Rep. Rafael Macias

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private employers with at least 10 employees (not in seasonal industries or public employers) to pay workers for a minimum of two hours at their regular hourly rate if they report to work but the employer cancels or shortens their scheduled shift. Employers must pay the lesser of two hours’ pay or the full shift’s scheduled pay, unless they made a documented good-faith effort to notify the employee not to come. Exceptions include adverse weather, natural disasters, illness, or workplace injuries. The law does not apply to public employers or seasonal businesses as defined in Maine law.

Maddy summaryLD 1748 requires businesses planning to develop energy projects in Maine to complete a mandatory training program on state labor standards. The training, developed by the Department of Labor with energy offices, covers wage laws, safety compliance, contractor responsibilities, and enforcement procedures, and must be offered at least twice yearly both in-person and online. Developers must obtain a certificate of completion (valid for two years, costing $250-$500) that must be displayed at job sites, with failure to hold a valid certificate incurring a $1,000 minimum fine per project. Additional penalties of $2,000 per affected worker apply for labor violations without the certificate, though a reduced $500 fine may apply if the certificate is held.

Maddy summaryLD 1407 directs Maine's Board of Occupational Safety and Health to develop indoor air quality standards for buildings where public sector workers (such as teachers, government employees, and healthcare staff in public facilities) work. The bill requires the board to establish standards covering specific pollutants including carbon monoxide, mold, volatile organic compounds, and aerosols, with aerosol rules meeting or exceeding ASHRAE Standard 241 (2023). The board must publish proposed rules by February 15, 2026, under routine technical rule procedures. These standards will apply exclusively to public-sector workplaces, not private buildings.

Maddy summaryHP 1334 is a symbolic joint resolution designating June 20, 2025, as "World Refugee Day" within Maine. It directly recognizes the contributions of refugee communities across the state, acknowledging their resettlement, cultural integration, and economic impact over 45 years. The resolution formally honors refugees' resilience and their positive contributions to Maine's communities, including refugee-led organizations and refugee-owned businesses. This resolution does not create new laws or alter policies; it serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment by Maine's legislature.

Maddy summaryLD 1179 requires Maine's Commissioner of Public Safety to establish safety rules for temporary emergency shelters used during crises, such as natural disasters. The rules must cover fire safety standards, ventilation, electrical safety, emergency exits, and required equipment like smoke detectors. This directly affects temporary shelters including mobile homes, modular units, and other nonpermanent structures designed for short-term emergency housing. The Commissioner must develop these rules in consultation with the Technical Building Codes and Standards Board.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a yearly cash payment to all Maine State Ferry Service employees starting January 1, 2026. The payment equals $5.00 per hour multiplied by the employee's total hours worked in the previous year. It directly affects all ferry service staff by adding this supplemental payment to their compensation. The bill also prohibits the Department of Transportation from raising ferry tolls to fund this stipend.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SP 785) designates May 18, 2025, as "Asian American and Pacific Islander Day Against Bullying and Hate" in Maine. It honors Vincent Chin, a victim of a hate crime, and recognizes the rise in bullying and hate crimes against AAPI communities since the pandemic, including data showing 80% of AAPI youth report experiencing bullying. The resolution calls on all Mainers to denounce hate and reaffirm commitment to safety and inclusion for AAPI residents. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws but formally recognizes a day for community reflection and action.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution designating May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month in Maine. It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes the contributions and history of AANHPI communities through legislative action. The resolution highlights historical milestones, including the arrival of Japanese immigrants in 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, as context for the designation. It directly affects Maine residents by affirming state-level support for AANHPI heritage and communities.

Maddy summaryLD 702 designates January 6th each year as "A Day to Remember" in Maine, requiring the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging reflection on democracy and civic values following the January 6, 2021 Capitol events. It directs the State Archivist, with the Maine Historical Society, to collect and preserve firsthand accounts from Maine residents, the state's congressional delegation, and relevant law enforcement or historians who witnessed or responded to those events. The bill mandates creating educational materials from these accounts for schools and libraries, with all interviews and materials made publicly accessible through an online archive and physical exhibits starting in 2026. The measure focuses on documenting history and promoting civic education, not on political commentary.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official state holidays in Maine. It requires nonessential state offices to close on these days each year, with the Governor designating the specific dates annually. The bill amends Maine law to add both holidays to the official list of legal holidays, which includes dates like Christmas, Independence Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This change affects state government operations, ensuring closures on these religious observances similar to other recognized holidays.