Rep. Parnell Terry

Maddy summaryThis bill, as amended, would expand Maine's sales tax exemption to cover all residential electricity sales and deliveries starting July 1, 2026. Currently, only limited categories (such as the first 750 kWh per month, off-peak heating electricity, and low-income program electricity) are exempt. The exemption applies to electricity used in homes (excluding hotels) and multi-unit buildings billed per unit, replacing the existing partial exemption. It includes an emergency clause to take effect immediately, bypassing the standard 90-day waiting period after legislative adjournment, to provide faster tax relief for residential customers.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Maine State Housing Authority to administer a program offering grants of up to $15,000 to help reduce mortgage rates for first-time home buyers with incomes within federal limits. The grants are intended for owner-occupied single-family residences and can be used to lower the interest rate on the purchase loan. Additionally, the bill allows Maine taxpayers to deduct private mortgage insurance payments from their state income tax for their primary residence in the state. These changes aim to make homeownership more affordable for lower and moderate-income residents while providing tax relief for mortgage insurance costs.

Maddy summaryLD 1626 requires Maine school districts to provide annual professional development for educational technicians and hourly-paid school support staff. Districts must offer at least 6 hours of paid, in-person training yearly, with 4 hours completed before the school year starts or within 30 days of hiring. New school support staff must receive initial training within 60 days on topics like emergency procedures and school policies, while educational technicians must also get training on student disabilities and behavioral needs, plus time to review student individualized education programs within 5 days of starting to work with a student.

Maddy summaryLD 260 is a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to Maine's constitution that would guarantee equal rights under the law for all residents, prohibiting discrimination by the state or local governments based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin. This amendment would directly affect all Maine residents by legally requiring state and local entities to provide equal treatment without regard to these protected characteristics. The resolution requires a statewide referendum in the next November election, where voters would decide whether to adopt the amendment by answering "Yes" or "No" on a ballot. If approved by a majority of voters, the amendment would become part of Maine's constitution, giving the Legislature authority to create enforcing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations to temporarily suspend enforcement of ownership limits on liquor licenses for a 24-month period. It specifically protects manufacturing facility licenses and their associated retail licenses issued before May 23, 2025, from being suspended, revoked, or denied renewal solely because a majority owner now holds more than the allowable number of retail licenses. The legislation aims to give existing license holders time to adjust their ownership structures without immediate penalty. This change affects liquor manufacturers and their owners who may have acquired additional retail licenses after the original ownership restrictions were established.

Maddy summaryLD 1661 establishes the Maine Invasive Species Advisory Council to coordinate state efforts in managing invasive species across all sectors. The council, composed of 20 members including agency representatives and stakeholders from agriculture, tribes, recreation, and environmental groups, will assess invasive species impacts and develop a comprehensive statewide management plan. This plan must address environmental, economic, and social effects while covering all types of invasive species. The council will meet quarterly, collaborate with federal agencies, and advise the Governor and Legislature on prevention, detection, and control strategies.

Maddy summaryLD 646 establishes a 13-member commission to study unregulated storm water pollution in Maine. The commission, including state agency representatives and environmental/municipal stakeholders, will analyze how storm water affects coastal waters, habitats, and species, identify data gaps, and recommend policies to reduce pollution. It must submit a report with findings and suggested legislation to the Environment Committee by December 3, 2025. This study directly affects Maine's coastal ecosystems and public health by addressing pollution sources like urban development and climate change impacts. The commission's work will inform future state policies but does not enact new laws itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most Maine employers without a retirement plan to offer the Maine Retirement Savings Program to eligible employees, starting December 31, 2024. It expands the definition of "covered employer" to include businesses that haven't offered a retirement plan in the past two years (excluding government entities and very small businesses). Employers failing to enroll face escalating penalties: $20 per employee in year one, $50 in year two, and $100 in year three. The bill also allocates $350,000 for the program's 2025-26 fiscal year and mandates annual financial reports starting July 2026.

Maddy summaryLD 882 adds critical incident stress management peer support to the legal definition of "health care" in Maine law, protecting communications between these providers and people they assist. The bill designates peer support providers as mandatory reporters for suspected child abuse or neglect, requiring them to report such cases under state law. It establishes a legal privilege preventing these providers from being forced to testify about confidential communications during peer support sessions, except when a person's physical or mental condition is in question or a court deems disclosure necessary for justice. This protects the confidentiality of sensitive support conversations while ensuring child safety reporting obligations are met.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maine's rules for agricultural fairs by extending the window for qualifying events from 24 to 48 hours before official fair dates. It allows fair licensees to host events for awarding prizes during this extended period, while clarifying that events held within one week of assigned fair dates are considered outside the designated fair period. The amendment specifically excludes livestock, poultry, youth livestock, and pulling events from the 48-hour rule, and permits the Department of Agriculture to use Stipend Fund money to reimburse licensees for educational workshops and demonstrations without requiring premium payments for competitions. These changes directly affect agricultural fair licensees and the Department of Agriculture's fund distribution process.