Rep. Alicia Collins

Maddy summaryLD 187 prohibits labor organizations in Maine from charging nonmember employees a service fee for representation. It directly affects non-union employees who are covered by a union bargaining agent but choose not to join the union. The bill amends multiple sections of Maine law (26 MRSA §600-C, §963, §979-B, §1023, and §1283) to remove the existing exception that allowed such fees. This change eliminates the requirement for nonmembers to pay any share of costs related to the union's representational activities. The law takes effect upon passage, ensuring nonmembers cannot be compelled to pay these fees.

Maddy summaryLD 833 amends Maine's earned paid leave law to create a new exemption for employers who provide 80 or more hours of paid leave annually. This change directly affects employers in Maine who already offer substantial paid leave, exempting them from the state's earned paid leave requirements. The key mechanism adds a specific exception to the law, removing the obligation for these employers to comply with earned paid leave rules. The bill does not alter employee benefits but adjusts employer obligations under current paid leave regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maine's SNAP program by requiring households receiving benefits to spend at least 10% of each monthly benefit within a 50-mile radius of their home address. It also mandates that SNAP-authorized retailers source at least 10% of their perishable food inventory (including fresh produce, dairy, meats, and bakery items) from within Maine. These requirements supplement existing federal SNAP rules and apply to both beneficiaries and participating retailers. The bill directs the state department to create implementing rules, which will be classified as routine technical rules under Maine law.

Maddy summaryLD 603 exempts maple sugarhouses - buildings primarily used to process or store maple sap or syrup - from Maine's Uniform Building and Energy Code requirements. This bill directly affects maple syrup producers and operations across Maine by removing certain building and energy code compliance burdens for these specific facilities. It amends Maine law to add maple sugarhouses explicitly to the list of agricultural buildings already exempt from the code, alongside livestock barns and crop storage. The change clarifies existing exemptions without altering the code's requirements for other buildings.

Maddy summaryLD 1155 requires each Maine county to appoint two county employees and one sheriff's department employee as "dedimus justices" to administer oaths for civil officers. This directly affects county governments (through the two appointees) and county sheriffs (through the one appointee). The bill mandates the Secretary of State maintain a public online roster of all appointed dedimus justices, updated annually with verification of their continued eligibility. If an appointee cannot be verified for two consecutive years, their name is removed from the roster. The law modifies existing appointment rules without changing the core duties of the position.

Maddy summaryLD 1110 requires money transmission services (like remittance providers) to collect a $5 fee for each transfer up to $500, plus 3% for amounts over $500, from the sender. Providers must remit these fees quarterly to the state administrator, who then deposits them into the General Fund. Senders can claim a state income tax credit equal to the fee amount when filing their state tax return, provided they include a valid Social Security or Tax ID number. This directly affects individuals sending money through licensed providers, making the fee effectively refundable via tax credit. The bill also includes enforcement provisions allowing license suspension for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryLD 735 protects Sears Island's coastal sand dunes by requiring state agencies to obtain certification from an indigenous lands protection committee before authorizing any development on the island. This committee, composed of representatives from five Maine tribes and a gubernatorial appointee, must confirm proposed development areas do not contain sacred indigenous sites. The bill repeals prior laws permitting a wind terminal project and a conservation plan for a specific 10-acre parcel, and establishes a two-thirds vote requirement for any land development legislation conflicting with EPA regulations, with sponsorship limited to legislators from the affected district.

Maddy summaryLD 69 repeals Maine's existing law that restricted the use of recycled paper bags, reusable plastic bags, and single-use carry-out bags. This bill directly affects retailers and consumers by removing legal barriers to selling and using these bag types. The key mechanism is the repeal of Section 38 MRSA §1611, which previously limited bag availability. The policy change allows businesses to resume offering these bag options without regulatory constraints.

Maddy summaryLD 963 requires the Maine State Housing Authority to create a standard application form for subsidized housing by December 1, 2025. This bill directly affects municipal housing authorities and their contractors who administer subsidized housing programs, mandating they use this uniform form for all applications. The key provision establishes a single, consistent application process statewide, reducing confusion for applicants and streamlining administrative work for housing providers. This change aims to improve efficiency and accessibility in Maine's subsidized housing system without altering eligibility criteria or funding levels.

Maddy summaryLD 642 requires the University of Maine System to give enrolled parents or pregnant students priority in course registration to help them schedule classes around child care needs. The bill mandates that university trustees distribute informational flyers and posters about this priority to all students, with posters displayed in campus locations and on each campus website. This policy directly affects parents and pregnant individuals enrolled in the University of Maine System's colleges and universities. The law creates a concrete administrative requirement for the university system to implement and communicate this registration priority.