Rep. Tiffany Strout

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-member commission to study unfunded and outdated mandates imposed on Maine municipalities and counties. The commission, appointed with balanced representation from legislative leaders, municipal associations, and communities of varying sizes, will meet 2-4 times annually to review these mandates and recommend which should be eliminated or revised. It must submit a final report by December 1, 2027, to the Legislature’s state and local government committee. The bill itself does not change any laws but creates a process for evaluating existing requirements affecting local governments.

Maddy summaryLD 624 establishes a 12-member commission to study creating a legislative internship program. The commission, including legislators, education experts, and student representatives, will develop recommendations for matching Maine college students (or out-of-state students studying in Maine) with legislators to assist with policy work. It must submit a report by February 1, 2026, including a pilot program proposal for the next legislative session, covering application processes, pay, training, and program costs. This bill does not create the internship program itself but sets up the study to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryLD 1764 requires career and technical education (CTE) centers or regions in Maine to maintain specific staffing ratios based on student enrollment: at least one full-time staff per 8 students for centers with fewer than 1,000 students, and one per 13 students for larger centers. It directly affects CTE programs in smaller communities, ensuring they receive adequate staffing support. The bill mandates annual funding calculations to cover staffing gaps, with the state distributing additional funds by November 30th each year to meet these ratios, prioritizing smaller centers (<1,000 students). This establishes a concrete funding mechanism to address staffing equity across the state’s CTE programs.

Maddy summaryLD 506 proposes a $50 million general fund bond issue to fund research and commercialization projects. It would provide competitive grants to Maine-based public and private institutions for technological innovation in targeted sectors like biomedical tech, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing, requiring at least a one-to-one match of private or federal funds. The bond proceeds must be spent under the direction of the Department of Economic and Community Development, specifically through the Office of Innovation. The bond issue requires voter approval via referendum, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $315,788 for the 2025-26 fiscal year and $325,477 for 2026-27 to fund four Maine State Trooper positions and related operational costs for rural patrols in Washington County. The funding comes from the General Fund and Highway Fund to address reduced patrol coverage by the Maine State Police. It directly affects Washington County residents by restoring law enforcement presence in rural areas and the Maine State Police by providing resources for deployment. The bill is enacted as an emergency to take effect immediately, avoiding the standard 90-day delay.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a resolution to create a working group focused on improving wellness and mental health resources for workers in Maine's heritage industries. The amendment clarifies that the group will include a representative from logging specifically, and expands the group's responsibilities to address primary care access, challenges faced by migrant workers, and support for individuals with serious brain disorders or traumatic brain injuries. These changes aim to ensure the working group considers a broader range of workforce needs and specific health concerns within the industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates July 21st as Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day to honor individuals who have lost their lives in commercial fishing activities. The legislation requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing those who died while fishing for lobsters, scallops, clams, or participating in other commercial fisheries in the state. This is a commemorative measure that establishes a specific date for remembrance and directs the Governor to acknowledge the sacrifices made by commercial fishermen.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's Office of Community Affairs to create and provide a standardized mapping template and technical assistance to municipalities, tribal governments, and regional councils. The template helps these entities proactively identify and map areas of concern related to aquaculture lease siting (such as shellfish farming locations), supporting informed local planning decisions. It does not change existing laws but adds this mapping service as a new duty for the Office of Community Affairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 30% income tax credit (capped at $300,000 annually) for small waterfront businesses in Maine that make qualifying disaster mitigation improvements to their property. It directly affects businesses meeting the gross receipts test ($47 million average annual revenue over 3 years) that operate on "working waterfront property" (e.g., commercial fishing, boating, or aquaculture operations with water access). Qualifying projects include structural elevation, stormwater management systems, erosion control, flood-resistant construction, and hazard warning systems designed to meet specific building codes. The credit applies to costs of projects completed after January 1, 2025, and cannot be combined with other similar tax credits. Unused credit amounts may be carried forward for up to 10 years.

Maddy summaryLD 1755 increases Maine's historic property rehabilitation tax credit to 35% for projects in rural areas that include housing. It defines "rural area" as municipalities with fewer than 17,500 residents (per U.S. Census) and requires at least 33% of the building to be used for housing (like apartments or homes) to qualify. The credit applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2024, directly affecting property owners and developers renovating historic buildings in eligible rural communities. This change aims to incentivize housing-focused rehabilitation in smaller towns by expanding financial support for qualifying projects.