Sen. Trey Stewart

Maddy summaryLD 1166 changes Maine's official title for licensed practitioners from "Physician Assistant" to "Physician Associate" in state law. The bill updates all relevant statutes to reflect this new title and prohibits non-licensed individuals from using "Physician Associate" or the abbreviation "P.A.", with violations classified as a Class E crime. Licensing requirements remain unchanged, including graduation from an accredited program, passing a national certification exam, and meeting other standard criteria. This bill directly affects current and future licensed physician associates in Maine, ensuring the title is reserved for those who meet state licensing standards.

Maddy summaryLD 1432 would amend Maine's Human Rights Act by removing "gender identity" from the list of protected characteristics. This change means the law would no longer prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, or education based on gender identity. Other protections, such as those for race, sex, sexual orientation, and disability, would remain intact. The bill does not alter existing exemptions for religious organizations that do not receive public funds.

Maddy summaryLD 1321 reformulates Maine's net energy billing program for solar and renewable energy systems. It limits new residential and small commercial systems to 20 kilowatts after November 2025 (with limited exemptions), caps shared ownership to 10 customers per project, and restricts individuals to owning no more than 5 systems. The bill sets a hard end date of December 31, 2045, or 20 years from a system's agreement date, whichever comes first. It also requires that renewable energy credits generated must be sold within Maine and adjusts compensation rates based on historical utility rates with annual 2.25% increases. This directly affects residential and small commercial customers with solar installations participating in net energy billing.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets the state's annual contribution to the County Jail Operations Fund at 35% of the total operating costs for all county jails and the regional jail, based on the previous fiscal year's actual expenses. It requires the state to fund costs necessary to meet standards established by the Commissioner of Corrections or other legal requirements. County jails may offer additional services beyond these standards, but those extra costs must be covered by the counties themselves or other external funding sources - not the state fund. The bill directly affects county jail operations and the state's financial responsibility for their core funding.

Maddy summaryLD 1430 allows disabled veterans in Maine to receive moose hunting permits from specific eligible groups, including individual permit holders, nonprofit veteran aid organizations, their employees/volunteers, and registered Maine guides. The bill establishes a process for these groups to transfer permits to a disabled veteran who meets state eligibility requirements, either directly or by returning the permit to the state department for redistribution. Crucially, the transferor (the individual or organization giving the permit) will be eligible to apply for a new permit and restart accumulating points for the public drawing the year following the transfer. This policy change provides disabled veterans with access to moose hunting opportunities while maintaining future permit eligibility for transferors.

Maddy summaryLD 1027 strengthens legal protections for elderly dependent persons who lose property through undue influence or transfers for less than full value. If a court finds someone exerted undue influence over an elderly person or paid less than full consideration for their property, the court must order that person to pay the victim’s legal fees and costs. The bill specifically targets situations where property is transferred unfairly from vulnerable seniors, requiring courts to grant relief like rescinding deeds or imposing constructive trusts. It does not affect good faith purchasers who paid full value for the property after the transfer.

Maddy summaryLD 1032 requires Maine's State Court Administrator to contract for court security services when a court experiences security shortages affecting more than 2% of its scheduled time in a month. This bill directly affects courts statewide that face recurring security gaps, mandating the hiring of qualified security personnel to restore operations. Key provisions include prioritizing contracts for the local sheriff's office before seeking external providers and defining the specific threshold (2% monthly shortfall) that triggers the requirement. The law aims to ensure consistent court security without specifying new funding mechanisms or altering existing sheriff responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits distilleries and out-of-state alcohol manufacturers to ship spirits directly to consumers in Maine, subject to state licensing and regulations. Businesses must obtain a license, only ship spirits they produced or own for personal use (not resale), and ensure all packages are labeled with a clear adult signature requirement upon delivery. The law establishes a regulatory framework for direct alcohol shipments to Maine residents aged 21 or older, requiring state oversight through the bureau for compliance and safety.

Maddy summaryLD 1863 reclassifies the Maine Space Corporation as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity under federal tax law, requiring its operations to align with public and charitable purposes. It clarifies the corporation as a quasi-independent state agency performing essential government functions, mandates that dissolution assets fund IRS 501(c)(3) exempt purposes or transfer to the state, and allows confidential handling of trade secrets and proprietary business information. This bill directly affects the corporation’s governance, financial operations, and public record transparency, ensuring its activities support Maine’s space industry goals while meeting federal nonprofit standards.

Maddy summaryLD 508 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Maine's Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney General to be elected directly by voters every two years, beginning in 2026. Currently, these offices are chosen by the Legislature through joint ballot. The amendment specifies they would be elected on the same date and in the same manner as state Senators and Representatives. If vacancies occur, deputies would temporarily serve until the next election, with new elections filling permanent vacancies. This change would shift selection from legislative appointment to direct popular vote for these three constitutional officers.