Rep. Parnell Terry

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Maine's business equipment tax exemption rules for large battery storage systems. It specifically removes the tax exemption for systems with a total capacity of 2 megawatts or more. The law directly affects businesses installing or operating commercial-scale battery storage systems (like those used for grid support or large facilities), requiring them to pay taxes on these systems. The key provision clarifies that only smaller battery systems qualify for the existing tax exemption, while larger installations do not.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to create educational materials about perimenopause and menopause. It directs the department to partner with healthcare providers (like OB/GYNs) and community health programs to develop both digital and physical resources. The materials will explain symptoms, treatments, when to seek care, the biological process, and how to discuss these changes with others. These resources will specifically target people who menstruate and are experiencing perimenopause or menopause.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maine's rules for transporting prisoners to court and using force with them. It clarifies that sheriffs (or their deputies) must transport prisoners safely per court orders, and requires written copies of court orders to be left with prison/jail staff. It also defines when correctional staff, transport officers, or law enforcement may use nondeadly force (to prevent escapes or enforce rules) or deadly force (only for self-defense, to stop imminent deadly threats, or during escapes involving weapons). The law explicitly states that only state employees may use deadly force for escapes, and requires officers to warn prisoners before using it.

Maddy summaryLD 620 allocates $200,000 annually from the General Fund to support organizations providing outreach and services to active-duty military members and their families transitioning to civilian life in Maine. The bill directly affects service members and their families relocating to Maine by funding practical assistance like job training, housing help, and counseling. Key provisions include ongoing annual funding for these support services, ensuring consistent access to resources during the transition period. The legislation focuses on concrete financial support for existing service providers, not new programs or policy changes.

Maddy summaryLD 1756 establishes a Transportation Project Selection Council to create a statewide process for prioritizing transportation projects funded by state and federal sources. The Council, composed of representatives from state agencies, regional planning organizations, transit agencies, environmental groups, and community interests (including low-income and immigrant communities), must develop a prioritization framework considering highway, transit, rail, and active transportation improvements. The bill requires the Council to hold at least three annual public meetings (with one in person), accept public input before finalizing the process, and publish an annual report detailing how projects were evaluated. This process will directly guide funding decisions by the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority for transportation projects across the state.

Maddy summaryMaine bill LD 1114 requires the state to provide pensions to spouses or minor children of corrections officers who die from injuries sustained while on duty. The pension equals half the officer’s pay at death, but is guaranteed to be at least $1,000 annually. Spouses receive payments until death or remarriage, while children receive payments until age 18 or death. This applies specifically to officers certified by Maine’s Criminal Justice Academy who supervise confined individuals in county jails. The law mirrors existing pension provisions for sheriffs and deputies who die in the line of duty.

Maddy summaryLD 1020 repeals Maine laws that authorized the construction of a Gorham connector highway and the acquisition of land for it. The bill requires the Maine Turnpike Authority to resell any land purchased for the connector project to the original property owners (or their heirs, successors, or assigns) at the original purchase price. If original owners decline, the land must be transferred to the local municipality at no cost, and the municipality must donate it to a local land trust if they do not want it. If the land trust also declines, the municipality may sell the land at a public auction. This bill directly affects landowners, the Turnpike Authority, and local municipalities in Cumberland County.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces Maine's old "WE CARE" program with the new "Make Change for Wildlife" program. It allows businesses to collect voluntary customer contributions at checkout (up to $10,000 annually per business) and deduct those amounts from their corporate income tax for tax years starting January 1, 2026. All funds collected through this program must be deposited into the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund. The program directly affects businesses that participate in collecting contributions and the wildlife fund, which supports conservation efforts for non-game and endangered species in Maine.

Maddy summaryLD 1635 requires automatic recounts for municipal referendums in Maine when the margin of victory or defeat is less than 1% of all votes cast, including blank ballots. This replaces the current requirement that 10% of registered voters (or 100 voters, whichever is less) must formally request a recount. The bill directly affects voters and election officials in Maine municipalities holding referendums with extremely close results. It streamlines the process by eliminating the need for written applications in these narrow-margin cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits distilleries and out-of-state alcohol manufacturers to ship spirits directly to consumers in Maine, subject to state licensing and regulations. Businesses must obtain a license, only ship spirits they produced or own for personal use (not resale), and ensure all packages are labeled with a clear adult signature requirement upon delivery. The law establishes a regulatory framework for direct alcohol shipments to Maine residents aged 21 or older, requiring state oversight through the bureau for compliance and safety.