LD 2096 Maine House · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act Regarding Scheduling Of Agricultural Fairs And Pulling Events

This bill modifies Maine's rules for agricultural fairs by extending the window for qualifying events from 24 to 48 hours before official fair dates. It allows fair licensees to host events for awarding prizes during this extended period, while clarifying that events held within one week of assigned fair dates are considered outside the designated fair period. The amendment specifically excludes livestock, poultry, youth livestock, and pulling events from the 48-hour rule, and permits the Department of Agriculture to use Stipend Fund money to reimburse licensees for educational workshops and demonstrations without requiring premium payments for competitions. These changes directly affect agricultural fair licensees and the Department of Agriculture's fund distribution process.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Mar 23, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-823) READ and ADOPTED.
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM
legislature
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY in concurrence
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY.
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors