Sen. Jill Duson

Maddy summaryLD 1159 requires Maine businesses selling goods or services in person to accept cash for transactions under $2,000. It prohibits businesses from refusing cash payments, posting "cash not accepted" signs, requiring only electronic payments, or charging higher prices for cash payments. The law applies only to in-person retail sales, excluding transactions made by phone, mail, or online. Businesses must accept cash as a valid payment method for qualifying in-person purchases without penalty or extra cost.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the percentage of property tax revenue Maine municipalities can recover from the state when businesses receive equipment tax exemptions. Currently, municipalities recover 50% of lost revenue for tax years before 2026; the bill gradually raises this to 60% for 2026, then 70% for 2027, 75% for 2028-2029, and 80% starting in 2030. It directly affects municipalities that grant business equipment tax exemptions under current law. The change modifies the recovery rate schedule in Section 694 of Maine’s tax code without altering the exemption itself.

Maddy summaryLD 1445 prevents financial exploitation of Maine residents aged 62 or older by requiring financial institutions to take specific actions. It creates a "trusted contact person" system allowing seniors to designate someone to be notified if exploitation is suspected, and permits banks to delay disbursements if they reasonably believe funds may be misused. Financial institutions must notify the senior, all account holders (unless involved in suspected exploitation), and the Attorney General within two business days of delaying a transaction. The law defines financial exploitation as unauthorized taking, deception to gain control of assets, or undue influence over an older adult's property. This directly affects Maine seniors aged 62+ and financial institutions operating in the state.

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 summaryLD 135 would provide compensation to members of Maine's Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. Currently, these members receive no pay for their service; this bill sets their compensation at the standard daily rate paid to state legislators (legislative per diem) and authorizes reimbursement for related expenses. The change aims to make it easier for women from all parts of Maine to serve on the commission by reducing financial barriers. This bill directly affects the 15 appointed members of the commission, who advise the legislature on women's issues.

Maddy summaryLD 412 prohibits the sale, offering for sale, or provision of self-administered sexual assault forensic evidence collection kits (referred to as "covered evidence kits") to individuals. The bill does not affect the admissibility of these kits as evidence in court proceedings. Violating this prohibition would be considered a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. This law primarily affects businesses or organizations that currently sell or distribute such kits to the public.

Maddy summaryLD 1845 establishes the Working Waterfront Advisory Council to address challenges facing Maine's working waterfronts, which include ports, harbors, and coastal areas used for fishing, shipping, and maritime industries. The council, appointed by the Maine Office of Community Affairs with up to 15 members representing tribes, municipalities, industries, and other stakeholders, must meet at least four times yearly and submit annual reports by February 1 to legislative committees on issues like access, climate resilience, workforce housing, and economic development. The bill also requires the Maine Office of Community Affairs to submit similar annual reports on working waterfront initiatives to the same committees, focusing on progress and recommendations from coalitions and tribal partnerships.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative joint resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Mayaguez incident (May 12-15, 1975), recognized as the last U.S. combat mission in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. It honors the 18 U.S. service members who died and 50 wounded during the rescue operation involving the seized SS Mayaguez cargo ship and Marines on Koh Tang Island. The resolution specifically acknowledges Maine’s connection, noting 48,000 Mainers served in Vietnam, 343 are memorialized at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and 11 remain missing. It expresses gratitude for all Maine veterans’ service and sacrifice during the conflict, with no policy or financial provisions.

Maddy summaryLD 1239 requires Maine's psychiatric hospitals to collect and report daily data on bed availability and submit written explanations for denying emergency admissions. Hospitals must detail specific reasons for denials, including what changes would allow reconsideration, and provide this explanation to the referring hospital and the denied patient upon request. The bill also mandates biennial reports from hospitals and the state department on mental health resources, system deficiencies, and service gaps affecting people with chronic mental illness. These reports must be publicly accessible online, aiming to improve transparency and inform policy decisions about emergency psychiatric care access.

Maddy summaryLD 1446 proposes a constitutional amendment to lower Maine's voting age from 18 to 16 years old, allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in state elections. The resolution requires two-thirds approval in both the Maine House and Senate before being submitted to voters for ratification. Voters would decide in a statewide referendum using the question: "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to reduce the voting age qualification by 2 years, from 18 years of age or older to 16 years of age or older?" If approved by a majority, the amendment would become part of Maine's Constitution. This change would directly affect Maine residents aged 16-17 who are U.S. citizens and established residents of the state.