Rep. Jim Dill

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone operating a recreational watercraft in Maine to ensure all passengers under 13 wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets while on board, whether the vessel is moving or not. It directly affects boat operators, parents, and guardians of children under 13 during recreational water activities. Exceptions apply to youth camp-owned canoes and log rafts under specific conditions. Violations start as civil violations, but repeated offenses within five years may escalate to a Class E crime. The law aims to improve water safety for young passengers without altering existing recreational boating rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a certification program for non-veterinarian individuals to administer rabies vaccines to cats and dogs. It requires the state to develop a training program covering proper vaccine storage, administration, certificate issuance, and owner education. The law now allows rabies vaccinations to be performed by certified vaccinators, in addition to licensed veterinarians or those under their supervision. It also mandates that vaccination certificates be reported to state and local authorities and requires at least one low-cost rabies clinic per county annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Maine's funding for special education costs in public schools. Starting in fiscal year 2026-27, the state must cover 100% of the minimum required funding for all school administrative units (districts), up from current rates of 45% in 2019-20 and 50% in subsequent years before 2026-27. It directly affects all public school districts across Maine by guaranteeing full state reimbursement for mandated special education services under the existing funding formula. The change is phased in gradually, with the 100% requirement taking effect in 2026-27.

Maddy summaryLD 1709 lowers Maine's age requirement for vehicles to qualify as "antique automobiles" from 35 to 25 years old, making it easier for owners of older cars and trucks to register them as antiques. It also requires antique auto owners to provide proof of registration and insurance for their primary vehicle (used for daily transportation of people or goods) and maintain that coverage throughout the antique auto's registration period. Owners cannot operate an antique auto if their primary vehicle lacks valid registration and insurance, and violations may result in a $2,500 civil fine or immediate revocation of the antique auto's registration. This bill directly affects Maine residents who own or wish to register classic cars or trucks as antique vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative joint resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Mayaguez incident (May 12-15, 1975), recognized as the last U.S. combat mission in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. It honors the 18 U.S. service members who died and 50 wounded during the rescue operation involving the seized SS Mayaguez cargo ship and Marines on Koh Tang Island. The resolution specifically acknowledges Maine’s connection, noting 48,000 Mainers served in Vietnam, 343 are memorialized at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and 11 remain missing. It expresses gratitude for all Maine veterans’ service and sacrifice during the conflict, with no policy or financial provisions.

Maddy summaryLD 433 clarifies Maine's requirements for school bus driver licenses. It states that drivers must meet federal safety regulations only if no waiver exists, and specifies that the required vehicle operation exam does not cover combination vehicles (like truck tractors with semitrailers). The bill directs Maine's Secretary of State to seek federal waivers for two specific testing components: the "under-the-hood" pre-trip inspection and the requirement to use a federal examiner manual. The Secretary must report progress on these waivers to the Transportation Committee by December 3, 2025. This bill affects all individuals seeking or renewing school bus driver endorsements in Maine.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a $250 annual surcharge on owners of electric vehicles (defined as fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles) in Maine. The fee must be paid yearly (or in two installments) when registering the vehicle. All collected funds are directed to the Highway Fund, which supports road maintenance and infrastructure projects. This requirement applies specifically to electric vehicle owners and does not affect other vehicle types.

Maddy summaryLD 404 protects the privacy of Maine lottery winners who claim prizes of $500,000 or more by keeping their identities confidential unless they provide written authorization to the lottery bureau. The lottery bureau may share a winner's name with other state agencies only for specific legal purposes under Maine law, and those agencies cannot share the name further. This confidentiality means the winner's identity is not treated as a public record under state law. The bill directly affects high-award lottery winners and sets clear limits on how their personal information can be disclosed.

Maddy summaryLD 776 would require special purpose private schools in Maine that receive publicly funded students (i.e., students whose education is paid for by public school systems) and enroll at least 60% publicly funded students (based on the previous year's average enrollment) to provide free school lunches to all students. These schools must also participate in the federal National School Lunch Program. The state would cover the cost difference between federal reimbursement for free meals and the actual meal cost for every student, ensuring no student pays for lunch at qualifying schools. This applies only to private schools meeting the enrollment and program participation criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the Maine Forest Service for its 2024 out-of-state mobilizations. It acknowledges that the service sent personnel and equipment to 25 incidents across nine states (including Hurricane Helene in North Carolina) through mutual aid agreements, involving 43 staff members. The resolution expresses legislative appreciation for their work but does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes.