Sen. Stacy Brenner

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.84 million in state funds over two years to support the Maine Climate Corps Program, which places volunteers in communities to address climate change impacts. The legislation provides $340,000 annually for four leadership positions and $1.5 million annually for up to 50 eligible participants. These funds are designated for the Department of Education and the Maine Commission for Community Service to sustain the program's operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to provide additional monthly funding to SNAP households that receive less than $95 in federal benefits. Starting January 1, 2024, the state will fill the gap between a household's current benefit amount and $95 to ensure a minimum combined total of $95 for all eligible recipients. The legislation appropriates approximately $8 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year and $16 million for 2024-25 to cover these costs. Additionally, the bill requires the department to establish the necessary rules to implement this state supplement by the beginning of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to create a pilot program that reimburses MaineCare members for treating up to 25 individuals diagnosed with personality disorders or primary emotional dysregulation. The program will use a bundled payment rate covering various services, including dialectical behavior therapy, psychiatry, nursing, case management, and skills coaching. Funding of $650,000 is allocated for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to support this initiative, and the department must submit a report on the program's effectiveness by November 7, 2025, to determine if it should be expanded.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine's environmental laws to remove specific criteria from the definition of environmental justice and allocates state funding to the Department of Environmental Protection. The financial provisions authorize approximately $460,000 in the 2023-24 fiscal year to hire staff, manage technology, and cover costs for facilitator services and meetings. These changes aim to support the department's operations and workforce while adjusting the legal framework for environmental justice initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a related measure to require a one-time transfer of $90,000 from the state's PFAS Contamination Fund to the General Fund surplus. The money comes from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and must be moved by June 30, 2025. This change affects state budget accounts rather than individuals or businesses.

Maddy summaryThis legislative amendment modifies an existing bill by removing the section that details funding allocations for farmland conservation and farmer transition planning. As a result, the specific budget provisions intended to support these agricultural initiatives are no longer included in the final version of the act. The change does not alter the bill's overall purpose but eliminates the financial mechanisms that would have provided resources to farmers and land conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine law to prohibit the sale and distribution of flavored vaping liquids, with the specific exception of products that have received federal clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. The legislation defines "characterizing flavors" as distinct tastes such as fruit, candy, or vanilla, while explicitly excluding tobacco and menthol flavors. Anyone found selling these restricted liquids faces civil penalties, with fines ranging from $100 for a first offense to $1,500 for repeat violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to eliminate Maine's sales and use tax entirely for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. It requires the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to review state statutes related to the tax and submit a report with necessary legislative changes to the 132nd Legislature by January 15, 2025. The measure affects all consumers and businesses currently subject to the tax, removing the obligation to collect and remit these fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 from the Federal Expenditures Fund to the Department of Transportation for a specific rail project. The funds are designated to replace tracks on a 31-mile corridor between Fryeburg and Standish, based on recommendations from the Mountain Division Rail Use Advisory Council. This one-time appropriation is intended to support the physical repair of the rail infrastructure rather than ongoing operational costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Maine to issue up to $4 million in bonds to compensate the Gulf of Maine Research Institute for the loss in value of Union Wharf in Portland Harbor. The funds are designated to pay for an independent real estate appraisal and to restrict the wharf's use to marine-dependent industries such as commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing, with a requirement that at least 35% of berthing space be reserved for fishing and aquaculture vessels. The legislation includes strict financial controls, such as a ten-year limit on the bonds and a requirement that any unspent money be used to retire other state debt. Crucially, the bill does not take effect unless it is approved by a majority of voters in a statewide referendum held after the bill is passed.