Sen. Marianne Moore

Maddy summaryLD 256 creates a sales tax holiday in August for specific school-related purchases in Maine. It exempts from sales tax school supplies costing $50 or less per item (like books, notebooks, and writing tools) and one electronic device per purchaser costing $700 or less (such as laptops or tablets specifically for school use). The exemption applies only during August each year, beginning in 2026, and excludes cell phones. This directly affects Maine residents buying eligible items for the upcoming school year during August. The policy changes the tax treatment for these specific purchases during a defined monthly period.

Maddy summaryLD 687 proposes that Maine assert state ownership and jurisdiction over coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles from shore and over submerged lands and marine resources (like fishing or mining) up to 24 nautical miles offshore. The bill directly affects Maine's authority over these coastal zones and would require the Attorney General to study the legal implications of claiming ownership beyond the standard 12-mile international limit. Key provisions include the state's formal assertion of rights within these boundaries and a mandated legal study on sovereignty over marine resources beyond 12 miles. This is a procedural step to explore Maine's potential claims, not an immediate change to current law.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative resolution designates May 4-10, 2025, as Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Awareness Week. It aims to raise public and medical awareness about TD - a movement disorder caused by long-term antipsychotic medication use - particularly affecting individuals with mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder who require such treatment. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but encourages healthcare providers and patients to prioritize routine TD screenings, as recommended by medical guidelines, to address the high rate of undiagnosed cases. It symbolically supports early detection efforts without imposing new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative resolution (SP 422) formally recognizes April 18, 2025, as World Amateur Radio Day to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union. It directly acknowledges Maine's approximately 4,500 licensed amateur radio operators (ham radio volunteers) and their contributions. The resolution highlights their role in emergency communications during disasters and their public service at community events like marathons and races, though it has no legal effect or policy changes - only symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maine's Clean Election Act to include candidates for sheriff and district attorney, who were previously excluded. It amends definitions in the law to explicitly allow these candidates to participate in the public financing system, which provides state funds for campaigns in exchange for limiting private donations. The change takes effect for elections beginning in 2028, aligning sheriff and district attorney races with the existing system for governor, state senator, and state representative candidates. The bill makes no changes to how the system operates for current participating offices, only extending eligibility to these new positions.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law), not a bill with new policies. It asks the Maine Legislature to support reviewing state policies for effectiveness in helping family caregivers, professional caregivers, and those receiving care. It also designates February 21, 2025, as National Caregivers Day in Maine. The resolution acknowledges the significant unpaid care provided by Maine's 166,000 family caregivers but does not create new programs or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for changing place names in Maine that are found to be offensive by the Maine Human Rights Commission. It creates a new Maine Board on Place Names, composed of eleven members representing diverse fields such as history, linguistics, and civil rights, to advise local governments on renaming. When a name is deemed offensive, local officials are required to consult with this board and follow its procedures to select a new name within a six-month timeframe. The legislation also mandates that these changes be communicated to various state and federal agencies to ensure the new names appear correctly on maps and official documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing legislation to increase oral health services by adding funding for two permanent positions within the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The new roles, a Public Health Educator and a Planning and Research Associate, will focus on rural health and primary care to support oral health initiatives. The amendment also removes a specific provision that allowed the legislature to create new laws based on findings in an annual report, noting that such authority already exists. Financially, the bill allocates approximately $187,737 for the 2023-24 fiscal year and $196,682 for 2024-25 to cover salaries and other costs for these positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants free admission to state-owned parks, historic sites, camping areas, and beaches for members of federally recognized Indian nations, tribes, or bands in Maine. To use this benefit, eligible individuals must show a tribal identification card approved by their respective tribal government to park staff. The legislation clarifies that the exemption applies to more than just parks and includes camping areas and beaches, while specifying the exact identification process required for entry.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to raise the monthly personal needs allowance for residents of nursing facilities to $70 and for those in residential care facilities to $100 by January 1, 2025. The bill also mandates that these allowances automatically increase every year based on the Consumer Price Index, ensuring the amount never decreases even if inflation is negative. To fund these changes, the legislation appropriates specific amounts from the state's General Fund and the Federal Expenditures Fund to cover the increased payments.