Rep. Laura Supica

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "sun-grown cultivator" as a caregiver who grows cannabis without artificial light. It establishes higher annual cultivation limits for sun-grown caregivers in Maine's medical cannabis program: up to 150 mature plants or 2,500 square feet of mature canopy per year, compared to lower limits for other cultivation methods. The bill also requires separate cultivation areas for mature plants, immature plants, and seedlings, with a maximum of two cultivation sites total. These changes apply specifically to medical caregivers registered for sun-grown cultivation, aiming to support outdoor growing practices.

Maddy summaryLD 1840 amends Maine's Medical Use of Cannabis Act to reduce regulatory burden on cannabis businesses. The key change (Section 6) prohibits the state department from requiring specific forms or issuing compliance guidance for registered caregivers, dispensaries, testing facilities, or manufacturers. This means these entities no longer need to use department-issued forms or follow departmental guidance documents to comply with the law. The bill directly affects medical cannabis providers and caregivers by simplifying administrative requirements. It makes no changes to patient access, product types, or manufacturing rules for cannabis concentrates or food.

Maddy summaryLD 1669 establishes the Cannabis Advisory Council in Maine to advise on medical and adult-use cannabis industry operations. The 10-member council includes medical cannabis patients/caregivers (3), industry licensees (3), public members (2), a municipal official (1), and a cannabis science expert (1), appointed per specific guidelines in Sections 14-15. The council's role is to make recommendations to the director and legislature regarding industry improvements, tracking systems, public health, and federal legalization matters, as outlined in Section 2. Funding for council expenses comes from existing state funds for adult use and medical cannabis programs, as specified in Sections 36-37.

Maddy summaryLD 1755 increases Maine's historic property rehabilitation tax credit to 35% for projects in rural areas that include housing. It defines "rural area" as municipalities with fewer than 17,500 residents (per U.S. Census) and requires at least 33% of the building to be used for housing (like apartments or homes) to qualify. The credit applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2024, directly affecting property owners and developers renovating historic buildings in eligible rural communities. This change aims to incentivize housing-focused rehabilitation in smaller towns by expanding financial support for qualifying projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's State Housing Authority to contract for at least three certified recovery residences led by LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. These residences must serve LGBTQIA+ individuals and others in recovery, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, with locations distributed across three population sizes (60,000+ residents, 20,000-59,999, and under 20,000). Each residence must provide shared living spaces, tailored recovery support, and services addressing LGBTQIA+ needs, staffed by at least two certified peer support workers paid livable wages. The bill also creates the LGBTQIA+ Recovery Residence Fund within the Housing Authority to distribute competitive grants for these services.

Maddy summaryLD 1229 (An Act to Create Equity in Maine's Campaign Finance Laws Between Enrolled and Unenrolled Candidates) changes Maine's campaign finance rules to ensure equal contribution limits for gubernatorial and legislative candidates. It requires that candidates not appearing on a primary ballot (unenrolled) face the same contribution limits per election cycle as candidates who appear on a primary ballot (enrolled). This applies to all gubernatorial and legislative races, removing a previous distinction that allowed unenrolled candidates to have higher limits. The bill directly affects candidates running for governor or state legislature who choose not to compete in primary elections. It creates a more uniform system without altering the actual dollar limits.

Maddy summaryLD 857 requires Maine's Bureau of General Services to publicly post all procurement documents online, including competitive bidding records, waiver notices, and supporting materials. It mandates that these records cannot be deleted or destroyed except as legally required. The bill also directs the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to recover and publish past waiver notices and related documents that were previously unavailable. This applies directly to state agencies managing procurement and makes government purchasing processes more accessible to the public.

Maddy summaryLD 1554 requires all restaurant employees in Maine to complete state-approved sexual harassment prevention training. Restaurants must also document compliance through a required checklist. If a restaurant isn't compliant when its license expires, it gets 45 days to fix the issue. Failure to comply after this period means the state must deny the restaurant's license renewal. This law directly affects restaurants operating under Maine's licensing system and their staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 24-month pilot program to provide free early cancer screenings for Maine firefighters. It requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to offer active and retired municipal and volunteer firefighters (as defined in Maine law) a comprehensive screening package including a multi-cancer blood test, organ ultrasounds, and lung CT scans. Firefighters may opt out of screenings, and those who pay for any part of the screenings after January 1, 2025, can seek reimbursement up to $1,300. A committee will develop the program's implementation plan and report on participation, results, and costs after 12 and 24 months.

Maddy summaryLD 662 allocates $375,500 annually from the General Fund to fund military sexual trauma liaisons in Maine. The bill directly supports military personnel who have experienced sexual trauma by providing dedicated staff to assist them with resources and advocacy. It implements ongoing funding for these liaison positions, as recommended by the Governor's Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma. The funding covers both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years without new legislative requirements.