Rep. Tiffany Roberts

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution recognizing April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Maine. It expresses the legislature's support for survivors of sexual violence and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to raise community awareness about sexual violence, without creating new laws or allocating funding.

Maddy summaryLD 1338 requires all state agencies and semiautonomous state agencies to submit by October 1, 2025, a list of properties they deem surplus and eligible for redevelopment under Maine law. The Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority must then compile these lists and report by December 3, 2025, on the redevelopment potential of these properties, particularly for housing and economic development. This procedural bill directs state agencies to provide property data to facilitate future redevelopment planning, without creating new regulations or funding.

Maddy summaryLD 1685 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change Maine's direct initiative process. It requires initiative petitions to collect signatures equal to 10% of the vote for Governor in the last gubernatorial election, with all signatures dated within one year of filing. The amendment also specifies that if the Legislature fails to pass an initiative or passes it with less than a two-thirds vote, the measure must be submitted to voters. It further establishes rules for when competing legislative alternatives must be presented to voters and how to handle votes when multiple options are on the ballot. This proposal, if approved by the Legislature and voters, would directly affect citizens seeking to propose laws through initiative and the Legislature's role in handling such proposals.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits pet-related fees for renters in Maine. Landlords may only charge a refundable security deposit of up to $300 for pets or a monthly pet rent fee not exceeding 1% of the total rent, but cannot charge non-refundable fees. It prohibits all other pet-related charges, including non-refundable deposits or fees for service or assistance animals. The law directly affects tenants with pets and landlords in rental housing across Maine. Service and assistance animals remain exempt from all pet fees under the bill.

Maddy summaryLD 1392 clarifies which employers in Maine must follow state laws regulating payroll processors. It amends the definition of "Employer" to specify that these regulations apply only to businesses with a legal address in Maine (defined as the IRS mailing address used by the employer). This change directly affects payroll processors and employers operating in Maine, ensuring regulations apply only to Maine-based employers. The bill does not alter payroll processing requirements but clarifies the scope of existing law to prevent confusion for out-of-state businesses using Maine-based payroll services.

Maddy summaryLD 751 extends a current law allowing residents in Washington and Hancock Counties (south of Route 9) to train up to six dogs for bear hunting during specific months (July 1 to four days before the bear hunting season). This law, which requires landowner permission for training on wild blueberry land, was scheduled to expire on May 1, 2025, but the bill ensures it remains in effect until that date. The measure prevents an earlier lapse that could have increased bear-human conflicts with landowners. The bill does not change training rules but maintains the existing authorization until the original expiration date.

Maddy summaryLD 521 prohibits housing discrimination in Maine based on source of income, military status, or veteran status. It amends Maine’s housing law to explicitly protect renters and prospective tenants from discrimination related to housing vouchers, government benefits (like Social Security or child support), military service, or veteran status. Landlords, agents, and brokers are now barred from refusing to rent, charging different terms, or advertising in ways that discriminate based on these categories. The law applies to all housing accommodations and aligns with existing protections for race, gender, disability, and other categories under Maine law.

Maddy summaryLD 942 requires Maine's Department of Agriculture to prioritize small and midsize farms (as defined by the Commissioner) for federal livestock grants. It also mandates clear state grant application rules and a stakeholder-informed process for evaluating state grants, including input from small/midsize farm owners and processors. The bill directs the development of shared-use kitchen programs to help midsize farms build processing infrastructure for local food demand. The Department must adopt these rules by June 30, 2025, and report on implementation by August 15, 2025. This bill directly affects small and midsize livestock and nonlivestock farms and their processors across Maine.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine health insurance companies to cover FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist medications prescribed by a doctor, with out-of-pocket costs limited to $35 per 30-day prescription. It prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for this coverage and mandates an education campaign by the state insurance department about the medication and its health benefits. The requirements apply to all health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. This directly affects patients prescribed these medications and insurers offering health plans in Maine.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 711) creates a process for renewable energy developers to appeal denials of exemptions for delays related to site inspections and local government approvals when building on nonfertile land. It requires Maine's Public Utilities Commission to establish rules allowing entities to submit documentation about delays, and mandates the Commission to treat such delays as "external" if the project is on nonfertile land. The bill defines "nonfertile land" as land unsuitable for agriculture without major modifications (e.g., for crops, livestock, or dairy) without substantial change. This aims to streamline renewable energy development on non-farm land while ensuring climate goals are met without disrupting active agricultural operations.