Sen. Troy Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Maine to issue up to $3 million in bonds to fund a new dormitory facility at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. The legislation requires that the bond issue be approved by voters in a statewide referendum held in November following the bill's passage. If approved, the state treasurer will sell the bonds, and the resulting funds must be used exclusively for the construction of the dormitory. Any money remaining after the project is completed will be returned to the state treasury to pay off other general obligation bonds. The bill also includes provisions for tracking the bonds, paying interest, and setting a five-year deadline for issuing the bonds after voter approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine law to prohibit the sale and distribution of flavored vaping liquids, with the specific exception of products that have received federal clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. The legislation defines "characterizing flavors" as distinct tastes such as fruit, candy, or vanilla, while explicitly excluding tobacco and menthol flavors. Anyone found selling these restricted liquids faces civil penalties, with fines ranging from $100 for a first offense to $1,500 for repeat violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Maine to issue up to $3,000,000 in bonds to fund the construction of a new jail in Caribou. The funds would be managed by the Treasurer of State and spent specifically under the direction of the Department of Corrections. Because the bill involves state debt, it must be approved by voters in a statewide referendum held after the legislation passes. If approved, the bonds would be repaid over a maximum of 10 years using future state tax revenues.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Maine to issue up to $4 million in bonds to compensate the Gulf of Maine Research Institute for the loss in value of Union Wharf in Portland Harbor. The funds are designated to pay for an independent real estate appraisal and to restrict the wharf's use to marine-dependent industries such as commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing, with a requirement that at least 35% of berthing space be reserved for fishing and aquaculture vessels. The legislation includes strict financial controls, such as a ten-year limit on the bonds and a requirement that any unspent money be used to retire other state debt. Crucially, the bill does not take effect unless it is approved by a majority of voters in a statewide referendum held after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the State Controller to move $162,500 from a special emergency management fund to the state's general fund by June 1, 2025. The transfer is intended to help maximize available resources for emergency medical services. It does not create new programs but reallocates existing money within the state budget. The measure affects the state's financial management and the funds available for emergency response efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum staffing requirements for direct-care registered nurses in Maine's critical access hospitals, which are smaller facilities serving rural areas. Starting July 1, 2025, these hospitals must assign nurses to no more than two neonatal intensive care patients, four patients in step-down or telemetry units, and five patients in medical surgical or specialty care units. The law also clarifies that staffing rules do not apply during declared state or local emergencies if the facility shows it made diligent efforts to maintain staffing despite the crisis. Additionally, the bill defines "critical access hospital" and excludes state institutions from the new staffing mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a nine-member Commission on Predictability of Mandated Overtime for Manufacturing Facility Employees to study overtime practices at manufacturing sites with 50 or more workers. The commission will examine current overtime levels, safety policies, and employee morale, while seeking public input through up to two hearings. Its final report, due in November 2024, will include findings and suggested legislation to address issues like excessive mandatory overtime and its impact on workplace safety and hiring.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends funding provisions for the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board by replacing ongoing annual appropriations with a single one-time payment of $1,336,343 for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The legislation directs the State Controller to transfer these funds from the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation's special revenue account to the General Fund's unappropriated surplus. Additionally, the bill allocates specific amounts within this total to cover contracts and hire limited-term staff positions to administer the board's new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a larger act to establish how a Blue Ribbon Commission studying long-term care options will be managed and funded. It designates the director of the long-term care ombudsman program as the commission's chair and requires the program to provide necessary staff support. The legislation also mandates that the commission seek outside funding to cover study costs and prohibits meetings until sufficient money is secured. Additionally, it authorizes a specific state allocation to pay for staffing expenses if the commission successfully raises the required external funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends an existing outdoor education program to require providers to follow state licensing rules for guides and trip leaders. Specifically, it mandates that anyone leading outdoor school activities in Maine must hold the appropriate licenses for guides, youth camp leaders, or educational trip leaders as defined by state law. The change ensures that all participants in the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program are supervised by qualified, licensed professionals.