Rep. Ben Hymes

Maddy summaryLD 807 limits eligible disabled veterans to three free vehicle registrations annually, replacing an unlimited exemption. It directly affects veterans who receive 100% service-connected disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill requires municipalities to report lost excise tax revenue to the Secretary of State, mandating the state to fully reimburse them annually based on that report. This changes the prior policy by capping the number of exempt vehicles at three and ensuring municipalities are compensated for tax revenue loss.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Maine National Guard from being deployed for combat in a foreign country without a formal declaration of war by the U.S. Congress or a specific constitutional authorization under Article I, Section 8, Clause 15 of the U.S. Constitution. It defines "active duty combat" to include participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous duties in a foreign conflict, or using weapons of war. The bill does not restrict the Governor from deploying the Guard for domestic civil missions, such as disaster response or emergencies within the U.S., which remains permitted under federal law (32 U.S.C. §103). The law requires the Governor to ensure compliance with this prohibition for any overseas combat deployment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1092) prevents wineries or small wineries in Maine from obtaining a direct wine shipper license if they have existing agreements with wholesale wine distributors under state law. It directly affects wineries that currently work with wholesalers, requiring them to choose between wholesale distribution agreements or direct shipping to consumers. The key provision amends Maine’s licensing rules to block direct shipper licenses for wineries with such wholesale agreements, reinforcing existing restrictions on dual distribution. The bill does not change current wholesale distribution rules but clarifies licensing eligibility to prevent violations.

Maddy summaryLD 303 would repeal Maine's law prohibiting unauthorized paramilitary training. This repeal removes the existing legal restriction, meaning conducting such training without authorization would no longer be prohibited under this specific statute. The bill does not alter other laws that may regulate paramilitary activities. As a result, individuals and groups engaging in paramilitary training would no longer be subject to this particular prohibition.

Maddy summaryLD 1173 establishes a study group to review Maine's current laws on adult guardianship and parental rights for parents of disabled adults (18+). The 8-member group - appointed from the Legislature, disability rights organizations, and the Attorney General's office - will examine existing guardianship alternatives and parental rights protections for adults with disabilities that impair their physical health, safety, or self-care. The group must submit findings and recommendations, including potential legislation, by December 3, 2025, to the Health and Human Services and Judiciary committees. This procedural resolution does not change laws but sets the stage for future legislative review.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands property tax relief in Maine for veterans and their survivors by increasing exemption amounts and adding new categories of eligible individuals. It raises the standard property tax exemption for veterans aged 62 or older to $6,000 and creates a new exemption tier for veterans with service-connected disabilities of 60% or more, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 based on their disability rating. Additionally, the legislation increases the property tax exemption for specially adapted housing units for veterans to $50,000 and repeals an outdated provision. These changes apply to property held in the veteran's name, including assets held in joint tenancy with a spouse or within a revocable living trust.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Governor's Energy Office to conduct an emergency study on the future of electric transmission infrastructure in Maine. The study must examine current permitting processes, best practices from other states, future energy needs, available land rights, and various transmission technologies including underground lines. To gather input, the office is required to coordinate with multiple state agencies and hold a meeting with a diverse stakeholder group representing utilities, environmental departments, private landowners, and engineers. The legislation is designated as an emergency measure, meaning it takes effect immediately rather than waiting the standard 90-day period after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Maine Department of Education to submit a report by January 15, 2025, on best practices for school internet and student data collection. The report must evaluate whether schools are using proper filtering software and ensure that student information is not shared with external search engines or tracking applications. To support this effort, the bill allocates $5,000 in state funds for the fiscal year 2024-25 to cover the costs of preparing the report.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a previous proposal to change its focus from immediately restoring firearm rights to first creating a plan for doing so. It directs the Commissioner of Public Safety to form a stakeholder group, including legal and safety experts, to design a petition process for people currently prohibited from owning guns. The group must submit a report by January 30, 2025, outlining the proposed process and any recommended laws needed to implement it. Ultimately, the bill does not restore rights itself but sets up a committee to develop the framework for future legislation.

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.