Rep. Jim Thorne

Maddy summaryLD 543 requires all Maine public and private secondary schools to teach firearm hunter safety courses by grade 9, directly affecting all students. The course covers essential topics including safe firearm handling, wildlife conservation, hunting laws, ethics, landowner relations, survival skills, and map/compass navigation. Successful completion earns a hunter safety certificate that satisfies Maine’s requirement for obtaining an adult hunting license. This policy aims to integrate conservation education into school curricula while supporting the state’s hunting traditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Maine's system for managing commercial lobster and crab fishing licenses in limited-entry zones. It requires that when a license holder leaves the system (e.g., retires or sells), a new license is issued to replace them at a strict one-to-one ratio. This directly affects commercial fishermen seeking licenses in these regulated zones by ensuring every available license is immediately offered to the next qualified applicant on the waiting list. The change modifies existing law to guarantee a predictable, equal replacement rate for license availability.

Maddy summaryLD 668, titled "An Act To Abolish Ranked-Choice Voting," would repeal Maine's existing ranked-choice voting (RCV) statutes and revert election procedures to standard plurality voting. The bill specifically removes provisions requiring RCV ballot formatting, instructions, and counting methods (such as tabulating ranked choices), mandating instead that all elections use the standard method where the candidate with the most votes wins. This change would directly affect all statewide and local elections in Maine that currently use RCV, including races for governor, U.S. Congress, and state legislature. The bill does not create new voting rules but eliminates the RCV framework from Maine law.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands free admission to Maine state parks and historic sites to include the spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children of veterans and active-duty military personnel. It requires the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to work with the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management to issue free day-use passes to these qualifying individuals and their immediate families. The legislation defines immediate family members specifically as spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children, ensuring that these groups receive the same free entry benefits as the service members themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $250,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to support the operational costs of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory. The funds are designated for research, education, and outreach related to arthropod management and Lyme disease testing. In exchange for this funding, the laboratory must submit a report on how the money is used to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry by February 1, 2024. The committee retains the option to introduce additional legislation based on the findings in that report.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays the effective date of a sales tax exemption for boats and all-terrain vehicles used in commercial fishing or farming until January 1, 2026. The legislation originally intended to remove state sales tax on these specific purchases, but this amendment postpones when that benefit begins. The change directly affects the timing of the policy rather than altering the core rules for eligible businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends an existing outdoor education program to require providers to follow state licensing rules for guides and trip leaders. Specifically, it mandates that anyone leading outdoor school activities in Maine must hold the appropriate licenses for guides, youth camp leaders, or educational trip leaders as defined by state law. The change ensures that all participants in the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program are supervised by qualified, licensed professionals.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates June 28, 2024, as Maine Acadian Day to honor the history and cultural contributions of Acadians and Franco-Americans in the state. The measure acknowledges the legacy of French settlers who established the first European community in Maine and endured the forced deportation of the Acadian people in the 18th century. By officially recognizing this date, the legislature aims to celebrate the significant role these communities play in Maine's heritage, particularly in the Saint John Valley region.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution expresses the Maine legislature's support for strengthening ties between Maine and Taiwan, highlighting their existing trade relationship and shared democratic values. The bill encourages the signing of specific agreements, such as a bilateral trade deal, an income tax agreement, and a driver's license reciprocity pact, while also promoting educational exchanges between the two regions. Additionally, it formally supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations and calls for increased people-to-people interactions. The resolution is intended to be sent to the President, state officials, and Taiwanese leaders to reaffirm the state's commitment to this partnership.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors Representative H. Sawin Millett, Jr. for his long career in public service as he retires from the Maine State Legislature. The bill recognizes his nearly 50 years of legislative work, during which he served multiple terms and held leadership roles on committees focused on finances, government oversight, and education. It also highlights his diverse background in teaching, farming, and various state administrative positions under several governors. The resolution expresses appreciation for his dedication and expertise but does not change any laws or policies.