Rep. Dick Campbell

Maddy summaryLD 147 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Maine's Secretary of State is selected. Currently appointed by the Legislature, the Secretary of State would instead be elected directly by voters every two years, starting in 2026, using the same voting process as for state Senators and Representatives. The amendment requires voter approval in a statewide referendum held during the November 2025 election, asking "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to provide that the Secretary of State be elected by the people biennially?" If approved, the change would take effect upon the Governor's proclamation. This directly affects Maine voters and the office of Secretary of State, shifting selection from legislative appointment to popular election.

Maddy summaryLD 546 requires Maine's Department of Agriculture to contract a consultant to develop 5-8 preapproved building types (like single-family homes, duplexes, and mixed-use buildings) that municipalities may adopt. Each type must include 8-10 design options reflecting local architecture, meet building codes, and include units where rent does not exceed 30% of the county's median income. The bill mandates public input through surveys and feedback on draft designs, and requires compliance with fire safety standards. The department must submit a report by November 2026 with recommendations for streamlining permit approvals for these preapproved types. This aims to reduce building permit processing time and costs for municipalities and developers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maine's zoning laws to increase housing options in larger municipalities. It requires towns with populations over 10,000 to allow up to four residential units on a single lot (instead of two) if the lot has no existing home and is in a designated growth area or has certain utility infrastructure. It also mandates that these municipalities permit accessory dwelling units (like guest houses) on single-family lots in all residential zones. The law applies only to municipalities exceeding 10,000 residents and does not restrict existing zoning rules for smaller towns.

Maddy summaryLD 1063 requires Maine's Public Utilities Commission to direct investor-owned electric utilities to competitively bid for contracts to purchase electricity and renewable energy credits from generators using municipal solid waste (trash) in combination with recycling. The bill mandates a competitive solicitation by November 1, 2025, for up to 35 megawatts of power, with contracts requiring pricing below 7 cents per kilowatt-hour and terms of 5-15 years. Only generators that pay Maine state excise, income, property, and sales taxes qualify for these contracts. This policy directly affects utilities (who must procure the power) and qualifying waste-to-energy generators (who must meet tax requirements to participate).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine's renewable energy law to include electricity generated by new nuclear power plants (constructed after January 1, 2025) as a qualifying renewable resource. It directly affects competitive electricity providers in Maine, who must meet renewable energy requirements under the state's portfolio standard. The key change adds new nuclear plants to the definition of "renewable capacity resource" in the law, allowing them to count toward compliance. This applies only to plants built after 2025, not existing nuclear facilities. The bill does not alter current renewable energy standards for existing sources like wind or solar.

Maddy summaryLD 228 amends Maine's Natural Resources Protection Act to allow the Department of Environmental Protection to approve a one-time 2-foot height increase for existing coastal seawalls in sand dune systems. This applies to seawalls already in place as of January 1, 2025, provided the increase meets all other department requirements. The bill also permits a similar 2-foot height allowance when replacing seawalls destroyed or threatened by storms. It directly affects coastal property owners and municipalities seeking to adapt existing infrastructure to rising sea levels and increased storm impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits using AI-generated images of specific minors in advertisements without parental consent, requiring written permission for any minor's image in marketing. It creates a civil right for minors or their parents to sue violators for damages and legal fees. The bill also amends criminal laws to classify as a crime the intentional dissemination of AI-generated material depicting minors under 16 (Class C) or under 12 (Class B) engaging in sexually explicit conduct. It directly affects advertisers, content creators, and anyone using AI to generate images of minors, while providing legal recourse for minors and their guardians.

Maddy summaryLD 1882 directs Maine's Department of Environmental Protection to update rules protecting significant vernal pools - seasonal wetlands critical for wildlife like wood frogs and salamanders. It requires defining a 100-foot "buffer zone" around pools where no disturbance is allowed, ensures equal protections for habitat crossing property lines, and adjusts pool-drying dates (July 15th in northern Maine, July 1st in southern Maine). The rule changes apply to landowners, developers, and conservation efforts near these habitats. This is a technical update to existing environmental rules, not a new law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permit requirement for hunting coyotes over bait in Maine. It applies to hunters with a valid license who wish to hunt coyotes using bait between September 1 and December 15, specifically in wildlife management districts 1-14, 18, 19, 27, and 28. The permit costs $4, and hunters must place bait only in towns with active deer wintering areas. Violating this rule is a Class E crime punishable by a minimum $50 fine plus twice the license fee.

Maddy summaryLD 777 standardizes the muzzle-loading deer hunting season across all of Maine by requiring a single statewide season length, replacing the current system that allowed regional variations. The bill amends state law to mandate that the commissioner establish one uniform season length for the entire state through rulemaking, rather than permitting different lengths in different areas. This directly affects deer hunters using muzzle-loading firearms statewide and limits the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's authority to adjust season lengths regionally. The bill does not change the existing maximum season length of 12 days.