Rep. Mathew McIntyre

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Maine's Public Utilities Commission to conduct two studies to support energy development. First, it requires a review of existing hydroelectric facilities, evaluating expansion opportunities, potential relocation, restoration of decommissioned sites, and new technologies from other states. Second, it mandates a study on developing a geothermal power plant, defined as using Earth's heat to generate electricity. The Commission must submit reports with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by November 4, 2026, for potential future legislation. The studies aim to inform a balanced energy portfolio but do not implement new policies or affect specific groups directly.

Maddy summaryLD 1405 amends Maine's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) rules to remove two funding sources for intervenors (like consumer advocates) and participants in utility proceedings. Specifically, it eliminates the PUC's authority to use administrative penalties collected from utilities for this funding and removes the option to provide similar funding in nonadjudicatory proceedings (e.g., rulemaking). The bill directly affects utility customers, consumer groups, and the PUC itself by changing how funding is allocated in utility-related cases. These changes clarify that funding must come only from the PUC's Regulatory Fund, not from utility penalties, and apply uniformly to all proceedings. The bill does not create new funding but revises existing mechanisms.

Maddy summaryLD 775 requires that any future salary increase for Maine's Governor (effective after January 2027) or for state legislators (effective after December 2024, excluding cost-of-living adjustments) must be submitted to voters for approval or rejection at the next November general election. This means voters - not the Legislature - would decide whether to accept these pay raises. The bill does not apply to automatic cost-of-living adjustments, which remain unchanged under current law. It directly affects the Governor and all members of the Maine Legislature by making salary increases subject to public vote.

Maddy summaryLD 112 establishes a temporary student wage in Maine, setting the minimum hourly wage for secondary school students at 50% of the state's regular minimum wage for at least two years from their first day of employment. This applies specifically to students enrolled in secondary school (grades 9-12) who are employed in Maine, with the reduced rate ending automatically upon graduation. The bill requires employers to transition these students to the full minimum wage once they complete secondary school. This policy directly affects secondary students working in Maine by providing a lower initial wage rate during their education.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Maine public utilities from requiring new residential customers to pay an upfront deposit solely based on their income level. It specifically bans deposits for applicants who haven't used the utility's service within the past 30 days, defining such applicants as "new" customers. Utilities may still require deposits if they can prove a customer is a credit risk or likely to damage property, but must provide that proof upon request. The Public Utilities Commission must create implementing rules by October 1, 2025. The law directly affects low- and middle-income households applying for new utility service.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines a "military protective order" as a protection order issued by a military commanding officer against a service member under their command. It allows such military orders to be used as evidence of immediate danger in Maine's protection from abuse and harassment court cases. Courts can now consider a military protective order to satisfy the requirement for "immediate and present danger" when issuing temporary protection orders. This change recognizes military protections in civil court, helping service members and their families avoid duplicative legal processes.

Maddy summaryLD 774 requires all state-owned buildings (occupied, nonresidential buildings where state employees work) to have bleeding control kits by October 1, 2026. These kits must include specific items like tourniquets, wound-packing gauze, and specialized dressings approved by medical authorities, and must be inspected regularly for expiration and condition. The bill also creates a fund to provide grants or reimbursements to schools, businesses, or organizations that place kits or offer related training. It protects individuals who use kits in good faith during emergencies from liability, unless gross negligence occurs. This applies to all state-owned buildings except vacant, construction, or renovation sites.

Maddy summaryLD 148 changes how Maine's State Auditor is selected. Currently, the State Auditor is elected by the Maine Legislature until 2028. Beginning in 2028, the State Auditor will be elected every four years by all Maine voters in a statewide popular election, following the same process as the Governor's election. This shift means the public - not the Legislature - will directly choose the State Auditor starting in 2028.

Maddy summaryLD 1250 clarifies that Maine's requirement for competitive electricity providers to source at least 30% of their supply from renewable resources applies only to actual retail electricity sales to end customers, such as households and small businesses. This change ensures the renewable energy mandate does not apply to bulk sales or other non-retail electricity transactions. Existing supply contracts in place before September 2019 remain exempt until their terms end. The bill aims to make the renewable energy requirement clearer by limiting it strictly to transactions reaching final retail consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how utilities compensate property owners when they take land for transmission lines over 5,000 volts using eminent domain. It requires utilities to set aside 1% of revenue from the line's construction, rebuilding, or relocation each year. This amount is paid annually over 20 years to affected property owners, with payments based on the number of acres taken from each owner. The bill directly affects landowners whose property is used for utility infrastructure and replaces previous compensation rules.