Sen. Trey Stewart

Maddy summaryThis bill requires voters to present a photo ID at polling places in Maine. Acceptable IDs include state driver's licenses, non-driver ID cards, passports, military IDs, or concealed carry permits with photos (but not college IDs). Voters without photo ID can request a free special voter ID card from the Secretary of State. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all in-person voting.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SP 789) is a procedural waiver that removes the requirement for a public hearing on L.D. 1378, the main bill establishing Maine's Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law. The ERPO law would allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed an immediate risk to themselves or others. By waiving the public hearing requirement under Maine law (Title 21-A, section 907), this order streamlines the legislative process for L.D. 1378 without changing the law's substance. The waiver applies specifically to the hearing step, not to the ERPO provisions themselves.

Maddy summaryThis procedural bill (SP 791) is a joint order ending Maine's First Special Session of the 132nd Legislature. It directs the Senate and House to adjourn sine die (permanently) on June 5, 2025, without setting a future return date. The order affects only the legislative session's structure, not policy or constituents. It serves as a routine administrative step to formally conclude the special session.

Maddy summaryThis procedural bill (SP 790) directs Maine's Legislative Council to hold a public hearing on L.D. 1378, the "Extreme Risk Protection Order Act." It mandates the hearing occur before the First Special Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourns, as required by Maine law (Title 21-A, section 907). The order does not change policy but schedules a required public review of the substantive bill (L.D. 1378) that would establish Extreme Risk Protection Orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 924) directs Maine's judicial branch to lease a new courthouse facility in Newport that meets federal accessibility standards (Americans with Disabilities Act) and state requirements, including adequate space for courtrooms, offices, and meeting rooms. The lease must comply with Maine's public accommodations laws and include up to $200,000 in maintenance costs from existing judicial branch funds. The judicial branch must report to the Judiciary Committee by December 31, 2025, on lease progress, facility compliance, and budget adjustments for the project. This resolve affects courthouse operations in Newport and the judicial branch's facility management.

Maddy summaryMaine bill LD 921 mandates that most court hearings in District, Superior, and Supreme Courts be conducted electronically (via video/audio technology) unless exceptions apply. It directly affects courts, attorneys, parties, and witnesses by requiring remote participation for pretrial conferences, motion hearings, mediations, and other proceedings where in-person attendance isn't essential for due process. Exceptions include criminal/civil jury trials needing physical evidence (requiring party consent and court approval) and provisions for accommodations for individuals with limited tech access or disabilities. The bill also requires courts to provide necessary technology, training, and annual reports on usage, cost savings, and feedback from participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the University of Maine System to establish an online degree program at the University of Maine School of Law. The University of Maine System must submit a report by November 4, 2026, detailing the program's development to the legislative education committee. It directly affects the University of Maine School of Law by mandating the creation of an online option for its law degree program. The law specifies the requirement and reporting deadline but does not outline the program's structure or content.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the residency requirement for students to receive state-funded tuition at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. Currently, students must have lived in Maine with a parent, relative, or guardian for six months before applying. The bill would instead require that the student's parent or guardian be a Maine resident at the start of the school year for which tuition is paid. This change directly affects students seeking state tuition assistance at the school, altering how residency eligibility is determined.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1538) adjusts Maine's maximum unemployment benefits based on the state's unemployment rate. It adds a provision that increases the maximum weekly benefit amount for eligible unemployed workers when the state average unemployment rate exceeds 5.5%. Specifically, for every 0.5% the rate rises above 5.5%, beneficiaries receive an additional week of benefits, up to a total cap of 26 weeks. This change directly affects unemployed Mainers who qualify for state unemployment benefits under the Employment Security Law. The adjustment automatically applies without requiring new legislation during economic downturns.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends Maine's mandatory payroll premiums for employers with private paid family and medical leave plans that are substantially equivalent to the state program, preventing double payments until January 1, 2026. Employers may continue paying premiums if they choose to remain in the state program. The bill also requires the Department of Labor to create an expedited process for private plan exemptions by November 1, 2025, allowing employers to stop paying premiums while their application is reviewed. It directly affects employers with qualifying private leave plans who would otherwise pay both private and state premiums. The policy change aims to resolve a financial burden caused by delayed exemption approvals under current rules.