Rep. Cheryl Golek

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Baxter State Park Authority to convey a 228-acre parcel known as the Austin Cary Lot in Harpswell (Cumberland County) to another entity. The conveyance requires the new owner to uphold perpetual deed restrictions: the land must be used for sustainable forestry, wildlife management, or related educational/scientific purposes, with compatible public recreation. Proceeds from the sale must be used exclusively to purchase similar land in Cumberland County for the same purposes. The bill addresses management challenges due to the parcel's remote location (over 220 miles from Baxter State Park headquarters) while maintaining the land's conservation purpose.

Maddy summaryLD 1036 amends Maine's housing discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "status as a recipient of federal, state or local public assistance," including housing subsidies and medical assistance. The bill directly affects housing providers (landlords, managers, agents) and public assistance recipients by making it unlawful to refuse housing, make discriminatory inquiries, or advertise based on this status. Key provisions ban actions like denying rentals, setting different terms, or evicting tenants solely because of public assistance status, adding it to existing protected categories like race and disability. This creates concrete legal protections for individuals relying on public assistance to secure housing.

Maddy summaryLD 1612 requires Maine's Department of Transportation to issue requests for proposals within 180 days for unused state-owned railroad lines (infrastructure not currently used for freight or passenger rail). The department must evaluate proposals based on economic benefits, environmental compatibility, and proposer qualifications, allowing uses like railbike tours or commercial activities while preserving rights-of-way for future rail service. Proposals must comply with environmental and safety rules, and the department must report results to the Legislature within 90 days. This process directly affects the DOT and potential developers seeking to repurpose underutilized rail corridors.

Maddy summaryLD 946 requires the Efficiency Maine Trust to amend its rules so that half of all annual electric vehicle rebates and half of all residential energy efficiency funding (including for heat pumps and appliances) must be distributed to low- and moderate-income Maine residents. This policy change directly affects low- and moderate-income homeowners seeking cost-saving energy upgrades or EV incentives. The key mechanism mandates a 50% allocation target for these specific programs, ensuring greater access to savings for income-eligible households. The resolve does not create new programs but modifies existing distribution rules under the Efficiency Maine Trust's authority.

Maddy summaryLD 1341 is a resolution directing Maine's Department of Marine Resources to evaluate how two licensed lobster or scallop fishermen can operate from a single vessel without increasing the total catch. The department must consult with lobster advisory councils and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission during its review. It must submit a report to the Marine Resources Committee by January 14, 2026, which may include recommendations for new legislation. This resolution does not change current fishing rules but initiates a process to potentially adjust them based on the findings.

Maddy summaryLD 968 is a procedural resolution directing Maine's Department of Marine Resources to study how much input from fishing industry stakeholders currently influences the appointment of the Commissioner of Marine Resources, and how that input could be expanded. The department must consult specific fishery groups - including lobster, clam, scallop, and aquaculture sectors - as well as gill net and dragging fishermen and a fisheries union member. The department must submit a report by December 3, 2025, to the Marine Resources Committee, which may propose new legislation based on the findings. This resolution does not change current appointment procedures but seeks to assess potential improvements to stakeholder involvement.

Maddy summaryLD 1552 prohibits landlords in Maine from using artificial intelligence or algorithmic devices to set or adjust rent for residential properties, including during lease renewals. This applies to any person responsible for determining rent amounts, directly affecting landlords and property managers across the state. The law defines "algorithmic device" as tools analyzing rent data to advise landlords, and "artificial intelligence" as systems that generate rent recommendations. Violating this ban would be treated as an unfair trade practice under Maine law. The bill aims to prevent automated rent-setting systems from influencing tenant costs.

Maddy summaryLD 1410 requires Maine state, county, and local government agencies to follow due process before confiscating or destroying personal items belonging to unhoused individuals. It mandates a 7-day written notice, a formal hearing opportunity (modeled on administrative hearings), and 90 days of secure storage with retrieval instructions if the person doesn't attend the hearing. Exceptions allow immediate action only if property is abandoned, poses an immediate health/safety threat, or is evidence of a crime. The bill also provides legal remedies, including up to $2,000 per item in damages and attorney fees, for violations.

Maddy summaryHP 1329 is a joint resolution expressing the Maine Legislature's opposition to the U.S. Coast Guard's plan to remove navigational buoys along Maine's coast. It directly affects Maine's commercial fishing communities and recreational boaters (like kayakers and anglers), who rely on physical buoys for safe navigation in rocky, fog-prone waters where electronic systems may fail or be inaccessible. The resolution cites the Coast Guard's modernization plan but emphasizes that removing buoys would create safety hazards, especially for those without reliable electronic alternatives. It formally states the legislature's position against the proposed removal during the 132nd Legislature's first special session.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new $50 "green crab only" wholesale dealer license for businesses that exclusively handle green crabs (Carcinus maenas). It allows license holders to buy, sell, process, ship, or transport green crabs directly from licensed harvesters in Maine, offering a lower-cost alternative to the existing $192.75 wholesale seafood license. The license requires dealers to verify harvesters have valid green crab harvesting permits and subjects violators to penalties or license suspension. The law includes a sunset provision, repealing the license on January 1, 2031, and mandates a department review and report to the 2030 Legislature on its effectiveness and potential changes.