Rep. Allison Hepler

Maddy summaryLD 1494 directs Maine's Office of Procurement Services to study how the state's purchasing process can better align with the State Climate Action Plan. The office must survey the past three years of procurement requests to assess how often climate impacts were considered, how much agencies already incorporated climate goals, and missed opportunities for emissions reductions. It will also identify potential challenges in adapting procurement practices. The office must submit findings and recommendations - including possible law changes - to the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government by December 3, 2025. This is a procedural study, not an immediate policy change.

Maddy summaryLD 1697 increases penalties for improper pesticide use in Maine. It raises the maximum civil fine from $1,500 to $25,000 for most violations, and to $50,000 if a violator substantially benefited (evidence of single-person benefit becomes prima facie proof of responsibility). Repeat violations within four years face higher fines: up to $75,000 for standard cases and $150,000 for substantial-benefit cases. The bill also raises fines for private applicators (who maintain records) from $500 to $1,000 per violation, with repeat offenses up to $2,000. Finally, it requires the Board of Pesticides Control to create rules for penalty transparency, multi-property lawsuits from pesticide migration, and property restoration as part of penalties.

Maddy summaryLD 1296 amends Maine law to clarify how watercraft franchisors must reimburse franchisees for warranty repairs. It requires franchisors to pay franchisees the full retail price for parts used in repairs (capped at 100% of the labor cost for that repair) or the difference between the franchisee's cost and retail price if the franchisor provides the part. For labor, franchisors must reimburse franchisees at their standard retail rate for non-warranty work, provided the work is reasonable and documented. This directly affects watercraft dealers (franchisees) and manufacturers (franchisors) by setting clear reimbursement standards for warranty service.

Maddy summaryLD 1248 clarifies that schools may temporarily hold a student's hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back to guide them safely without requiring the student's voluntary consent (redefining "physical escort"). It also changes the standard for using physical restraint or seclusion, requiring only that a student's behavior poses an "imminent danger of injury" (not necessarily "serious physical injury") to justify such measures. The bill mandates that restraint or seclusion must end immediately when the danger ceases and that the least force necessary is used. These changes directly affect Maine public schools, staff, and students by altering when and how physical interventions can be used. The law also adds requirements for schools to track and report injuries related to restraint and seclusion.

Maddy summaryLD 1708 creates the Commercial Fishing Safety Fund within Maine's Department of Marine Resources. The fund will support safety training for commercial fishermen and provide equipment for search and rescue operations, including recovering vessels and people in distress at sea. Funding can come from donations, and unspent money will carry over to the next fiscal year without lapsing. The department must consult the Commercial Fishing Safety Council before using fund resources for safety or recovery activities.

Maddy summaryLD 44 amends Maine's elver fishing laws to affect licensed harvesters. It changes license suspension for violations from permanent for a first offense to three years, with permanent suspension for a second offense. The bill also moves the license lottery date from February 15 to March 15 and prohibits possessing elvers longer than six hours or in residential dwellings, with violations classified as Class E crimes. These changes aim to regulate the elver fishery seasonally and manage enforcement.

Maddy summaryLD 1782 requires state-owned landfills, like the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town, to charge a $5.00 per ton base fee on waste disposal. Fifty percent of the fee revenue must go to the host municipality (Old Town) to offset costs, and 50% to the local school district to reduce property tax impacts. The bill also mandates free household waste disposal for residents of host communities and imposes a surcharge on municipalities not meeting state recycling goals. It further requires the state to develop a comprehensive waste management plan for state landfills through consultation with affected municipalities and waste operators. The law directly affects Old Town (as the host community), residents of Old Town, the local school district, and all municipalities sending waste to state landfills.

Maddy summaryThis resolve directs Maine's Department of Marine Resources to study what percentage of lobster traps a licensed fisher may deploy in a "secondary zone" (a zone on their license where they plan to fish some, but not most, traps). The department must gather input from lobster management councils and develop recommendations by December 3, 2025. It will then submit a report to the Marine Resources committee, which may propose new legislation based on the findings. This is a procedural step to inform future regulations, not a current law affecting fishing practices.

Maddy summaryLD 623 updates Maine law to expand support services for individuals with acquired brain injuries, specifically targeting underserved groups including veterans, domestic violence survivors, people experiencing homelessness, those ineligible for MaineCare, and individuals with brain injuries from opioid overdoses. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with Maine-based brain injury organizations or their state affiliates - directed by affected families, caregivers, and individuals - to provide "core brain injury support." Key new provisions include access to an online screening and support system, a joint state-national helpline, and collaboration on federal grants. This policy change directly affects vulnerable brain injury patients by improving access to coordinated, community-based resources through state partnerships.

Maddy summaryLD 971 repeals a requirement that baitfish trappers in Maine must check their traps at least once every seven days in inland waters. This directly affects commercial and recreational fishers who use baitfish traps for harvesting bait. The key provision removed was the mandatory 7-day inspection rule, which had been part of Maine's fishing regulations. If enacted, this repeal would eliminate that specific obligation for trappers.