Rep. Jim Thorne

Maddy summaryLD 1548 requires permits for introducing live fish or fish eggs into Maine's inland waters, aiming to prevent invasive species. It mandates health certifications from approved inspectors to ensure fish are free of diseases like viral hemorrhagic septicemia, and imposes fines of $1,000-$10,000 for violations. The bill increases license suspensions for illegal transport to 10 years and requires violators to cover cleanup costs for affected waters. Local governments may obtain limited permits to stock specific ponds under strict conditions, such as using in-state sources and ensuring public access. This directly affects anglers, bait dealers, commercial fish facilities, and municipalities managing inland waters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents resulting in serious bodily injury or death to submit to a blood test for drugs (including THC) if police have probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence. It allows test results to be used in court only if a judge confirms probable cause existed independently of the test. Drivers who refuse the test face a one-year license suspension, but this penalty can be lifted if they prove they weren't under the influence or didn't negligently cause the accident. The law directly affects drivers in severe crash cases and modifies existing procedures for drug-impaired driving investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill reverses recent changes to Maine's net energy billing and distributed generation laws. It restores provisions allowing residential and commercial solar customers to receive credits for excess energy sent to the grid ("net energy billing") and clarifies definitions for "distributed generation" (e.g., systems 1-2 MW) and "energy storage systems." The bill sets new state goals for energy storage capacity (300 MW by 2025, 400 MW by 2030) and modifies interconnection rules to prioritize solar and storage projects. It directly affects solar energy customers, utilities, and developers of small-scale renewable projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1062) would change Maine law to require private firearm sales to occur through a federally licensed dealer, who would then conduct a background check using the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. It directly affects private sellers and buyers of firearms in Maine by replacing current requirements for sellers to perform checks themselves. The key mechanism shifts the background check responsibility to licensed dealers, who must complete the check as if they were the seller and may charge a reasonable fee. This preserves background checks for private transactions but removes the obligation from individual sellers. The bill does not eliminate background checks but restructures how they are administered.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Maine law requiring individuals carrying concealed handguns without permits to inform police officers during traffic stops, arrests, or detentions. It eliminates both the requirement to disclose the concealed weapon and the penalty for failing to do so. The change directly affects people legally carrying concealed firearms without permits who interact with law enforcement. The bill removes a specific notification obligation from Maine's statutes without altering concealed carry permit requirements or other firearm laws.

Maddy summaryLD 866 modifies Maine's antlerless deer permit program to provide free permits to landowners who keep their property open for public hunting. Eligible landowners who apply and are selected through a special process will not be charged for these permits, and the law requires that at least 25% of antlerless deer permits in each wildlife management district be reserved for them. If a landowner is not selected in the special process but later obtains a permit through the regular lottery, they will also receive it at no cost. This policy directly affects landowners in Maine who manage hunting access on their property.

Maddy summaryLD 1430 allows disabled veterans in Maine to receive moose hunting permits from specific eligible groups, including individual permit holders, nonprofit veteran aid organizations, their employees/volunteers, and registered Maine guides. The bill establishes a process for these groups to transfer permits to a disabled veteran who meets state eligibility requirements, either directly or by returning the permit to the state department for redistribution. Crucially, the transferor (the individual or organization giving the permit) will be eligible to apply for a new permit and restart accumulating points for the public drawing the year following the transfer. This policy change provides disabled veterans with access to moose hunting opportunities while maintaining future permit eligibility for transferors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine law to permit individuals aged 18 to 20 who are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or honorably discharged veterans to carry concealed handguns, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from owning firearms. Previously, this exception applied only to those 21 or older. The change directly affects young military service members and veterans aged 18-20 who meet the eligibility criteria. It does not alter general concealed carry rules for adults 21 and older or expand the right to non-military/ non-veteran 18-20 year olds.

Maddy summaryLD 150 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Maine's Treasurer of State is selected. Currently appointed by the Legislature, the Treasurer would instead be elected directly by voters every two years, starting in 2026, in the same statewide election as state senators and representatives. The amendment would require a statewide referendum vote to ratify, with approval needing a majority of votes cast on the question "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to provide that the Treasurer of State be elected by the people biennially..." If approved, the change would take effect after the Governor proclaims the referendum results. This directly affects the Treasurer's office and the election process for that position.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine law to clarify landowner authority regarding abandoned ladders and observation stands on private property. It specifies that landowners or their representatives may take ownership of such abandoned equipment after consulting the Bureau of Warden Service, and may remove, destroy, sell, or keep it. The law directly affects landowners, their representatives, and individuals using ladders or observation stands on private land without permission. Key provisions require clear labeling of authorized equipment and define "abandoned" as property left without the landowner's consent. The bill focuses on clarifying existing property rights rather than creating new restrictions.