Rep. Tavis Hasenfus

Maddy summaryLD 1779 reclassifies the possession of under 2 grams of specific drugs - including heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and fentanyl - from a Class C crime to a Class D crime. It directly affects individuals caught with these drugs in the specified small quantities (above 200 milligrams for some drugs). The key provision adjusts the quantity threshold in Maine's criminal code, lowering penalties for small-scale possession. This amendment updates the legal classification without changing the underlying prohibition.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a legislative bill with policy changes. Maine's 132nd Legislature passed HP 1242 to formally honor Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025. The resolution commemorates his life, papacy, and legacy of service to the marginalized, citing his teachings and writings. It has no direct effect on policy, funding, or specific groups, as it is purely symbolic.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a 10% supplemental payment to MaineCare reimbursement rates for adult family care homes and residential care facilities with fewer than 10 beds or located at least 35 miles from the nearest similar facility. It directly affects small, rural, isolated, and island-based care facilities that struggle with financial sustainability. The key mechanism requires the Department of Health and Human Services to amend MaineCare rules by January 1, 2026, to add this 10% payment to eligible facilities' existing rates. The bill also mandates that the department assess how reimbursement and staffing rules impact these vulnerable facilities to protect community access and service quality.

Maddy summaryLD 1125 requires Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to assess the financial impact on community action agencies (CAAs) before signing contracts for nonemergency transportation services covered by MaineCare. Specifically, the department must consider how new contracts might affect existing programs run by CAAs, which provide essential services like transportation for low-income residents. The bill applies only to contracts for nonemergency medical or social services transportation under MaineCare. This change ensures CAAs' existing programs are not inadvertently harmed by new transportation contracts. The requirement applies to all such contracts entered into after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two pilot programs to support rural childcare access in Maine. It directs the Department of Education to develop a tuition assistance program (by July 2026) for students pursuing early childhood education degrees, requiring applicants to live in counties under 100,000 population, be ineligible for free community college, and apply for federal aid. Simultaneously, it directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a grant program (by July 2026) providing funding to licensed rural child care providers in counties under 100,000 to open or expand services. The bill allocates $600,000 total ($300,000 for each program) as one-time funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryLD 591 establishes a 10-member commission to study MaineCare estate recovery procedures, which involve recovering costs of long-term care from a deceased MaineCare recipient's estate. The commission includes four Senate appointees (two lawmakers, an elderly rights advocate, and a long-term care attorney), four House appointees (two lawmakers, a person with estate recovery experience, and a disability rights advocate), plus the Health and Human Services Commissioner and long-term care ombudsman. It will review the history of Maine’s current system, examine other states’ models, and identify potential Medicaid waivers or best practices, with recommendations due by December 3, 2025. The study aims to inform future legislative changes to MaineCare’s estate recovery process, which directly affects elderly and disabled Mainers who use long-term care services.

Maddy summaryLD 632 allows Maine municipalities to impose a 2% local sales tax on short-term lodging (such as hotels, vacation rentals, and tourist camps) if approved by a voter referendum. The tax revenue must fund affordable housing programs within the municipality, including construction, renovation, and rental assistance for lower and moderate income households. Specifically, 15% of the collected revenue goes to the Maine State Housing Authority for rural housing initiatives, while the remaining funds return to the municipality for local housing projects. The tax requires voter approval (a majority of votes cast with at least 20% turnout from the last gubernatorial election) and cannot take effect before January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySP 319 is a Maine legislative resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, which were pivotal in advancing voting rights and led to the passage of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. The resolution honors the civil rights activists - including those from Maine - who participated in the nonviolent marches and the broader struggle for equality and voting access. It serves as a symbolic commemoration, not a policy change, expressing the legislature's acknowledgment of this historic civil rights milestone.

Maddy summaryLD 216 changes the statutory adjournment date for Maine's second regular legislative session from the third Wednesday preceding Patriot's Day (the third Monday in April) to the Wednesday immediately before Patriot's Day. This shortens the session by approximately two weeks, requiring lawmakers to complete business earlier. The bill directly affects the Maine Legislature's schedule, specifically the timing for the second regular session. It is a procedural adjustment to the legislative calendar, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryLD 43 amends Maine law to expand when probation can be revoked for violating contact orders with victims. Currently, probation can be revoked only for contacting a victim from the *same* crime. This bill adds that probation can also be revoked if someone contacts a victim from *another crime* where contact was prohibited - whether the related sentences run concurrently or consecutively. It directly affects individuals on probation who violate contact conditions with victims from multiple cases. The change ensures courts can revoke probation for such violations, strengthening protections for all affected victims.