Rep. Steven Foster

Maddy summaryLD 1818 proposes a constitutional amendment to require voter approval for new taxes, increases to existing taxes (including income and property taxes), government spending increases exceeding inflation, and new debt. It would directly affect Maine voters and state/local governments by mandating public approval for these changes, except for spending increases that match inflation. The amendment would become part of Maine's Constitution if approved by voters in a statewide referendum. This change would alter how state and local governments fund operations and borrow money. The bill specifies that the Legislature must later create a statutory process to determine what constitutes "inflation" for spending increases.

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 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.

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 635 is a resolution directing Maine's Attorney General to dismiss the state's lawsuit against major oil companies (State of Maine v. BP, PLC et al, Case No. 2:2025cv00001-NT) currently pending in federal court. This would end the state's legal action regarding climate change-related claims against oil companies. The bill specifically requires withdrawal from this existing case and does not create new environmental policies or regulations.

Maddy summaryLD 928 ensures continued public access to town roads that have been declared abandoned but retained as public easements. If a town way has been kept as a public easement for 15 years or more, municipalities, counties, or nearby property owners cannot gate, bar, or block it. For easements retained for less than 15 years, the town or abutters may remove obstructions only with written permission from local officials. The bill directly affects towns, county officials, and property owners near these abandoned town ways by clarifying access rules.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires operators of solar and wind energy projects in Maine to test for PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination at their sites before construction, after one year of operation, and every five years thereafter. If testing finds PFAS contamination and the Department of Environmental Protection determines it was caused by the project, the site loses eligibility for Maine's renewable energy programs and net energy billing. The testing rules, set by the Department of Environmental Protection, include third-party analysis of contamination sources and require operators to submit results and documentation. This directly affects solar and wind developers in Maine who must comply with testing and face program eligibility consequences if PFAS contamination is linked to their operations.

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.