Sen. Trey Stewart

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 12-member commission to study Maine's Constitution and recommend potential amendments. The commission includes members appointed by legislative leaders, a constitutional law expert, a tribal representative, a civil liberties advocate, and the Secretary of State, with a nonvoting judicial advisor. It will examine specific areas like strengthening rights protections, removing unnecessary procedural details from the Constitution, and considering structural changes such as 4-year legislative terms. The commission must submit its findings and recommendations to the Judiciary Committee by November 4, 2026, for potential consideration in the next legislative session.

Maddy summaryLD 1431 authorizes Maine's Secretary of State to create an interstate voter registration cross-check program. The program would compare Maine's voter registration lists with those of other states to identify individuals registered in multiple jurisdictions, helping maintain accurate voter rolls. Maine must protect all voter data - including names, addresses, birth years, and registration details - during data exchanges, and the program must comply with federal voter registration laws. The Secretary of State may contract with private data systems to support this effort, but costs cannot exceed existing voter registration maintenance funding. This bill directly affects Maine's voter registration system and the privacy of registered voters' information.

Maddy summaryLD 267 requires Maine courts to schedule pretrial criminal hearings in a way that allows attorneys to participate remotely whenever possible, unless the court determines in-person attendance is necessary for justice. This applies specifically to pretrial matters that do not involve testimony, such as hearings about bail or procedural motions. The law directs courts to prioritize remote appearances for defense counsel to improve access to legal representation, particularly in rural areas. It does not change the legal requirements for cases but modifies how courts organize proceedings. The bill affects criminal defendants, their attorneys, and Maine courts handling pretrial matters.

Maddy summaryLD 1903 aligns Maine's regulations for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with federal standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It establishes specific soil concentration limits for PFAS contamination (based on EPA guidance) and requires Maine's drinking water rules to adopt the EPA's 2024 maximum contaminant levels for six specific PFAS chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS. The bill also revises restrictions on PFAS in food packaging, mandating that state bans require proof a safer alternative is available and acknowledging federal regulations may preempt state rules. These changes directly affect Maine's environmental cleanup efforts, public water systems, and food packaging manufacturers.

Maddy summaryLD 1573 requires Maine's Governor to obtain legislative approval before reissuing, renewing, or issuing a substantially similar emergency proclamation after one has expired or been terminated by the Legislature. This bill directly affects the Governor's emergency powers, limiting their ability to extend emergency declarations without consent from the state legislature. The key provision prohibits the Governor from continuing emergency measures without explicit legislative authorization. This change aims to strengthen legislative oversight of emergency powers during crises.

Maddy summaryLD 1213 amends Maine law to allow agricultural fairs to include premiums and gratuities from any agricultural event approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry when calculating stipend distributions. Currently, only specific events like pulling contests for horses, oxen, tractors, and pickup trucks are counted toward these distributions. The bill adds a new provision (Section 86, sub-§5, ¶K) that explicitly permits the Commissioner to approve additional events, which then become eligible for inclusion. This change broadens the types of events that can influence how stipend money is allocated to licensed agricultural fairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1306) extends an existing exemption that allows businesses to sell food or beverages in polystyrene foam disposable containers they purchase prepackaged at wholesale. It directly affects restaurants, food vendors, and other covered establishments that use these containers for food service. The key provision repeals the planned July 1, 2025, end of this exemption, maintaining the current allowance for polystyrene foam containers under Maine law. The bill does not change rules for other container types or introduce new restrictions.

Maddy summaryLD 1358 removes restrictions that previously prevented investor-owned utility companies (like Maine's electricity providers) and their affiliates from owning electricity generation facilities, such as power plants. The bill requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish rules ensuring affiliates operate independently, preventing unfair favoritism toward them, and protecting electricity customers (ratepayers). It also eliminates a prior rule requiring affiliate-owned generation to have had a long-term power contract by July 1, 2017, to participate in such contracts. This amendment changes the legal framework for utility affiliates' ownership of generation assets within Maine's electricity market.

Maddy summaryThis resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to require U.S. citizenship for voting in Maine state and local elections. It would amend the Maine Constitution to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens may vote in elections for governor, state legislators, county officials, and municipal positions. The amendment must be approved by voters in a referendum held during the November election following the bill's passage, with a specific question asking whether to permit only U.S. citizens to vote in such elections. If approved by a majority, the change would become part of the Maine Constitution.

Maddy summaryMaine bill LD 788 requires the Maine Economic Growth Council to track and report on the state's research and development (R&D) spending as a percentage of Maine's economy. The bill mandates annual reports by June and December to legislative committees overseeing economic development and budget matters, detailing progress toward meeting the national average for R&D spending by 2030. The Council must also submit budget recommendations to support this goal, working with the Office of Innovation and the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board. This bill directly affects state budget planning and accountability for R&D investment, with no new funding mechanisms created.