Housing

failed · Maine · House Jun 25, 2025

LD 1328: An Act To Create Housing And Recovery Services For Lgbtqia+ Individuals

This bill requires Maine's State Housing Authority to contract for at least three certified recovery residences led by LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. These residences must serve LGBTQIA+ individuals and others in recovery, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, with locations distributed across three population sizes (60,000+ residents, 20,000-59,999, and under 20,000). Each residence must provide shared living spaces, tailored recovery support, and services addressing LGBTQIA+ needs, staffed by at least two certified peer support workers paid livable wages. The bill also creates the LGBTQIA+ Recovery Residence Fund within the Housing Authority to distribute competitive grants for these services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates state housing authority to fund LGBTQIA+ recovery residences, advancing targeted housing access for vulnerable populations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

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failed · Maine · Senate Jun 25, 2025

SP 799: Joint Order, To Require The Joint Standing Committee On Appropriations And Financial Affairs To Report Out 2 Bills To The Senate

This procedural bill (SP 799) directs the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs to immediately recall and report two specific bills to the Senate. The recalled bills are L.D. 1140/S.P. 471 (a bond measure for Maine's agricultural economy) and L.D. 1912/S.P. 753 (a bond measure for housing shortages). The order overrides standard committee procedures to expedite consideration of these funding proposals. This action affects the committee's workflow and the Senate's schedule for these bills.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirects committee to expedite housing bond bill (L.D. 1912/S.P. 753) addressing housing shortages, enabling funding consideration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

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signed · Maine · House Jun 22, 2025

LD 1471: An Act To Require Energy Efficiency Disclosure Statements And Energy Efficiency Standards For Certain Rental Housing In The State

This bill requires landlords in Maine to provide tenants with energy efficiency disclosure statements starting January 1, 2030, detailing a rental unit’s energy performance. Beginning January 1, 2035, landlords must meet minimum insulation standards for rental units, with tenants able to terminate leases or receive 50% of monthly heating costs (if they pay for heat) until standards are met. Exemptions apply to owner-occupied buildings with three or fewer units, short-term rentals under 30 days, and units rented less than two years in a five-year period. The law also prohibits landlords from retaining security deposits for lease terminations due to non-compliance and protects tenants from retaliation if they assert these rights.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy efficiency standards and insulation for rental housing, directly promoting reduced energy waste and improved building performance per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates energy efficiency standards and tenant protections (50% heating cost refund/lease termination) for rental housing, reducing long-term costs and strengthening tenant rights in housing policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maine · House Jun 20, 2025

LD 1723: An Act To Amend The Laws Governing Manufactured Housing Communities To Prevent Excessive Rent And Fees Increases

This bill limits annual rent and fee increases in manufactured housing communities to no more than 10% of the base amount over a 4-year period. It directly affects residents who pay lot rent and community owners/operators who set those rates. The key provision (Section 9084-A) prohibits increases exceeding this 10% cap, aiming to preserve affordable housing. The bill also establishes a new Manufactured Housing Board with tenant and resident representation to oversee implementation. These changes apply to all licensed manufactured housing communities in Maine.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps annual rent/fee increases at 10% over 4 years to preserve affordability, establishes tenant-represented board for oversight. Directly protects manufactured housing tenants from excessive cost burdens.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Housing

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failed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 746: An Act To Authorize A Local Option Sales Tax On Short-Term Lodging To Fund Municipalities And Affordable Housing

LD 746 allows Maine municipalities to impose a 2% local sales tax on short-term lodging (like hotels and vacation rentals) if approved by voters through a referendum. The tax must be applied only to lodging already subject to state sales tax, and requires voter approval with a majority vote and at least 20% turnout from the previous gubernatorial election. Ten percent of the revenue collected must fund Maine's affordable housing programs through the State Housing Authority, while the remaining 90% goes directly to the municipality that enacted the tax. The tax cannot be applied in unorganized territory and cannot take effect before January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes a local sales tax on short-term lodging to fund affordable housing programs, directly increasing tax revenue allocation for essential public services per legislative mandate.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports Housing10% of tax revenue funds Maine's affordable housing programs through State Housing Authority, directly advancing housing access and funding as per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

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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 No ✗ Opposes Housing

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 16, 2025

LD 365: An Act To Respond To The Housing Affordability And Accessibility Crisis In Maine

This bill (LD 365) is a concept draft proposing to amend Maine law to address housing affordability and accessibility issues. It does not detail specific provisions or mechanisms, as it is in early development under Joint Rule 208. The bill directly aims to respond to Maine's housing crisis but lacks concrete policy changes in the provided text. As a concept draft, it has not yet specified how it would affect renters, homeowners, or developers. No voting record or further details are available in the current document.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title explicitly targets Maine's housing affordability crisis, indicating clear supportive intent despite being a concept draft without specific mechanisms.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

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