Maddy summaryThis bill creates Maine's Small Business Capital Savings Account Program, allowing eligible small businesses in farming, fishing, or forestry to earn tax deductions for contributions to special savings accounts. To qualify, businesses must be headquartered in Maine, have 99 or fewer employees, operate in one of the three specified industries, and meet federal tax classification rules. The program sets strict account rules: balances cannot exceed $250,000, funds can only cover business equipment or property purchases (capital expenditures), and all money must be withdrawn within a year if the business closes. Businesses must report withdrawals to the state for tax deduction verification, with the program capped at certifying up to 30 total businesses across the three industry categories.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new independent auditor position within Maine's Attorney General's Office to oversee the Maine Information and Analysis Center (MIAC). The auditor will monitor MIAC's operations to ensure legal compliance, protect privacy and civil liberties, and maintain public transparency. Key provisions require the auditor to publish de-identified reports online annually, including progress on oversight goals and responses to data requests, while safeguarding confidential information. The bill also clarifies that non-classified MIAC information shared with private entities is subject to Maine's public records law. This directly affects MIAC's operations and provides the public with greater visibility into its activities.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine law to include the cost of food provided or served at emergency shelters as a reimbursable expense under the state's general assistance program. Starting January 1, 2026, municipalities and Indian tribes receiving general assistance funds will be reimbursed 70% for these food costs, which were previously excluded. The change directly affects local governments and tribal entities managing emergency shelters that serve food to residents. It expands the existing reimbursement structure to cover this specific operational cost without altering the current 70% reimbursement rate or eligibility criteria.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to provide free water testing for arsenic and PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) to low-income rural households using private wells. It expands existing testing programs by adding PFAS testing through state-approved labs, funded by the department's dedicated testing account, with no fees charged to eligible residents. The bill also mandates educational outreach to inform low-income well owners about the free testing and eligibility for state grants to install water treatment systems if contaminants exceed state standards. These provisions directly affect rural low-income residents relying on private wells, aiming to improve access to safe drinking water through expanded testing and treatment support.
Maddy summaryLD 1528 creates a dedicated, interest-bearing fund within Maine's Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to support farmland conservation through public-private partnerships. The bill transfers $1 million from the state's General Fund surplus to this program by June 2026 and funds a new Resource Management Coordinator position to manage conservation efforts. This funding directly supports the Maine Working Farmland Access and Protection Program, helping farmers and landowners preserve agricultural land by providing financial resources for conservation initiatives. The account is designed to be ongoing, accepting both state appropriations and private/public contributions to sustain long-term farmland protection.
Maddy summaryLD 1140 authorizes a $45 million bond issue to fund Maine's agricultural, food, and forest products sectors. The proceeds will be allocated as follows: $35 million to the Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Investment Fund (with 2/3 supporting food/agriculture and 1/3 forest products), $5 million for the dairy sector, $2.5 million for farmer disaster relief, and $2.5 million for farmland protection through the Land for Maine's Future program. The bonds require voter approval via referendum and must be spent within 10 years, with unspent funds lapsing to retire general obligation bonds. This legislation directly affects farmers, food processors, forest product businesses, and land conservation efforts across Maine.
Maddy summaryLD 1739 authorizes a $55.6 million general fund bond issue to support Maine's agricultural sector. It allocates funds to specific programs: $25 million for the Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Investment Fund, $5 million for an agricultural buildings property tax exemption (exempting qualifying structures from property taxes for 10 years), $5 million for the Business Recovery and Resilience Fund's agricultural subaccount, and $600,000 to create a common application for financial assistance programs. The bill also directs the Department of Agriculture to study barriers to its existing programs. The bond issue requires voter approval in a statewide election, with the question asking if residents support the $55.6 million bond for Maine's agricultural sector.
Maddy summaryLD 1941 reestablishes Maine's State Parole Board, which was previously abolished, by amending statutes to create a 7-member board within the Department of Corrections. Key provisions require the board to include at least one formerly incarcerated person, a mental health professional, an attorney, and someone with expertise in treating sexual violence offenses, while also mandating that the board's racial and gender composition reflect the demographics of individuals in state correctional facilities. The bill also requires the board to provide annual training on parole evaluation best practices and mandates the Department of Corrections to submit an annual report starting in 2026, including data on implementing the new parole system. This legislation directly affects individuals in state correctional facilities who may seek parole under the reestablished system.
Maddy summaryLD 876 establishes ongoing funding of $700,000 annually to support 20 participants in the Maine Service Fellows Program, which connects volunteers with community service opportunities. The bill requires the Maine Commission for Community Service to collaborate with the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management to create a list of trained volunteers - including program participants and veterans - for emergency response during declared states of emergency. This list will be coordinated with the Maine Emergency Management Agency to support rapid deployment of trained individuals. The program must also submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature by January 31 each year.
Maddy summaryLD 468 allocates $1.2 million annually from the General Fund to establish a matching fund for nutrition incentives, directly supporting Maine residents facing food insecurity. The bill creates the "Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives" to match private and public contributions, expanding access to locally produced food. Key provisions include mandatory annual funding of $1.2 million per fiscal year (2025-26 and 2026-27) and requiring the fund to leverage additional contributions. This mechanism aims to increase participation in programs that help low-income residents purchase fresh, locally grown food through existing incentive systems.