Rep. Shelley Rudnicki

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public schools receiving state funding in Maine from allowing students assigned male at birth to participate in athletic programs designated exclusively for females. It directly affects all Maine public schools, including elementary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions, that receive state funds. The key provision requires schools to exclude individuals whose biological sex was assigned male at birth from female-designated sports teams and activities. The law applies regardless of gender identity or current gender expression.

Maddy summaryThis bill reverses recent changes to Maine's net energy billing and distributed generation laws. It restores provisions allowing residential and commercial solar customers to receive credits for excess energy sent to the grid ("net energy billing") and clarifies definitions for "distributed generation" (e.g., systems 1-2 MW) and "energy storage systems." The bill sets new state goals for energy storage capacity (300 MW by 2025, 400 MW by 2030) and modifies interconnection rules to prioritize solar and storage projects. It directly affects solar energy customers, utilities, and developers of small-scale renewable projects.

Maddy summaryLD 1232 requires radon testing and mitigation permits for new commercial construction, residential construction, and major commercial renovations needing a building permit. It mandates that registered professionals test for radon gas before construction begins, and if elevated levels are found, registered specialists must install mitigation systems. Homeowners acting as their own general contractor who provide over 50% of the framing and finishing labor are exempt, as are residential projects in municipalities without a building code. Violations incur penalties of $1,000 for commercial projects and $500 for residential projects, payable to Maine's Department of Health and Human Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1062) would change Maine law to require private firearm sales to occur through a federally licensed dealer, who would then conduct a background check using the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. It directly affects private sellers and buyers of firearms in Maine by replacing current requirements for sellers to perform checks themselves. The key mechanism shifts the background check responsibility to licensed dealers, who must complete the check as if they were the seller and may charge a reasonable fee. This preserves background checks for private transactions but removes the obligation from individual sellers. The bill does not eliminate background checks but restructures how they are administered.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Maine law requiring individuals carrying concealed handguns without permits to inform police officers during traffic stops, arrests, or detentions. It eliminates both the requirement to disclose the concealed weapon and the penalty for failing to do so. The change directly affects people legally carrying concealed firearms without permits who interact with law enforcement. The bill removes a specific notification obligation from Maine's statutes without altering concealed carry permit requirements or other firearm laws.

Maddy summaryLD 1330 clarifies that business software licenses and subscriptions are not considered "leases" for Maine's sales and use tax purposes. The bill amends Maine's tax code (36 MRSA §1752) to explicitly exclude business software access fees from the definition of "lease or rental." This change applies only to transactions entered into or renewed after the law takes effect, directly affecting businesses that pay for software access rather than purchasing it outright. The policy change simplifies tax treatment for these business software agreements, ensuring they are not subject to lease-based taxation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new apprentice insurance producer license in Maine, creating a structured pathway for individuals to begin working in the insurance industry without taking a licensing exam. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or equivalent, be employed by a licensed insurance producer who will supervise them, and pay a $100 issuance fee plus a $100 biennial fee. The license allows up to 10,000 hours of supervised work under a licensed producer, after which apprentices must obtain a full insurance producer license to continue. The superintendent of insurance may limit apprentices to two per licensed producer and set additional safeguards to protect the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts qualifying Maine organizations - such as agricultural societies, nonprofits, volunteer fire departments, and their auxiliaries - from requiring registration or licensing with the Gambling Control Unit when conducting internet raffles with total prize values of $2,500 or less. It applies specifically to raffles where the combined value of all prizes (including multiple winning chances) does not exceed $2,500. The exemption does not apply to raffles targeting minors, and organizations must still comply with restrictions like prohibiting sales to under-18s and limiting simultaneous raffles to one. This change simplifies administrative requirements for small-scale fundraising by eligible groups.

Maddy summaryLD 1505 phases out Maine's sales and use tax by gradually reducing the tax rate by 0.5 percentage points every two years, starting January 1, 2026, until the rate reaches 0% for all taxable categories. It directly affects businesses selling tangible goods, digital products, and taxable services, as well as consumers purchasing these items. The bill requires the State Tax Assessor to publish updated tax rates on a public website every two years before each reduction and submit legislative proposals to adjust tax laws accordingly. This process ensures transparency and administrative updates as the tax is eliminated over time.

Maddy summaryLD 316 proposes a constitutional amendment to reduce Maine's State Senate from a maximum of 35 members to exactly 32. It requires redrawing Senate districts after the 2026 election so each county elects exactly two senators, aligning districts with county boundaries. This change would take effect on December 2, 2026, and requires voter approval through a referendum in November 2025. The amendment directly affects all Maine voters by altering how senators are elected and the structure of the Senate.