Rep. Kilton Webb

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits large grocery store chains (with 15+ national locations) from changing prices more than once every 48 hours during severe weather, natural disasters, or supply chain disruptions using electronic shelf labels. It allows dynamic pricing at other times if stores provide clear, visible signage explaining how the pricing works, what factors affect prices, and that repeated changes during emergencies are unfair. Violating this rule would be classified as an unfair trade practice under Maine's consumer protection law. The bill directly affects major grocery chains using digital pricing systems, not small stores or convenience stores within grocery locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires competitive electricity providers in Maine to share with the Public Advocate all reports and information they already submit to the Public Utilities Commission. It directly affects competitive electricity providers by mandating transparency about their rates and business practices. The key mechanism is requiring providers to give the Public Advocate copies of existing commission filings (unless waived in writing), enabling the Public Advocate to review rate reasonableness and service adequacy. The legislation aims to help the Public Advocate assess whether providers disproportionately burden low-income households with unaffordable prices, as noted in the emergency preamble. The Public Advocate must submit a report to the Energy Committee by December 3, 2025, based on this information.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1387) allows active-duty military medical personnel to become licensed as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers in Maine. It directs the Department of Public Safety to create rules enabling veterans who served in military medical corps to meet Maine's licensing requirements for EMS roles. The department must submit a report on these procedures to the Criminal Justice Committee by December 3, 2025. The change directly affects military medical personnel seeking to work in Maine's EMS field.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's Office of the Public Advocate to implement the state's existing Climate Action Plan. It directly affects the Public Advocate's office by adding this responsibility to its duties under state law. The key provision amends statute 35-A MRSA §1702 to explicitly state that the Public Advocate must implement the Climate Action Plan. The bill does not create new climate policies but assigns implementation oversight to an existing state office. This is a procedural change directing the Public Advocate to carry out the state's current climate strategy.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Maine public utilities from requiring new residential customers to pay an upfront deposit solely based on their income level. It specifically bans deposits for applicants who haven't used the utility's service within the past 30 days, defining such applicants as "new" customers. Utilities may still require deposits if they can prove a customer is a credit risk or likely to damage property, but must provide that proof upon request. The Public Utilities Commission must create implementing rules by October 1, 2025. The law directly affects low- and middle-income households applying for new utility service.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets a new state target requiring at least 300 megawatts of long-duration battery storage capacity in Maine by December 31, 2035. Long-duration storage is defined as systems using commercially available technology capable of storing energy for eight hours or more. The Governor's Energy Office must reevaluate and potentially increase this goal every two years starting in 2024, reporting updates to the legislature. This policy directly affects energy storage developers, utilities, and infrastructure projects working to meet these targets within Maine.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a fire suppressant containing fluorinated chemicals that contaminate water, on property owned or leased by the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (which manages the former Brunswick Naval Air Station) starting January 1, 2026. The ban applies to discharge, testing, storage, or use of AFFF, except during cleanup or remediation efforts. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection will enforce this prohibition. The law directly affects the authority managing the former naval air station site, aiming to prevent further environmental contamination.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to create a pilot program for electronically tagging deer that hunters have harvested. It would affect hunters in designated areas who must use electronic tags instead of traditional paper tags at specified registration stations. The department can set rules for the program's duration, location, and requirements, then must report findings to the wildlife committee by December 3, 2025. The committee may propose new legislation based on the pilot's results.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits eating establishments and grocery stores in Maine from using dynamic pricing, which changes prices based on demand, weather, consumer data, or AI algorithms. It requires fixed prices for at least one business day, visible to customers through menus, price tags, or displays. Excluded from the ban are standard discounts, limited-time specials (like lunch menus), and market-based pricing for traditionally volatile goods such as seafood (set only once daily). Violating this rule is classified as an unfair trade practice under Maine law.

Maddy summaryLD 650 updates Maine law governing local health boards in municipalities. It requires boards to have 3-7 members, including at least one physician (if available) and one woman, with efforts to maximize gender and cultural diversity. The bill clarifies that boards serve as an advisory body to the local health officer, can propose health-related ordinances, collaborate with community groups, and request outside funding subject to municipal financial rules. This directly affects all Maine towns and cities with local health boards by changing their structure and operational authority.