Sen. Stacey Guerin

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the second full week of May each year as "Dark Sky Week" in Maine. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging citizens and schools to observe the week through activities and study focused on preserving dark skies and reducing light pollution's impact on spring bird migration. The bill does not create new regulations or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of environmental awareness.

Maddy summaryLD 1881 ensures parents of minor children in Maine schools have specific rights regarding their child's education and well-being. It requires schools to provide parents access to all school activity information, health records, instructional materials (including virtual learning content), and health screening forms before they are given to students. Parents may also refuse their child’s participation in non-educational activities or request alternatives, while schools cannot adopt policies that block parental notification about a student’s health or discourage parental involvement in critical decisions. The bill includes an exception allowing schools to withhold information if disclosure would risk child abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative resolve establishes a 2-year pilot program to increase youth hunting participation, directly affecting young hunters in Maine. It requires the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to create expanded youth hunting seasons (including spring turkey, bear, and dog hunting days) and implement outreach through social media campaigns, school partnerships, and community events. The program mandates annual reporting to the legislature on participation data, stakeholder feedback, and conservation impact, with potential for future legislation based on findings.

Maddy summaryLD 1441 establishes a 10-member commission to study recreational access in Maine, focusing on public and private lands in the unorganized territory (areas not part of incorporated towns) and key outdoor recreation destinations. The commission - appointed from landowners, recreation businesses, conservation groups, and state agencies - will gather input from stakeholders to assess current access challenges and explore financial incentives for landowners to allow public access. It must submit a report with recommendations by December 3, 2025, to the Agriculture Committee, which may then propose legislation based on the findings. This resolution does not change existing laws but sets up a study to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryLD 1532 expands Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) outdoor education programs to reach more students and communities. The bill allows DIFW to partner with schools and third-party locations (like community centers) to offer programs that count toward secondary school curriculum requirements. By January 2026, DIFW must secure at least three geographically diverse locations statewide and collaborate with the Department of Education to develop curriculum for these programs. Participating schools can host programs on-site or at partner locations, and the program is open to public school students, homeschoolers, and the general public. DIFW must report on program locations and effectiveness to the legislature by November 2026.

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 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 bill establishes Maine's Hope and Inclusion Scholarship Program, providing state-funded scholarships for students attending approved private schools or receiving home instruction under state education law. It creates "hope accounts" managed by a state board to cover qualifying education expenses (like tuition or materials) for eligible students who are Maine residents under 21 and not primarily enrolled in public schools. The program requires parents to apply for accounts, with funds renewed annually if students meet residency, age, and educational enrollment criteria. The Hope and Inclusion Scholarship Board, composed of state officials and community members, administers the program per the bill's provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts business equipment valued at $50,000 or less from Maine's property tax, directly affecting small and medium-sized businesses that own such equipment. It prohibits municipalities from imposing any local tax on this equipment, covering items like office furniture, repair parts, and business machinery. The exemption applies to property tax years beginning April 1, 2026, and requires the state tax bureau to provide guidance to municipalities and businesses on implementation. The bill does not affect equipment over $50,000 or other existing property tax exemptions.

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.