Sen. Jill Duson

Maddy summaryLD 532 expands Maine's assault law to specifically protect all health care workers in hospital emergency rooms. The bill defines assault on these workers as a Class C crime, covering anyone employed or contracted by a state-licensed health care entity (including hospitals and clinics) while performing their job in the emergency room. This change directly affects health care workers in Maine's emergency departments by strengthening legal consequences for assaults against them. The key provision amends existing statute §752-F to broaden the definition beyond previous limitations, ensuring all licensed health care workers in emergency settings receive the same legal protection.

Maddy summaryMaine's legislature passed a joint resolution expressing condolences to the Minnesota Legislature for the deaths of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, who were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, home on June 14, 2025. The resolution also extends condolences to Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who survived a separate shooting by the same assailant, and condemns political violence. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it solely offers symbolic support and grief for the victims.

Maddy summaryLD 1743 allows Maine municipalities to adopt local rules prohibiting firearms in municipal buildings, voting places, and at municipal public proceedings. If adopted, these rules must post clear notices at entrances and may impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation. The rules must exempt law enforcement officers from the prohibition and cannot apply to non-municipal sections of buildings used for municipal meetings. The bill defines key terms like "municipal public proceeding" to clarify the rule's scope and implementation.

Maddy summaryLD 1838 establishes a regulatory framework for electronic games in Maine, specifically defining "electronic beano" (an electronic version of a traditional card game) and "electronic wagering terminals" (devices for betting on historical horse races, electronic beano, or virtual sealed tickets). The bill requires these terminals to use a central computer system to determine chance outcomes, prohibits cash payouts (allowing only vouchers or noncash items), and clarifies such devices are not classified as slot machines. It affects businesses seeking licenses to operate these terminals and the Gambling Control Unit, which will oversee enforcement and licensing. The bill's title references support for farms, tribes, and veterans' homes, but the text contains no provisions addressing these groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maine's definition of "machine gun" to include any part or combination of parts designed to convert a standard firearm into a machine gun (such as devices enabling multiple shots per trigger pull or crank/lever systems). It also creates a new Class D crime for knowingly possessing a "rapid-fire device" without authorization. A rapid-fire device is defined as any part or device that increases a semi-automatic firearm's rate of fire beyond normal operation, including recoil-powered triggers or manual crank/lever mechanisms. The law directly affects individuals who own or possess such devices, making their possession illegal without legal authority.

Maddy summaryLD 1787 amends Maine's Clean Election Act to clarify and strengthen campaign finance rules for candidates. It sets specific contribution limits: $500 per person for gubernatorial candidates (including the candidate's spouse/partner) and $100 per person for other offices like state legislature or local sheriff. The bill adjusts the candidate certification deadline to April 20th (or next business day) and adds that candidates accepting non-"seed money" contributions become ineligible for the program. These changes directly affect candidates running for governor, state legislature, district attorney, sheriff, or county commissioner who seek public financing under the Clean Election Act. The amendments ensure stricter adherence to existing contribution rules and streamline certification timing.

Maddy summaryLD 1858 creates a Maine Local Seafood Fund to help schools buy seafood from Maine sources. It matches $1 in state funds for every $3 schools spend on seafood purchased directly from Maine fishermen, aquaculture farmers, or local food hubs, up to $5,000 per school annually (or $5,500 if staff attend required training). The bill requires all seafood to be grown or harvested in Maine, with some processed products allowed if they meet state standards. This funding mechanism aims to support Maine seafood businesses while expanding local seafood options in school meals.

Maddy summaryLD 1245 creates the Working Waterfront Information Campaign Fund to educate tourists and new residents in Maine's coastal and island communities about working waterfronts. The fund, administered by the Maine Office of Community Affairs, will support online and direct mail campaigns designed to explain what working waterfronts are (land used for commercial fishing/marine activities), who uses them, and how to protect them. The office must collaborate with the Department of Economic and Community Development, tourism office, coastal governments, and waterfront advocacy groups to develop these campaigns. The fund accepts private and public donations and must use all money for these awareness efforts, with balances carried forward annually.

Maddy summaryLD 1638 modifies Maine's public employee disability retirement benefits to stop reducing those benefits when a recipient also receives Social Security disability benefits. This change applies retroactively to public employees who were receiving Maine disability retirement benefits as of December 31, 2024 and had their benefits reduced due to Social Security payments. Affected individuals will receive the full amount of their Maine benefits, including any cost-of-living adjustments and interest, from the date the reduction began. The bill also removes the requirement for applicants to provide proof of applying for Social Security disability benefits when filing for Maine disability retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers oversight of pilots operating in Portland Harbor from the Board of Harbor Commissioners to the Maine Pilotage Commission. It directly affects pilots navigating Portland Harbor, the Maine Pilotage Commission, and the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Key provisions require the Pilotage Commission to regulate pilot licensure, safety, fees, and other activities in Portland Harbor through new rules, while maintaining the Board's authority over docking masters. The bill also updates coastal zone definitions and exempts certain small recreational vessels from pilotage rules in Portland Harbor. This is a procedural change to clarify jurisdiction, not a policy shift on vessel operations.