Rep. Drew Gattine

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 summaryLD 1036 amends Maine's housing discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "status as a recipient of federal, state or local public assistance," including housing subsidies and medical assistance. The bill directly affects housing providers (landlords, managers, agents) and public assistance recipients by making it unlawful to refuse housing, make discriminatory inquiries, or advertise based on this status. Key provisions ban actions like denying rentals, setting different terms, or evicting tenants solely because of public assistance status, adding it to existing protected categories like race and disability. This creates concrete legal protections for individuals relying on public assistance to secure housing.

Maddy summaryLD 1887 requires Maine's Department of Education to amend school construction rules to set air quality and ventilation standards specifically for newly built public schools. This replaces a prior requirement that applied to all public schools, focusing the new standards solely on new construction (not existing schools). The updated rules must be adopted by January 4, 2026, and will apply to all new public school buildings completed between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryLD 1476 imposes a $2 fee on the rental of living quarters in hotels or short-term rentals, and on recreational vehicle camping reservations, starting January 1, 2026. The revenue generated from this fee must be directed to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. This funding is specifically designated to support the operational costs of homeless shelters across the state. The bill directly affects property owners and renters in the hospitality and camping sectors, while providing new resources for shelter services.

Maddy summaryLD 135 would provide compensation to members of Maine's Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. Currently, these members receive no pay for their service; this bill sets their compensation at the standard daily rate paid to state legislators (legislative per diem) and authorizes reimbursement for related expenses. The change aims to make it easier for women from all parts of Maine to serve on the commission by reducing financial barriers. This bill directly affects the 15 appointed members of the commission, who advise the legislature on women's issues.

Maddy summaryLD 1509 requires Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to finalize and implement reimbursement rates for home and community-based services by July 1, 2025. These rates, based on a 2023 cost study, directly affect approximately 5,000 adults with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or brain injury who rely on MaineCare for essential daily services. The bill mandates the department to use the completed rate study - previously delayed due to a postponed waiver rollout - to ensure providers can continue delivering critical support. This prevents disruption to services like individualized employment, residential care, and community engagement that these individuals depend on daily.

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 summaryThis bill ensures that housing assistance under Maine's general assistance program does not reduce support for other essential needs like food, utilities, or clothing. It extends the automatic eligibility period for homeless individuals in emergency shelters from 30 days to 180 days, reducing administrative hurdles for those seeking aid. The state will increase its reimbursement rate for municipal and tribal general assistance costs from 70% to 90%, while covering 100% of costs for emergency shelter services. These changes directly affect low-income households receiving aid and the local governments and tribal communities administering the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 701) requires Maine's Department of Education to submit a report by December 31, 2025, examining how financial literacy is taught across all public schools. The report must assess current implementation of personal finance standards under Maine's "Spiraling K-12" approach - where financial topics build progressively from kindergarten through 12th grade - and evaluate school performance against these standards. It must include recommendations for improving student achievement in financial literacy education. The report will be submitted to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, which could propose new legislation based on the findings. The bill does not change current standards but mandates a review to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryLD 842 expands MaineCare eligibility to include noncitizen Mainers with specific health conditions, directly affecting immigrants who would otherwise be ineligible for Medicaid due to federal restrictions. The bill allows individuals with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, organ failure, or type 1 diabetes to qualify for MaineCare coverage starting July 1, 2026, regardless of immigration status. It mandates state-funded coverage using Maine's budget (not dependent on federal approval) and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maximize federal matching funds. The law also directs a stakeholder group to review emergency Medicaid programs and recommend expanded coverage for conditions like diabetic emergencies and bone fractures by July 2026.