Rep. Austin Theriault

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to form a stakeholder group to review and recommend changes to Maine's subdivision laws. The group must include representatives from various sectors, such as government agencies, local municipalities, landowners, and the real estate industry, to ensure diverse input. By December 6, 2025, the department is required to submit a report with findings and suggested legislation aimed at modernizing the rules to balance development needs with rural protection and affordable housing goals. The bill also allocates $36,000 in state funding to cover costs for facilitation and legal services needed to carry out this review.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a resolution to create a Rural Health Services Task Force by adding an emergency clause so the group can begin work immediately. It modifies the task force's membership to include a representative for rural employers and changes the behavioral health member to come from a statewide organization rather than a specific rural area. The legislation also authorizes a one-time $120,000 appropriation to fund a third-party contractor to assist the task force in studying rural healthcare delivery in Maine.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a previous proposal to replace the creation of a psilocybin access program with the establishment of a study commission. The new measure creates a 13-member commission composed of legislators, medical professionals, researchers, and public experts to investigate the safety and efficacy of psilocybin therapy. This group will review scientific data, examine how other states regulate psychedelic use, and develop a strategic plan for a future state-regulated program. The commission is required to submit its findings and legislative recommendations to state committees by November 6, 2024, for potential action in the next legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a previous proposal to fund the construction of a new headquarters building for the Bureau of Forestry in Fort Kent. It authorizes a one-time appropriation of $1,850,000 from the state's General Fund to be used in the 2024-25 fiscal year for this project. The funds are designated specifically to build a facility that will house the district headquarters for the Bureau of Forestry.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $6 million from the state's General Fund to support Maine potato farmers through two separate grant programs. Half of the funding, $3 million, is designated for the Potato Marketing Improvement Fund to help farmers develop sustainable irrigation systems that comply with environmental rules regarding water levels. The remaining $3 million goes to a drought relief fund specifically for farmers who are not eligible to receive the irrigation grants. Each individual project under the irrigation program can receive up to $200,000, covering no more than 75% of the total project cost.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Public Art Fund within the Maine Arts Commission to provide one-time grants for installing or performing publicly accessible art. The legislation authorizes a $5,000,000 appropriation from the state's General Fund for the 2023-24 fiscal year, with funds that are not used in that year carried forward to the next fiscal year. This change specifically reduces the originally proposed funding amount from $6,000,000 to $5,000,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $250,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to support the operational costs of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory. The funds are designated for research, education, and outreach related to arthropod management and Lyme disease testing. In exchange for this funding, the laboratory must submit a report on how the money is used to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry by February 1, 2024. The committee retains the option to introduce additional legislation based on the findings in that report.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Maine to issue up to $3,000,000 in bonds to fund the construction of a new jail in Caribou. The funds would be managed by the Treasurer of State and spent specifically under the direction of the Department of Corrections. Because the bill involves state debt, it must be approved by voters in a statewide referendum held after the legislation passes. If approved, the bonds would be repaid over a maximum of 10 years using future state tax revenues.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a larger act to establish how a Blue Ribbon Commission studying long-term care options will be managed and funded. It designates the director of the long-term care ombudsman program as the commission's chair and requires the program to provide necessary staff support. The legislation also mandates that the commission seek outside funding to cover study costs and prohibits meetings until sufficient money is secured. Additionally, it authorizes a specific state allocation to pay for staffing expenses if the commission successfully raises the required external funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends an existing outdoor education program to require providers to follow state licensing rules for guides and trip leaders. Specifically, it mandates that anyone leading outdoor school activities in Maine must hold the appropriate licenses for guides, youth camp leaders, or educational trip leaders as defined by state law. The change ensures that all participants in the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program are supervised by qualified, licensed professionals.