Sen. Chip Curry

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 renewable energy projects (solar, wind, and major transmission lines) to pay a compensation fee equal to the average value of the undeveloped land they occupy. The fee must be deposited into Maine's Land for Maine's Future Trust Fund. Developers are exempt from fees for projects on already-developed land, designated growth areas in municipal plans, or contaminated sites (like brownfields or PFAS-affected properties). The bill also specifies that the Department of Environmental Protection must consider only six defined wildlife habitats (including endangered species areas and critical bird nesting sites) when assessing project impacts.

Maddy summaryLD 1385 requires the Maine Department of Transportation to consider a municipality's past actions and future plans toward meeting regional housing production goals when awarding discretionary transportation grants. This policy change directly affects all Maine municipalities applying for these transportation grants by adding housing progress as a new factor in funding decisions. The bill does not establish new housing goals but integrates existing regional housing objectives - defined under Title 5, section 13056, subsection 9 - into the grant evaluation process. It aims to align transportation investments with housing development efforts without altering current housing targets.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits Maine electricity providers from supplying data centers with more than 25% of their total annual electricity sales to all customers in the state. It requires providers to submit quarterly reports to the Public Utilities Commission detailing electricity sales to each data center and their overall sales. The limit does not apply to electricity provided directly to a data center adjacent to a power plant (behind the meter). Violations may result in administrative penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that housing assistance under Maine's general assistance program does not reduce support for other essential needs like food, utilities, or clothing. It extends the automatic eligibility period for homeless individuals in emergency shelters from 30 days to 180 days, reducing administrative hurdles for those seeking aid. The state will increase its reimbursement rate for municipal and tribal general assistance costs from 70% to 90%, while covering 100% of costs for emergency shelter services. These changes directly affect low-income households receiving aid and the local governments and tribal communities administering the program.

Maddy summaryLD 1632 creates a new program offering competitive funding to Maine municipalities that adopt community transportation plans for state highway corridors. These plans must guide development to reduce future infrastructure costs, and funds can be used to purchase rural land adjacent to highways or plan public ways. The bill also amends access rules to allow more property access near highways if development aligns with designated growth areas in comprehensive plans. It directly affects rural towns along state highways by providing financial incentives for long-term transportation planning and modifying access management standards.

Maddy summaryLD 1767 amends Waldo County's budget committee rules to allow voting-age residents (not required to be municipal officers) to serve on the committee if no municipal officer volunteers from their county commissioner district. It removes the requirement that committee members must remain municipal officers during their term and permits any voting-age resident from the same municipality to fill vacancies. The bill also changes the budget process: the committee adopts the final budget after a public hearing, and county commissioners can only alter it with unanimous consent - otherwise, the committee can reject changes with a two-thirds vote. This directly affects Waldo County residents seeking committee roles and modifies how county budgets are approved.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 459) is a concept draft proposing regulations for prior authorization in Maine's healthcare system. It would establish rules for when health insurance plans require providers to get pre-approval before covering certain services. The bill directly affects healthcare providers (like doctors and hospitals) and insurers who use prior authorization practices. However, as a concept draft under Joint Rule 208, it does not yet detail specific requirements or mechanisms. The full provisions are not provided in the current context.

Maddy summaryLD 1599 establishes the Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission to monitor and evaluate the state's emergency medical services system. The commission, composed of 26 members including legislative leaders, state agency representatives, EMS providers, community advocates, and public members, will provide recommendations to state agencies and the Legislature. It must meet at least quarterly and may seek outside funding to carry out its duties. This bill creates a new oversight body for EMS system improvements, directly affecting how Maine's emergency medical services are reviewed and managed.

Maddy summaryLD 1950 amends Maine law to allow additional counties to join the existing Lincoln and Sagadahoc Multicounty Jail Authority. The bill modifies the authority's governance structure by requiring new member counties to contribute 3 public members (one from each commissioners' district), 2 county commissioners, and 1 sheriff to the board of directors. This change enables counties beyond Lincoln and Sagadahoc to participate in the shared jail facility while maintaining proportional representation and ensuring all member counties remain represented on the governing board. The bill does not mandate specific counties to join nor alter existing service provisions.