Sen. Nicole Grohoski

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Maine's state-municipal revenue sharing by raising the percentage of specific tax revenues allocated directly to towns and cities. Starting January 1, 2026, municipalities will receive 5.5% of monthly tax receipts from certain state taxes (including sales and excise taxes), increasing to 6% beginning January 1, 2027. Twenty percent of each month's allocation must be sent to the Disproportionate Tax Burden Fund for distribution to municipalities facing higher tax burdens relative to their revenue. The change affects all Maine municipalities receiving state revenue sharing funds, providing them with more predictable and increased annual funding.

Maddy summaryLD 409 would adopt the Interstate Massage Compact, allowing Maine-licensed massage therapists to practice in other participating states without obtaining additional licenses. This directly affects licensed massage therapists in Maine who wish to work across state lines. The key mechanism is the compact’s mutual recognition of licenses among participating states, eliminating the need for therapists to undergo separate state licensing processes. The bill does not change Maine’s current licensing requirements but facilitates easier interstate practice for qualified professionals.

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 summaryMaine's legislature has passed a resolution (SP 173) applying to Congress to call an Article V convention for proposing a constitutional amendment on campaign finance reform. The resolution specifically targets issues like money's role in elections, corruption risks, and the *Citizens United* Supreme Court decision, but only if Congress fails to propose such an amendment by December 2026. Maine's application is part of a broader state effort to reach the required 38 states (two-thirds) for a convention, though it does not commit Maine to support any specific amendment. This is a procedural step - Maine is not creating new law but seeking to initiate a federal constitutional process.

Maddy summaryLD 207 removes a requirement for cash contributors to participating candidates in Maine's Clean Election program. Specifically, it eliminates the need for contributors to sign a form affirming they used personal funds for cash contributions. This change simplifies the process for candidates receiving cash contributions, as they no longer need to collect these signed forms. The bill directly affects candidates enrolled in Maine's public financing system and their cash donors under the Clean Election Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force to study how state and local governments in Maine can share the costs of training first responders. The group will consist of 18 members representing various organizations, including fire chiefs, police associations, and municipal leaders. The legislation does not change current reimbursement rules but instead creates this committee to examine the issue further before any laws are passed. The task force must submit its report by the first Wednesday in November to ensure timely consideration of the matter.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that cannabis businesses in Maine receive the same state energy rate relief and tax exemptions as other eligible commercial entities. It requires the state to provide monetary payments to cannabis businesses that were previously denied assistance because their industry status made them ineligible for certain federally funded programs. Additionally, the legislation mandates that cannabis businesses receive energy rate relief payments equal to what they would have received if they were not engaged in cannabis-related activities. The bill also updates legal definitions to clarify that cannabis production counts as commercial agricultural activity and specifies which funds will be used to reimburse these businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands free admission to Maine state parks and historic sites to include the spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children of veterans and active-duty military personnel. It requires the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to work with the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management to issue free day-use passes to these qualifying individuals and their immediate families. The legislation defines immediate family members specifically as spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children, ensuring that these groups receive the same free entry benefits as the service members themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state's special education funding formula to change when a specific funding threshold takes effect. Instead of the originally proposed start date of fiscal year 2022-23, the new minimum state share of 55% for certain school districts will begin in fiscal year 2024-25. Additionally, the legislation removes a requirement for the Department of Education to review and report on these specific school administrative units. These changes directly affect how state funds are distributed to school districts providing special education services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Maine to issue up to $50 million in bonds to fund a competitive grant program for upgrading municipal culverts at stream crossings. The funds are intended to help local governments, conservation commissions, and nonprofit organizations replace or improve these structures to enhance fish and wildlife habitats while increasing community safety during storms and floods. Eligible projects must demonstrate how they restore habitats for species like brook trout and salmon, and the money is distributed through a competitive process managed by the Department of Environmental Protection. Any remaining unspent funds after the projects are completed will be used to pay off existing state debt.