Rep. Rick Mason

Maddy summaryLD 866 modifies Maine's antlerless deer permit program to provide free permits to landowners who keep their property open for public hunting. Eligible landowners who apply and are selected through a special process will not be charged for these permits, and the law requires that at least 25% of antlerless deer permits in each wildlife management district be reserved for them. If a landowner is not selected in the special process but later obtains a permit through the regular lottery, they will also receive it at no cost. This policy directly affects landowners in Maine who manage hunting access on their property.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Maine State Ferry Service to dock a vehicle-carrying ferry overnight in the towns of Swan's Island, Vinalhaven, North Haven, and Islesboro. The mandate ensures ferries are available for immediate emergency use, including medical response, fire services, law enforcement, and mass evacuation. The policy directly affects ferry operations on these islands by changing their overnight docking schedule to prioritize emergency access.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine law to clarify landowner authority regarding abandoned ladders and observation stands on private property. It specifies that landowners or their representatives may take ownership of such abandoned equipment after consulting the Bureau of Warden Service, and may remove, destroy, sell, or keep it. The law directly affects landowners, their representatives, and individuals using ladders or observation stands on private land without permission. Key provisions require clear labeling of authorized equipment and define "abandoned" as property left without the landowner's consent. The bill focuses on clarifying existing property rights rather than creating new restrictions.

Maddy summaryLD 886 regulates medication abortions in Maine by requiring in-person consultations and prescriptions from licensed health care professionals. It prohibits purchasing or obtaining medication abortion drugs online and mandates that providers explain the process, expected experiences, physical/emotional/spiritual risks, and potential reversal options to patients. The bill directly affects individuals seeking medication abortions and the health care professionals who provide them. These provisions aim to standardize access and information for medication abortions under Maine law.

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 971 repeals a requirement that baitfish trappers in Maine must check their traps at least once every seven days in inland waters. This directly affects commercial and recreational fishers who use baitfish traps for harvesting bait. The key provision removed was the mandatory 7-day inspection rule, which had been part of Maine's fishing regulations. If enacted, this repeal would eliminate that specific obligation for trappers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows food vendors with a valid health department license (e.g., from Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services) to operate inside restaurants or bars that hold a liquor license. Vendors can sell food and alcohol, but the alcohol must be supplied exclusively by the host establishment (the restaurant or bar), and all alcohol service must follow state responsible beverage training requirements. The host must keep a written schedule of vendor operations, and vendors must comply with health and safety rules while collecting and paying sales taxes on all sales. This directly affects food vendors seeking to partner with liquor-licensed venues and the venues themselves.

Maddy summaryLD 940 amends Maine law to increase the maximum total prize value for fishing derbies held on Sebago Lake (in Cumberland County) to $100,000, provided they align with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's management goals. For all other fishing derbies statewide, the maximum total prize value remains capped at $50,000. This directly affects derby organizers, particularly those planning events on Sebago Lake, by allowing higher prize pools under specific conditions. The bill does not change prize limits for derbies outside Sebago Lake.

Maddy summaryLD 173 exempts certain small watercraft from Maine's boat registration requirements. Specifically, it removes registration obligations for canoes, kayaks, and rowboats equipped with motors rated under 100 horsepower. The bill also exempts racing motorboats displaying valid numbers from recognized associations and motorboats participating in permitted events. This change directly affects owners of these specific watercraft types who previously needed to register their vessels. The policy simplifies requirements for low-power recreational watercraft without altering broader registration rules.

Maddy summaryLD 1549 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring that, starting July 1, 2027, at least 60% of sales and use tax revenue from motor vehicle dealers and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles must be dedicated to transportation infrastructure. This revenue must be spent solely on costs related to all transportation modes - including highways, bridges, transit, rail, ferries, ports, trails, pedestrian paths, and bicycle facilities - without diversion to other purposes. The amendment also designates the Legislature's transportation committee as the sole body overseeing the Highway Fund's finances. If approved by voters in a November 2025 referendum, it would become part of Maine's Constitution.