to pay a $50,000 fee per lot to the fund, effective January 1, 2026, with exemptions for state/municipal housing authorities, resident-owned cooperatives, and entities with less than $10 million net worth. The fund will maintain housing affordability and support transitions to resident-owned cooperatives or nonprofit management in these communities. This policy directly affects buyers of manufactured housing properties in Maine, beginning in 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates fund to preserve manufactured housing affordability via mandatory fees on new buyers, exempting vulnerable entities to maintain access and prevent displacement.95% 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

signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1044: An Act To Clarify The Qualifying Use Of Tax Increment Financing For Extension Of A Development District

This bill allows Maine development districts (tax increment financing districts) to extend their tax increment financing periods by up to 20 additional years beyond the standard 30-year limit, provided they use at least 75% of the tax increment revenue for affordable housing or transit-oriented development projects. It defines "affordable housing" as housing for households earning no more than 120% of the area median income (per HUD standards) and clarifies that "transit-oriented development" includes projects linking housing and other uses with transit facilities, without requiring them to be located in designated transit districts. Municipalities meeting these conditions can extend their districts' tax increment financing periods, supporting longer-term development focused on housing access and transit connectivity.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends TIF periods with 75% revenue mandate for affordable housing/transit, directing tax increments to public development goals per fiscal management standards.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates 75% of TIF revenue for affordable housing (≤120% AMI), directly advancing housing access through funding requirements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires 75% tax increment revenue for transit-oriented development, directly advancing public transit infrastructure and aligning with sustainable transportation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 17, 2025

LD 901: Resolve, Directing The Maine State Housing Authority To Negotiate For The Purchase Of Or Acquire By Eminent Domain The Land And Buildings Commonly Known As The Bangor Mall

LD 901 requires the Maine State Housing Authority to negotiate purchasing the Bangor Mall property in Bangor within 12 months. If purchase negotiations fail, the Authority may use eminent domain to acquire the property. Within six months of acquisition, the Authority must report on conversion costs and propose legislation creating the Bangor Mall Housing Authority, which would develop affordable housing units (1-3 bedrooms) for residents earning 2-4 times the federal poverty level. The bill appropriates $25 million for the purchase and infrastructure improvements. This directly affects the mall's current owners and aims to transform the property into affordable housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates conversion of Bangor Mall into affordable housing for 2-4x FPL residents, directly advancing housing development goals per bill's core purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

failed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 1036: An Act To Protect Recipients Of Public Assistance From Housing Discrimination

LD 1036 amends Maine's housing discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "status as a recipient of federal, state or local public assistance," including housing subsidies and medical assistance. The bill directly affects housing providers (landlords, managers, agents) and public assistance recipients by making it unlawful to refuse housing, make discriminatory inquiries, or advertise based on this status. Key provisions ban actions like denying rentals, setting different terms, or evicting tenants solely because of public assistance status, adding it to existing protected categories like race and disability. This creates concrete legal protections for individuals relying on public assistance to secure housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination against public assistance recipients, strengthening tenant protections and expanding access to affordable housing by banning refusal of rentals based on aid status.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 1662: An Act To Amend The Laws Regarding Zoning And Land Use Restrictions To Limit Certain Requirements To Municipalities With Populations Of More Than 10,000

This bill modifies Maine's zoning laws to increase housing options in larger municipalities. It requires towns with populations over 10,000 to allow up to four residential units on a single lot (instead of two) if the lot has no existing home and is in a designated growth area or has certain utility infrastructure. It also mandates that these municipalities permit accessory dwelling units (like guest houses) on single-family lots in all residential zones. The law applies only to municipalities exceeding 10,000 residents and does not restrict existing zoning rules for smaller towns.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates increased housing density (4 units/lot, accessory dwellings) in growth areas to expand supply, directly advancing affordable housing development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

signed · Maine · House May 23, 2025

LD 1080: An Act Prohibiting Public Utilities From Requiring Deposits Based Solely On A Residential Customer'S Income

This bill prohibits Maine public utilities from requiring new residential customers to pay an upfront deposit solely based on their income level. It specifically bans deposits for applicants who haven't used the utility's service within the past 30 days, defining such applicants as "new" customers. Utilities may still require deposits if they can prove a customer is a credit risk or likely to damage property, but must provide that proof upon request. The Public Utilities Commission must create implementing rules by October 1, 2025. The law directly affects low- and middle-income households applying for new utility service.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits income-based utility deposits for new residential customers, removing financial barriers for low-income tenants and strengthening tenant protections in housing access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing