Sen. Stacy Brenner

Maddy summaryLD 390 raises contribution limits for unenrolled candidates (those nominated by petition rather than a party primary) by doubling the current caps set for party-nominated candidates. For example, individuals can now contribute up to $3,900 for a gubernatorial unenrolled candidate (double the $1,950 limit for party candidates) and $950 for a legislative unenrolled candidate (double the $475 limit). The bill requires these limits to be adjusted every two years based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation, rounded to the nearest $25. This change directly affects unenrolled candidates and their donors by allowing larger contributions than permitted for party-affiliated candidates.

Maddy summaryLD 1001 prohibits medical providers and mandated reporters from reporting a parent’s use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders to child protective services when there is no evidence of child abuse or neglect. The bill modifies Maine’s child welfare laws so that if an infant shows symptoms from prenatal exposure due to MAT (not illegal drugs or abuse), providers cannot notify the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and must instead create a safe care plan for the infant. DHHS may not take action if a provider incorrectly reports MAT without abuse/neglect concerns. This directly affects parents receiving FDA-approved MAT, medical providers, and child protective services protocols.

Maddy summaryLD 1292 codifies a requirement for the Maine Turnpike Authority to transfer excess funds to the Highway Fund on a quarterly basis. It specifies that any revenues or reserves held by the Authority exceeding its approved operating budget, maintenance reserves, debt service obligations, and legislatively approved capital projects must be sent to the Highway Fund. This directly affects the Authority’s financial management and the Highway Fund, which funds state transportation projects. The bill aligns with the Sensible Transportation Policy Act by directing excess turnpike revenues toward broader highway needs rather than remaining within the Authority’s reserves.

Maddy summaryLD 1314 prohibits creditors in Maine from denying, refusing to extend, or canceling credit (including credit cards) solely because a person is an owner, operator, employee of a legal cannabis business, or a registered caregiver under Maine's medical cannabis law. The bill directly affects workers and caregivers in Maine's legal cannabis industry by preventing credit discrimination based on their employment. Key provisions include banning creditors from using cannabis-related employment information in credit decisions without consent and allowing affected individuals to file complaints or sue for violations. This law applies only when federal law doesn't prohibit such credit decisions, as cannabis remains federally illegal.

Maddy summaryLD 1293 prohibits organized coyote-killing contests in Maine, where participants compete for prizes by killing coyotes. The law makes it illegal to arrange, host, provide a venue for, or knowingly participate in such contests, with violations classified as Class E crimes. It explicitly excludes self-defense, property protection, and government-sanctioned coyote culling from the prohibition. The bill directly affects organizers, venues, and participants in these contests, while allowing existing legal wildlife management practices to continue.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets a new state target requiring at least 300 megawatts of long-duration battery storage capacity in Maine by December 31, 2035. Long-duration storage is defined as systems using commercially available technology capable of storing energy for eight hours or more. The Governor's Energy Office must reevaluate and potentially increase this goal every two years starting in 2024, reporting updates to the legislature. This policy directly affects energy storage developers, utilities, and infrastructure projects working to meet these targets within Maine.

Maddy summaryLD 895 establishes the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program, providing immersive outdoor education for grades 4-8 in publicly funded schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The program, administered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service, provides grants to outdoor education providers to partner with schools, prioritizing historically underserved communities including rural schools, students of color, English language learners, and those qualifying for free/reduced lunch. It requires curricula focused on Maine's natural resources, science, sustainability, and hands-on learning in outdoor settings, with grants ensuring annual participation for the same grade level. The bill directly affects Maine public school students in grades 4-8 and outdoor education providers partnering with school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $250,000 pilot program for Maine schools to reduce student device distractions during the school day. It requires the Department of Education to fund one or more school districts to implement a policy requiring all student devices to be turned off and securely stored (e.g., in pouches) for the entire school day during the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must include exemptions for students needing devices for health reasons or individualized education plans (IEPs). The Maine Education Policy Research Institute will develop evaluation metrics tracking school climate, behavior, academics, and stakeholder feedback, with reports due in late 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summaryLD 376 requires MaineCare to reimburse nonclinical doulas for services supporting pregnant people before, during, and after childbirth. It specifically covers up to four prenatal and four postnatal visits per person, beginning January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects MaineCare enrollees, particularly low-income pregnant individuals, and doulas providing these services. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services must create implementing rules to administer the reimbursement program.

Maddy summaryLD 217 requires all Maine public schools and qualifying private schools (those approved for public tuition funds with at least 60% publicly funded students) serving grades 9-12 to provide free condoms to students in the school nurse's office. Condoms must be administered solely by the school nurse, not other staff, and schools must plan for students with latex allergies. The law directly affects students in grades 9-12 at these schools by creating a formal, accessible channel for condom access. It does not alter existing health education curricula but establishes a specific procedure for distributing condoms through school health services.