Rep. Amy Arata

Maddy summaryLD 1521 requires all Maine state agencies (including Executive, Legislative, and Judicial departments) to justify every program and activity from scratch using zero-based budgeting once every 10 years, starting with the 2027-28 fiscal budget. During non-zero-based years, agencies must submit budget recommendations including 5% and 10% funding reduction scenarios. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services must review state budget laws by January 2026 to enable this system and propose necessary statutory changes. This policy shifts budgeting from incremental adjustments to requiring full justification of all spending every decade.

Maddy summaryLD 978 increases Maine's state reimbursement rate for municipalities and Indian tribes covering general assistance program costs. It raises current 70% reimbursement to 90% of direct costs by July 1, 2030. For the six municipalities or tribes receiving the highest reimbursement (2021-2025), the increase is phased: 75% (2026-2028), 80% (2028-2030), then 90% after 2030. All other municipalities and tribes will receive 90% reimbursement starting July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects local governments and tribal entities administering general assistance programs.

Maddy summaryLD 1893 establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate in Maine to oversee state agencies that serve children. This office directly affects children under 21 in state custody, receiving services, or connected to child welfare reports (within the past 3 years), as well as the agencies providing those services. The key mechanism requires the office to investigate "critical incidents" (like abuse, near-fatal injuries, trafficking, or fatalities) and independently review agency practices to ensure child safety. The office operates separately from other state agencies but reports to the legislature, focusing on preventing harm through oversight of policies and procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to impose a $500 assessment on individuals convicted of specific crimes related to commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking, with a $1,000 fee for repeat offenders. The funds collected from these assessments must be transferred to the Victims' Compensation Fund and used exclusively to support victims and survivors of these crimes. Courts may waive or reduce the assessment based on the convicted person's ability to pay, and the bill ensures that unpaid balances are communicated to correctional authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands vaccine access in Maine by allowing licensed pharmacists to prescribe, dispense, and administer FDA-approved vaccines without requiring a doctor's prescription for eligible patients. It requires health insurance plans and the MaineCare program to cover all vaccines without deductibles, copayments, or other out-of-pocket costs, including coverage for off-label vaccine use. Pharmacists can administer influenza vaccines to people aged 3 and older, and other CDC-recommended vaccines to adults 18 and older, with additional authority for COVID-19 vaccines to those aged 3 and older. The legislation also clarifies legal definitions for off-label use and medically accepted indications to support these expanded prescribing and administration powers.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution formally recognizes the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. It highlights the organization's role in representing over 62,000 health care professionals nationwide, including 217 members in Maine who provide obstetric and gynecologic care. The bill commends the college for its efforts to improve maternal health and protect patient access to care. Finally, it directs that an authenticated copy of the resolution be sent to the organization as a gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of September 20 to September 26, 2026, as Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week in Maine. The resolution aims to increase public awareness of this neurodegenerative disease, which primarily affects people between 45 and 64 years old and impacts speech, behavior, and motor skills. By formally recognizing this specific time period, the legislature intends to encourage local, state, and national efforts to educate the public about the condition and its challenges. The measure does not allocate funding or change laws but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the need for greater understanding of the disease.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally recognizes the life and accomplishments of the late United States Senator Margaret Chase Smith. It highlights her historic achievements, including being the first woman elected to both houses of Congress and her notable speech against McCarthyism. The resolution also honors her contributions to civil rights, her pioneering role in the 1964 presidential nomination process, and her legacy through her library and museum. This measure serves as an official tribute to her public service and leadership rather than enacting new policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolve establishes a 12-member working group to study changing Maine's state fiscal year from July 1-June 30 to October 1-September 30. The group will examine potential benefits, fiscal impacts on state, county, municipal, and school budgets, implementation methods, and necessary legal changes. The working group must report findings and recommendations to the appropriations committee by December 3, 2025, though the resolve itself does not change the fiscal year. This study directly affects all state and local government entities that manage budgets under the current fiscal cycle.

Maddy summaryLD 1404 creates a working group to assess the current state of school and public libraries in Maine. The group, led by the State Librarian and including representatives from library associations, school districts, and state agencies, will study library services for diverse communities (including seniors, people with disabilities, and remote areas), the role of libraries in community needs like emergency preparedness, and factors such as facilities, technology, and staffing. The working group must submit a final report to the Legislature by November 1, 2027, detailing findings and recommendations based on public input and research. This resolution does not enact new policy but directs a study to inform future library support.