Sen. Matt Harrington

Maddy summaryLD 885 would amend Maine law to allow individuals aged 21 or older who hold a valid concealed handgun permit under Title 25, Chapter 252 to possess and discharge firearms on school property. This exception applies only to non-student permit holders, removing a general prohibition that previously barred all firearms on school grounds. The bill specifically targets permit holders meeting the age and non-student criteria, without altering restrictions for students or unpermitted individuals. It creates a clear, limited exception to existing school firearm rules for this specific group.

Maddy summaryLD 1405 amends Maine's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) rules to remove two funding sources for intervenors (like consumer advocates) and participants in utility proceedings. Specifically, it eliminates the PUC's authority to use administrative penalties collected from utilities for this funding and removes the option to provide similar funding in nonadjudicatory proceedings (e.g., rulemaking). The bill directly affects utility customers, consumer groups, and the PUC itself by changing how funding is allocated in utility-related cases. These changes clarify that funding must come only from the PUC's Regulatory Fund, not from utility penalties, and apply uniformly to all proceedings. The bill does not create new funding but revises existing mechanisms.

Maddy summaryLD 551 limits emergency powers in Maine to prevent overreach during crises. It requires that any emergency order by the Governor, executive branch officials, or local governments that restricts constitutional rights (like free speech, assembly, or firearm ownership) must be strictly limited to addressing a compelling public health or safety threat, and must not last longer than necessary. The bill mandates legislative approval for emergency extensions beyond 30 days (requiring a 2/3 vote in both chambers), prohibits reissuing similar emergency proclamations without approval, and gives courts authority to quickly review challenges to emergency orders for fairness and necessity. This directly affects how Maine’s Governor and local officials can issue emergency rules during declared emergencies.

Maddy summaryMaine's SP 10 is a joint resolution applying to Congress under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to call two separate conventions. It seeks to establish term limits for U.S. Congress members (House and Senate) and staggered 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices. The resolution does not create new laws but joins other states' applications to reach the required two-thirds of states (34) to compel Congress to convene these specific conventions. It emphasizes that Maine's application is procedural and does not commit the state to supporting any proposed amendments. This is a formal step toward potentially proposing constitutional amendments, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Maine's Legislature to approve any state of emergency declared by the Governor that lasts longer than 60 days. It would limit each emergency to a 60-day period unless the Legislature explicitly votes to extend it. The amendment must be ratified by voters in a statewide referendum held in November of the year following the bill's passage to become part of Maine's Constitution. This directly affects the Governor's emergency powers and the Legislature's role in oversight.

Maddy summaryThis Maine bill (LD 890) allows pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a new prescription upon a patient's request, but only under specific conditions. It requires a "standing order" from a licensed healthcare provider authorizing dispensing for COVID-19, flu, or cancer treatment, along with documentation of patient screening and adverse event plans. Pharmacists following these rules are deemed to be acting for a legitimate medical purpose. The law directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking these treatments, and healthcare providers issuing standing orders. It does not approve ivermectin for these conditions but changes dispensing protocols under defined safeguards.

Maddy summaryLD 1250 clarifies that Maine's requirement for competitive electricity providers to source at least 30% of their supply from renewable resources applies only to actual retail electricity sales to end customers, such as households and small businesses. This change ensures the renewable energy mandate does not apply to bulk sales or other non-retail electricity transactions. Existing supply contracts in place before September 2019 remain exempt until their terms end. The bill aims to make the renewable energy requirement clearer by limiting it strictly to transactions reaching final retail consumers.

Maddy summaryLD 1317 amends Maine's Commercial and Institutional Net Energy Billing Program by establishing a new rate structure for energy credits starting in 2026. It requires the Public Utilities Commission to set annual tariff rates between 12¢ per kilowatt-hour and the lower of previous years' rates, with the rate fixed at exactly 12¢ per kWh beginning January 1, 2028. This directly affects commercial and institutional customers participating in the net energy billing program, which allows them to receive credits for excess energy sent to the grid. The bill replaces prior rate formulas with this phased approach to stabilize and reduce credit values over time. These changes aim to balance cost-effectiveness for ratepayers while maintaining program participation.

Maddy summaryLD 1717 requires background checks for staff working in Maine's medical cannabis system. The bill mandates criminal history checks for employees of long-term care facilities assisting with medical cannabis, cannabis testing facilities, and staff at manufacturing facilities (except assistants). It also prohibits individuals with certain drug convictions from obtaining registry cards for facility leadership roles. These checks, valid for two years, apply to all personnel handling medical cannabis under Maine's current regulations.

Maddy summaryLD 955 prohibits Maine health insurance carriers from denying claims or coverage solely based on artificial intelligence decisions, effective January 1, 2026. It requires carriers to conduct physician reviews - by a licensed Maine doctor - before denying benefits or reducing payments using AI, covering medical necessity, provider judgment, and health impacts. Carriers must submit quarterly reports to the state on AI-related denials and appeals, with annual summaries by the state bureau starting in 2027. The bill applies directly to insurers, healthcare providers submitting claims, and policyholders affected by coverage decisions.