Rep. Mana Abdi

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 summaryLD 873 expands municipal authority to revoke utility pole locations in public streets. It lowers the population threshold from 40,000 to 30,000 inhabitants for municipalities to require removal of poles deemed a public safety or welfare risk after a hearing. The bill directly affects cities with 30,000-40,000 residents that previously lacked this power. Municipal officers must grant alternative locations or shared pole access to utility owners, who must remove poles within a reasonable timeframe. This is a procedural change to existing law (35-A MRSA §2517).

Maddy summaryLD 114 amends the charter of the Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority to permit it to operate under the assumed name "Lewiston Auburn Clean Water Authority." This change affects how the authority identifies itself publicly and in official communications but does not alter its core responsibilities for managing sewage treatment, wastewater facilities, or enforcement powers. The bill does not introduce new regulations or financial obligations for the City of Lewiston, Auburn Sewerage District, or industrial users.

Maddy summaryLD 521 prohibits housing discrimination in Maine based on source of income, military status, or veteran status. It amends Maine’s housing law to explicitly protect renters and prospective tenants from discrimination related to housing vouchers, government benefits (like Social Security or child support), military service, or veteran status. Landlords, agents, and brokers are now barred from refusing to rent, charging different terms, or advertising in ways that discriminate based on these categories. The law applies to all housing accommodations and aligns with existing protections for race, gender, disability, and other categories under Maine law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine high schools to organize annual voter registration drives starting in the 2026-2027 school year, directly affecting students aged 16+ and school staff. Schools must designate a coordinator (staff or external partner) to distribute voter registration forms (both online and paper), provide eligibility information, and submit completed forms to town clerks or the Secretary of State within 5 days of the drive and no later than 21 days before election day. Activities must occur during social studies, homeroom, or assemblies, with registration materials kept accessible before and after drives. The law aims to streamline student voter registration through school-based programs while complying with state election deadlines.

Maddy summaryLD 155 requires all Maine public schools serving grades 6-12 to provide free menstrual products (tampons and pads) in every school bathroom at no cost to students. This applies to all school administrative units across the state. The bill directly affects students in middle and high schools by ensuring immediate access to essential hygiene products during school hours. It mandates that schools make these products available in all bathrooms, eliminating cost barriers for students who need them. The policy change is a straightforward requirement for school facilities, not a funding mechanism or new program.

Maddy summaryMaine's HP 499 is a symbolic joint resolution recognizing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it expresses the legislature's respect for Ramadan's significance as a time of fasting, prayer, charity, and spiritual renewal. The resolution extends well-wishes to Maine's Muslim community and others observing Ramadan, acknowledging their contributions to society and Maine's history. This procedural resolution affects no specific group through legal requirements, serving only as a ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 125th anniversary of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," a poem written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900. It formally acknowledges the poem’s historical significance as a civil rights anthem, its role in the Harlem Renaissance, and its adoption as the "Black National Anthem" during the Civil Rights Movement. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on individuals or communities - it solely serves to commemorate the poem’s legacy through legislative acknowledgment. No new laws, funding, or obligations are created by this resolution.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in Maine. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or groups through policy changes. The resolution acknowledges Maine's historical connections to the transatlantic slave trade and celebrates the contributions of African Americans throughout Maine's history. It serves as a formal legislative statement encouraging residents to learn about Black history, consistent with the national observance established by Congress in 1986. As a recognition resolution, it has no binding effect on government actions or programs.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SP 121) is a symbolic acknowledgment by the Maine Legislature of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy. It formally commemorates his birth and contributions to civil rights, justice, and nonviolent social change, without creating new laws or affecting any specific group. The resolution expresses the Legislature's recognition of Dr. King's work as a teacher, reformer, and humanitarian, aligning with the national observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding policy impact.