Rep. Matt Beck

Maddy summaryLD 1450 establishes the Voluntary Municipal Farm Support Program, enabling Maine municipalities to pay farm owners to keep land in agricultural use through conservation easements. Under the program, municipalities make annual payments covering up to 100% of property taxes on farmland (up to the easement's fair market value) for a minimum 10-year term, with easements preventing non-farm development. Municipalities are limited to including no more than 3% of their total taxable land valuation in the program (with a 1% annual cap without a two-thirds vote). The bill moves the program from agricultural law to taxation law and reduces the minimum easement term from 20 to 10 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill validates a November 2024 referendum in South Portland where voters approved two bond measures: $1 million for school maintenance and $3 million for school safety improvements. It fixes technical errors in the referendum process - specifically, the treasurer’s unsigned debt statement and incorrect election notice - that could have jeopardized the bonds' marketability. The bill authorizes the city to issue these bonds and enter related contracts as approved by voters. It directly affects South Portland's ability to fund school projects through the bonds, with no new policy changes beyond validating the existing referendum.

Maddy summaryMaine's LD 1324 prohibits motor vehicle dealers and manufacturers from misleading consumers about gasoline-powered hybrid vehicles by falsely suggesting they are electric. The law bans specific deceptive advertising terms like "EV," "electric," "E," or "range," and imagery such as lightning bolts or battery symbols that imply hybrids run primarily on electricity. It applies to all marketing formats, including print, online, radio, TV, and dealership signage. The Maine Attorney General enforces the law, with violations treated as unfair trade practices under existing state law. This directly affects consumers shopping for vehicles and ensures advertising accurately reflects whether a vehicle is a true electric vehicle or a gasoline hybrid.

Maddy summaryLD 1047 imposes a new 4% tax on capital gains income (profits from selling investments like stocks or property) that exceed specific annual thresholds. The tax applies to single filers and married individuals filing separately above $250,000, heads of households above $375,000, and married couples filing jointly above $500,000. This tax will take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and applies only to capital gains earned above these limits. It directly affects high-income earners who realize significant investment profits, increasing their tax burden on the portion of gains exceeding these thresholds.

Maddy summaryLD 853 replaces Maine's current minimum wage with a regionally based living wage starting January 1, 2026. The bill divides the state into three regions (Coastal: Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Kennebec, Oxford; Northern: Aroostook, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Somerset, Franklin, Washington, Androscoggin; Portland metropolitan: York, Cumberland) and sets the wage for each region based on annual data from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (or successor) for "one adult with no children." Until December 31, 2025, the minimum wage remains $14.65 per hour. After 2026, the wage will automatically adjust each January based on the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region, rounded to the nearest 5¢.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine insurers to report annually on their investments and underwriting related to fossil fuels, starting in 2026. Insurers must disclose details about any investments in companies deriving 10%+ revenue from oil, gas, or coal activities, along with associated emissions data. The law prohibits insurers from underwriting new fossil fuel projects (like pipelines, wells, or mines) and mandates alignment with science-based climate targets. These reports will be publicly posted online, directly affecting all insurers operating in Maine. The bill aims to reduce climate risk exposure by shifting financial support away from fossil fuel expansion.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative joint resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Mayaguez incident (May 12-15, 1975), recognized as the last U.S. combat mission in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. It honors the 18 U.S. service members who died and 50 wounded during the rescue operation involving the seized SS Mayaguez cargo ship and Marines on Koh Tang Island. The resolution specifically acknowledges Maine’s connection, noting 48,000 Mainers served in Vietnam, 343 are memorialized at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and 11 remain missing. It expresses gratitude for all Maine veterans’ service and sacrifice during the conflict, with no policy or financial provisions.

Maddy summaryMaine's Care Force establishes a new state program within the Department of Health and Human Services to address healthcare worker shortages. It creates a 3-year service program for individuals aged 18+ who commit to training and placement as essential support workers (serving older adults, children, and people with disabilities). Participants receive comprehensive health coverage, subsidized housing, training in caregiving and certifications, and monthly stipends, while the state funds the program with $32 million annually. The program will deploy workers to underserved areas, require annual reporting on outcomes, and undergo 5-year evaluations to assess effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a legislative bill with policy changes. Maine's 132nd Legislature passed HP 1242 to formally honor Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025. The resolution commemorates his life, papacy, and legacy of service to the marginalized, citing his teachings and writings. It has no direct effect on policy, funding, or specific groups, as it is purely symbolic.

Maddy summaryLD 268 removes mandatory minimum prison sentences for all criminal cases in Maine, effective January 1, 2026. It requires judges to exercise discretion in sentencing, allowing them to impose sentences below previously fixed minimum terms. The bill directs the Criminal Law Advisory Commission to identify all mandatory sentencing provisions in Maine law by December 3, 2025, and propose changes to convert them into maximum terms. This affects all defendants convicted of crimes under Maine law and shifts sentencing authority from rigid statutes to judicial judgment.