Sen. Trey Stewart

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates Maine's net energy billing program, which allowed residential and business customers with solar installations to receive bill credits for excess electricity they sent back to the grid. It directly affects solar customers who currently participate in this program by prohibiting utilities from offering net energy billing under any circumstances. The bill repeals all related provisions in Maine law (including sections governing billing practices and tax exemptions) and explicitly states the Public Utilities Commission cannot require utilities to implement such billing. This changes how solar customers are compensated for surplus energy, shifting away from bill credits toward alternative compensation methods.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Maine's Home Resiliency Program, which provides grants to homeowners for projects that make homes more resistant to storm damage. The program is funded through a dedicated Home Resiliency Fund, allowing the state to award grants for weather-resistant home improvements like elevating structures or reinforcing roofs. It directly affects homeowners who apply for these grants and have not previously received such funding. The bill creates a formal process for administering applications, verifying eligibility, and ensuring projects meet defined standards for storm resilience.

Maddy summaryLD 934 provides Maine residents aged 65 or older and veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces with a full $25,000 property tax exemption on their primary home (homestead), regardless of their municipality's property assessment ratio. Currently, the exemption amount is reduced by the assessment ratio (typically below 100%), so homeowners often receive less than $25,000. The bill requires the state to reimburse municipalities 100% of lost tax revenue for this exemption, increasing the reimbursement rate from the current 76% to cover the full cost. This change applies to property tax years beginning April 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 797) changes Maine's unemployment benefit rules to require individuals receiving benefits to actively seek work three times weekly, with no exception for the Commissioner of Labor to waive this requirement. It specifies acceptable work search activities (e.g., submitting resumes, attending job fairs, completing job applications) and mandates weekly documentation of these efforts via an online portal or paper form by Friday. The Department of Labor must verify these reports and conduct random audits of 10% of submissions. Additionally, the bill eliminates the previous provision allowing benefits for "temporary unemployment," meaning individuals must meet the active job search requirement to qualify for benefits.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors former Maine State Representative Lois Galgay-Reckitt, who served four terms in the Maine House of Representatives and was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, by recognizing her contributions during the Red Sox's April 4, 2025 home opener at Fenway Park. It is a ceremonial tribute with no legislative effect, commemorating her public service and advocacy for women. The resolution does not create new policies or affect any laws. It specifically references her role as a "self-proclaimed Number One Red Sox fan" and her belief in the team's community impact.

Maddy summaryLD 7 increases the homestead property tax exemption for Maine residents aged 65 or older who have lived on their primary home for at least 10 years. Starting April 1, 2025, eligible seniors will have $75,000 of their home's value exempt from property taxes, up from the current $25,000. This change directly reduces the taxable value of qualifying homeowners' primary residences, lowering their annual property tax bill. The exemption applies to the just value of the homestead and is effective for property tax years beginning in 2025.

Maddy summaryLD 469 requires that at least 50% of electricity delivered through high-impact transmission lines carrying Canadian-generated power must be consumed within Maine. This rule applies to new transmission lines approved after December 31, 2026, for projects delivering electricity through Maine to other states via the New England grid. The Public Utilities Commission must deny approval for lines failing this standard unless grid reliability or regional energy agreements are at risk (a temporary exception set to end in 2031). Companies operating such lines must report quarterly on electricity distribution and face penalties, including fines up to $575,000 or 5% of revenue from out-of-state sales for violations.

Maddy summaryLD 387 prohibits the Governor of Maine from relocating undocumented immigrants into the state or taking actions to assist such relocation. The bill specifically states the Governor may not authorize, approve, or otherwise help transport undocumented immigrants into Maine, defining "undocumented immigrants" as people not lawfully present in the United States. This policy directly affects the Governor and state officials involved in immigration-related decisions. The law creates a clear restriction on executive actions regarding the movement of undocumented individuals into Maine.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to create a program offering $25,000 recruitment and retention incentives to behavioral health clinicians during fiscal year 2025-26. It requires clinicians and their employers to sign written agreements outlining eligibility, minimum employment periods, and repayment conditions if employment ends early. The department must establish specific criteria for participation and submit a report on the program to the Health and Human Services Committee by December 3, 2025. The policy directly affects behavioral health clinicians and their employers across the state by providing financial incentives to address staffing challenges.

Maddy summarySP 478 is a joint resolution honoring the contributions of Irish immigrants and Irish-Americans during the American War of Independence. It commemorates specific historical events, including Irish involvement in early naval actions (like the O'Briens capturing British ships in Machias Bay, Maine, in 1775) and at the Battle of Bunker Hill (where 176 Irish-born patriots fought). The resolution formally expresses the Maine legislature's recognition of these roles through historical references to figures like Major Andrew McClary and Captain Ebenezer Sullivan, without creating new laws or policies.